Plant science departments at many universities face the challenge of maintaining core programs in the face budget shortages, while responding to the needs of the green industry which employs a majority of the graduates. A survey was conducted of national landscape horticulture companies to understand the differences between preparation in academia and preparation in the profession. The results of this study show that employers prefer characteristics of a high quality individual more than specific training or job skills. Furthermore, the results suggest that employers are uncertain as to whether current methods of teaching leadership skills and traditional character development activities are effective.