If you're looking for a career that can make real-world impact, plant pathology encompasses global issues important to the the agricultural, biological and environmental sciences.  Many graduates work in areas such as crop science, landscape/ornamentals, turfgrass science or basic research.  Here is a  sampling of areas or jobs where plant pathology training is important:

Agriculture and Horticulture

• Crop production and management; scouting
• Agribusiness management, consulting, economics
• Integrated pest management - technical advising/sales; research
• USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) - animal and plant health; crop/food/port inspection, monitoring of pests and disease
• USDA Agricultural Research Service > Careers
• EPA, FDA, and state Departments of Agriculture:
  inspection, regulatory issues, bioterrorism, food safety, and policy
• Horticulture and landscape industry
• Ornamentals and floriculture industry
• Golf/sports turf management
• Gardens and arboretums
• Industry or commodity associations that direct research, education, communications, policy development, legislative issues

A sampling of career sites to explore:

American Phytopathological Society  -   Career site from USDA and Purdue University

Environmental Sciences

• US Forest Service; agencies involved stewardship of our natural lands
• Research, education, communications, policy development, legislative issues

> Ecology as a Career (Ecological Society of America)

Research

• Colleges and universities; government agencies such as the USDA, FDA, EPA, Fish and Wildlife, Forest Service
• Private industry, including chemical, seed, and biotech companies
• Biology of plant disease and plant-microbe interactions, disease resistance
• Applied research in pest and disease management methods
• Development of chemical and biological control products
• Some students go on to graduate studies in plant pathology and pursue careers in academia or private industry

Education, Extension and Outreach

• Teaching, at all levels
• Extension outreach
• Youth programs such as 4-H, Future Farmers of America, science clubs
• Outreach programs at public gardens and parks, wildlife and nature preserves, science and discovery centers, museums, etc.
  

Annual salary range for entry-level graduates in plant science and related fields: $25,000-$45,000/year (CFAES survey)

Check out CFAES Hire-A-Buckeye Career Site

cfaes.osu.edu/current-students/launch-your-career/