My son graduated from the University of Florida Dec. 2016 with a Horticulture of Science degree. After sending out many resumes he got a job managing a hydroponic/green house operation in Palm Beach county working his tail off six days a week but getting valuable experience. Hurricane Irma came through and even though the area didn't catch the brunt of the storm they still received 105 mph winds and it destroyed the business. This unfortunately sent the owner of the business into a tailspin and he forgot to pay his employees along with my son. So after a few attempts at making it work out my son at our suggestion resigned. Getting paid is kinda important when your working 60 hours a week and on your own for the first time in your life. So we moved him (and all his crap in the apartment) back home and he started the job seeking process over again. This week he started a new job at the University of Florida's research station in Immokalee Florida where he is the assistant to a research scientist studying for a cure for Citrus Greening (This is what is currently wiping out the worlds citrus). Studying the enzymes located in the stomach of the insect that is the vector for the disease. So no matter how hard I try I just can't escape from UF and it's involvement in my life and now my sons. Great thing as a father is since he now works for the University he will be eligible in 6 months to further his education at a discounted rate and pursue his Masters degree if he wants. So as bad as this hurts me to say..... Go Gators
Ralph, what stands out to me is that your son must be very competent in his field to be able to land a significant research job in such a short time. For a guy fresh out of college, his future looks bright. Congratulations on raising such a fine young man.
Sid you are very kind, the truth is that he is a very bright young man. He was adamant about getting into the private sector out of college and turned down a couple opportunities he probably should have considered. But he wanted to actually grow food and feed people which he got the experience of doing that. That being said its early in this current endeavor but it sure does seem to be a good fit...And for general reference he does have all of his moms great features and all of my bad ones...I hope he does pursue his Masters as it would be the first one in our family. Thanks again and why oh why did it have to be the Gators, I'll never hear the end of it.... 8)
It seems so right that he's working on a solution to the scourge of the citrus industry. after all, it's had a big impact on you and your farm. How great would it be if he played a part in finding a cure. I wish him all success.
Sorry to hear that your son's first job got wiped out by Irma, but glad he's back on his feet and I'll bet living at home will be a short term situation! In my mid 30's after my divorce I had to live at home for about 2 mos, waiting for a new apartment to be ready to move into. It was rough on both me and my parents. My mom still treated me like I was in HS, worried about how late I stayed out, etc. All were glad when my apartment was ready.
Man you nailed it perfectly with mom's. My wife seems to have gotten even more curious to what, where and why my son is going somewhere since he has been back. To the point that we both can't wait until he can get his own place again so his mom will stop treating him like he is in high school... Most definitely a short term solution... 8)