Jonah Read had a few false starts with post-secondary education. It was a summer job that gave him some clarity about what to do with his education and career, however, and it ultimately put him on the path to studying horticulture at NC.

The future looks green for Read as he starts his career and considers more learning opportunities in his field.

We catch up with him to look back and ahead.

 Name:  Jonah Read

Hometown: Hamilton

Age: 24

Academic achievement: Deans’s Award winner, School of Environment and Horticulture, Horticultural Technician Co-op (97% GPA)

How do you feel about receiving the Dean’s Award, achieving the highest GPA in your program?

I am honoured to be receiving this award. It’s a special way to bring my time at Niagara College to a close. It’s also rewarding that my hard work has paid off like this. It was always worth it, but it’s especially gratifying to be acknowledged in this way.

To what factors do you attribute your academic success? What inspires/motivates you to succeed?

I was 22 years old when I began my studies at Niagara College, which was older than the majority of my classmates. By this time, I had already attended two post-secondary institutions, both for two years. I had some successes and failures during those four years, and learned a lot about myself and how to succeed in post-secondary studies. I was motivated to succeed this time around because I knew that I was in a program that was a good fit for me. Something just clicked, and I was determined to give the program everything that I had.

What led you to study at NC and to your program specifically?

I was fortunate to have been hired as a summer student with the City of Hamilton in the summers of 2017- 2019, inclusive. For three summers, I worked in the Horticulture Department, and I really enjoyed working outdoors and beautifying the city. I also felt a sense of wellness and pride in my work. Many of my supervisors at the City attended Niagara College and were able to tell me about the program. These factors ultimately led me to going to Niagara College myself.

What interests you in / why are you passionate about your field of study?

I like plants and trees! I enjoy being outside, working in nature and beautifying the environment. I enjoy solving problems, and the knowledge gained at Niagara College comes into play often. I continue to keep learning; I am passionate about identifying trees, flowers and weed species, and learning best horticultural practices. Niagara College has given me a solid foundation from which I can build as a lifelong learner.

Do you have a specific career goal in mind?

My goal was to obtain a leadership position in horticulture, which I have achieved. NC prepared me for this, as is evidenced by the fact that I went directly from being a student, to starting my position. I am excited to see where my career in horticulture takes me.

How did you find your program experience – any highlights?

There are many things that stand out to me, but the first is the quality of the professors who guided me and instructed me during my two years at NC. The profs were dedicated, knowledgeable, and brought learning to life. I met so many great people, and, while I risk leaving someone out, I would like to thank Mary Jane Clark, Dena Gavin, Bill MacDonald, Michelle Smith, and Paul Zammit. Thanks for everything!

I also really appreciated the hands-on experiences. Obviously, this was more prevalent before COVID, but the hands-on component of the courses prepared me for the work that I am doing now.

Did you work a placement or co-op as part of your program?

I was fortunate to work at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Since my previous experience was with the City of Hamilton, it was good to gain knowledge at a different location. The RBG is a world-renowned garden, and I learned a great deal while practising horticulture in the Hendrie Park. This area has a large rose garden and I learned new pest control and pruning techniques during my time there.

Were you involved in any clubs/ teams or extracurricular activities during your time at NC?

I did a lot of work on the NC grounds in Niagara-on-the-Lake and know the campus quite well by now. I enjoyed the variety of jobs that I was entrusted to do, and the income allowed me to finish my studies with very little student debt. Thanks to greenhouse staff for their leadership, mentorship and flexibility around my academic schedule.

I also was also able to take advantage of the NC “Be World Ready” trip to the Dominican Republic. This was such a great experience! I saw the country in a way that would not be available on a typical tourist trip, and learned a lot about the country’s horticultural practices and native plants. I also learned a lot about privilege; the people of the DR have many challenges that we do not have in Canada. Despite this, they are wonderfully hospitable and optimistic. This trip changed me forever.

What is it like to graduate at this time during the COVID-19 pandemic?

COVID has made life difficult for many people, so overall I feel quite fortunate that it didn’t impact my health or finances. However, it did change the nature of the second year of my program. I found learning horticulture online not nearly as rewarding as in-person classes, which I enjoyed my first year. I found the amount of work overwhelming at times, but soldiered through. I tried not to focus on this, but I did feel badly that we were not able to go to Montreal to see the Botanical Garden.

It is kind of surreal to graduate during a pandemic. Goodbyes and closure didn’t happen the way that I would have liked. I worried about what kind of jobs would be available, and still worry that we haven’t seen all of the economic fallout from COVID. However, I try to focus on the positive and not allow fears and uncertainties to get the better of me.

What does graduating mean to you personally?  

In some ways, I didn’t even have enough time to properly process all of what graduation meant to me. I finished school on a Friday, spent the weekend moving, and started my job with the City of Hamilton the following Monday. It was a bit of a whirlwind.

Now that some time has passed, though, I can share that I am proud of my accomplishments, and am also a bit relieved that the intensity of online learning is over. It was a lot of time spent on screens, which is ironic given I chose the program because it was hands-on and often outdoors. That said, the situation was out of everyone’s control. I am glad that I had the wherewithal to persevere and stick with my studies.

What have you been doing since completing your studies?

I am currently in a Gardener II position with the City of Hamilton, Horticulture Department. I am considering continuing my studies at the University of Guelph, as this is an institution that some of my profs attended. I would like to continue studying horticulture. There is so much to learn.

I also hope that I will be able to remain connected to Niagara College in some capacity. I have valued my time there, and due to the year online, it doesn’t quite feel like I finished. I am not sure what that will look like yet, but I do hope to remain in touch in some meaningful way.