Kara Brust
Port St. Lucie,FL
Summary
As a Summa Cum Laude college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a minor in art history, I intend to complete my path to become an experienced horticulturalist.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Horticultural Installation Technician
Naturahq
Tampa, FL
09.2022 - 08.2023
- In charge of many responsibilities including the care, organization, and maintenance of 6 greenhouses worth of living plant inventory.
- Assisted in designing and installing plant many various displays for multiple companies (ex. Moffit, Heritage Living, Hospice, Principal Insurance, the Tampa Convention Center, Wyndham Hotel and Resort, etc).
- Prepared plants for installation by pruning, cleaning, and treating for pests before driving large box trucks with plants to be replaced or installed as a new project
- Managed an assigned route, caring for hundreds of plants in a rotating schedule over a continuous two-week period
- Prepared plants to survive traveling over multiple shipping days to areas all over the world.
Botanical Gardens Design Internship
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL
12.2021 - 05.2022
- Took charge of redesigning and planning garden beds showcased to the public.
- Took meticulous photographs of locations to support the preplanning phase of garden designs.
- Analyzed site-specific soil samples unique to each garden bed, determining which foliage would best be suited for each project
- Spent time creating ceramic plaques for categorizing plant species and creating unique ceramic pots to sell and use for display
- Skilled in outdoor landscaping tasks involving propagation of diverse plant species, precise pruning for desired shapes/designs and repotting. Proficient at creating attractive displays by pairing plants according to height, color and environmental needs.
Observational Teaching Internship
Riverview High School - University of South Florida College of Education
Tampa, FL
08.2020 - 12.2020
- Responsible for observing high school educators and students attending courses at Riverview High School.
- Maintained accurate records of all activities performed throughout internship period.
- Identified areas for improvement, narrowing focus for decision-makers in making necessary changes.
- Supervised afterschool activities including tutoring sessions or special interest groups.
- Instructed classes in accordance with established curricula guidelines.
- Maintained accurate records of student performance and attendance.
- Established clear expectations for behavior in the classroom.
- Assisted with event planning, support and execution of virtual and in-person engagements.
Head Hostess
Barbara Jean’s On The Water
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
02.2018 - 08.2019
- Greeted customers and provided them with menus.
- Maintained a clean and organized dining area.
- Verified reservations and wait times with customers.
- Managed seating coordination by prioritizing patterns, processed phone orders, prepared food for pickup, trained new hosts and oversaw table bussing.
Volunteer Office Assistant
Junior Achievement
Jacksonville, FL
11.2018 - 05.2019
- Organized files and educational materials, crafted spreadsheets for organizational data.
- Assisted with designing individualized lesson plans for classrooms and actively participated in the preparation and management of numerous children's educational banquets.
- Performed data entry tasks into various computer systems accurately and efficiently.
- Managed office supply inventory by tracking orders and ensuring adequate stock levels are maintained at all times.
Assistant Greenhouse Caretaker
Ponte Vedra High School - Biotechnology Greenhouse
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
08.2018 - 05.2019
- Maintained oversight of plant maintenance activities including germinating genetically modified seedlings from classwork, following a watering schedule, and administering fertilizers to all greenhouse plants.
- Managed irrigation scheduling, oversaw pest control measures, and ensured greenhouse sanitation.
Club Treasurer
Ponte Vedra High School - National Art Honor Society
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
08.2016 - 05.2019
- Oversaw and advised the use of club budget and the collection of dues
- Responsible for gathering and documenting information regarding club members' participation, including voting patterns, attendance logs, and financial contributions.
- Served as a valuable contributor to monthly meeting planning alongside board members
- Managed logistics and arrangements for an annual visit to the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville, FL, catering to around 150 students.
Painters Workshop Assistant
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach Painters Workshop Assistant
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
07.2018 - 09.2018
- Provided and distributed art supplies to the class, kept the room clean from spills of paint and charcoal.
- Contributed to instruction of artistic techniques to class attendees and participated as a live model for adult learners.
- Ensured proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste from the workshop area.
- Encouraged students to think critically about artwork and discuss its meaning or purpose.
- Conducted one-on-one tutorials with struggling students who required additional assistance.
- Collaborated with other teachers on curriculum development related to Art classes.
Volunteer Kids Camp Counselor
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
01.2016 - 02.2018
- Played an instrumental role in the care of children aged 4-9, ensuring their well-being at Kids Art Camps.
- Implemented diverse methods for instructing in multiple art techniques, while supporting other counselors in delivering lessons on art history and studio art.
- Prepared meals for large groups of people while adhering to dietary restrictions if necessary.
- Collaborated with co-workers to develop creative ideas for team building exercises within groups of campers.
- Ensured that all areas of the campsite were clean and sanitized before each activity period started.
- Maintained accurate records of attendance, medical forms and incident reports.
- Established a safe environment for participants by monitoring their behavior, enforcing rules and resolving conflicts.
Education
Certification - Landscape Maintenance And Horticulture Design
Indian River State College
Ft. Pierce, FL05-2024
Bachelor of Arts - Studio Arts
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL05-2023
High School Diploma -
Ponte Vedra High School
Ponte Vedra, FL05-2019
Skills
- MS Office Products
- Adobe Premiere-Pro
- HTML5
- Design Research
- Garden Design
- Greenhouse Operations
- Soil Management
- Plant identification
- Aquaponics Knowledge
- Analytical Skills
- Pest identification
- Irrigation Systems
- Ornamental horticulture
- Task Prioritization
Certification
First Aid Certification
CPR Certification
Accomplishments
· North Florida Scholastic Art and Writing, 2 Gold Key Awards
· Underclassmen Portfolio Development Award, Ponte Vedra High School
· Underclassmen Web Development Award, Ponte Vedra High School
· 4.0 Minimum GPA Recognition, Ponte Vedra High School
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Horticultural Installation Technician
Naturahq
09.2022 - 08.2023
Botanical Gardens Design Internship
University of South Florida
12.2021 - 05.2022
Observational Teaching Internship
Riverview High School - University of South Florida College of Education
08.2020 - 12.2020
Volunteer Office Assistant
Junior Achievement
11.2018 - 05.2019
Assistant Greenhouse Caretaker
Ponte Vedra High School - Biotechnology Greenhouse
08.2018 - 05.2019
Painters Workshop Assistant
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach Painters Workshop Assistant
07.2018 - 09.2018
Head Hostess
Barbara Jean’s On The Water
02.2018 - 08.2019
Club Treasurer
Ponte Vedra High School - National Art Honor Society
08.2016 - 05.2019
Volunteer Kids Camp Counselor
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach
01.2016 - 02.2018
Certification - Landscape Maintenance And Horticulture Design
Indian River State College
Bachelor of Arts - Studio Arts
University of South Florida
High School Diploma -
Ponte Vedra High School
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