County College of Morris (CCM) has a reputation for sending highly educated students to top-tier institutions to work on their bachelor’s degree and Caroline Sutton, of Glen Ridge, fits the mold perfectly.
Trying to stay with her family’s tradition, Sutton started at Kutztown University as a graphic design major. After a year, however, she realized that she preferred to get her hands dirty rather than sit behind a desk all day.
“I came home for the summer and did a lot of gardening,” says Sutton. “After talking to a woman who ran her own landscaping company, she recommended CCM because of its amazing programs.”
Sutton enrolled in CCM as a landscape design major but changed to turf management, another horticulture based major that suited her better.
Her hard work and dedication paid off when she was awarded an internship at Walt Disney World through the Disney Professional Internships program in horticulture. For the entire summer, Sutton was able to work at the place where dreams come true. She shadowed other gardeners, learning how to keep every piece of the park in tip-top shape. Every day, Monday through Friday, she woke up as early as 3 a.m. to beat the heat and the visitors to ensure that the park's plant life stayed healthy and presentable. After her long shifts, she would enjoy the parks benefits.
“I have so many more connections now because of Disney,” says Sutton. “I’ve met with other students who went through this program and can’t express how amazing this opportunity is.”
Sutton notes that the knowledge she received from CCM has helped her tremendously.
“CCM prepared me greatly for my next step in education,” says Sutton. “The professors helped me strengthen my skills I need for the future.”
Sutton is currently attending Rutgers University where she plans to earn her bachelor’s degree and then start working in the horticulture industry.