FORESTRY What Can I Do with This Major?

FORESTRY What can I do with this major?

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

FIELDWORK Forest inventory Federal government: Maintain knowledge of current environmental issues Harvest planning Forest service including policy, conservation, and industry trends. Reforestation Fish and wildlife service Be prepared to work with minimal supervision, Fire fi ghting National park service outdoors, in all types of weather conditions. Forest health monitoring Bureau of land management Develop physical stamina, be able to tolerate Forest ecology Natural resources conservation service extensive walking, and be willing to relocate to Wildlife management Heritage conservation and recreation service fi nd employment. Ranger services Geologic survey Learn to map and describe parcels of land using Recreational design/planning Environmental protection agency geographic information systems (GIS) and Urban and community forestry Corps of engineers global positioning systems (GPS). Environmental conservation Bureau of indian aff airs Read publications such as Arborist News, Aborists Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, and City Trees to State government: Lay out logging roads or roads to lakes and learn more about the fi eld. recreational facilities Municipalities Participate in related clubs and organizations like The Create the plans for building wilderness areas Parks and reserves Society of American Foresters or The National Extension services Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Divisions of forestry or natural resources Council to build contacts and cultivate academic Departments of environmental conservation related interests. Private forestry consultants Gain knowledge of the social and cultural factors that Universities aff ect forest management in areas of interest. International: Take courses in communications, horticulture, The World bank landscape architecture, entomology, pathology, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United urban aff airs, and planning to increase market Nations ability in urban forestry. Peace Corps Seek volunteer or paid experiences in forestry or Non-governmental organizations, (e.g., The Nature conservation. Conservancy) Obtain Certifi ed Forester credential through the Private tree care/landscaping companies Society of American Foresters. Utility companies Earn forester certifi cation/registration at the state Consulting fi rms level if applicable. Pulp and paper manufacturers Become familiar with the federal job application Timber companies process for government employment. Botanical gardens Learn a foreign language to increase marketability for Arboretums international employment. (Forestry, Page 2)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

MANAGEMENT Forest Management, (e.g., forest thinning, tree Federal government agencies: Obtain paid or volunteer experiences in planting, restoration, insect and disease Forest Service recreational settings such as a national parks or management ) Fish and Wildlife Service forests. Outdoor recreation National Park Service Maintain knowledge of current environmental issues Range management Bureau of Land Management including policy, conservation, and industry Wildlife habitat hanagement Natural Resources Conservation Service trends. Fire planning/control Heritage Conservation and Recreation Develop strong communication skills including Program analysis Service public speaking, group presentation, and Silviculture Bureau of Indian Aff airs mediation. Agroforestry Corps of Engineers Gain experience with technology and computer Urban forestry State government including: software relevant to the fi eld of forestry, such as Watershed management parks GIS and GPS. Production company land management Take courses in outdoor recreation, park reserves Nation and State Park Management (e.g., oversee administration, or outdoor interpretation. the operation of recreational areas, collect extension services Learn about the sports/leisure, logging/mining fees, issue permits, give talks to groups of Botanical/zoological gardens activities, and wildlife in regions of interest. campers, fi nd lost hikers, and rescue climbers Historical sites Seek information about fi scal procedures, program and skiers) Land management companies design, government regulations, and industry Land appraisers trends. Livestock ranches Join student organizations such as Society of Private consulting services American Foresters and Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation agencies Society Student Chapter to network and cultivate Private landowners academic interests. Be prepared to work with minimal supervision, outdoors, in all types of weather conditions. Develop physical stamina and be able to tolerate extensive walking. Prepare to relocate to fi nd employment. Research the professional certifi cation from The Society for Range Management. Learn about government hiring procedures and seek assistance form campus career centers. (Forestry, Page 3)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

FOREST PRODUCTS (PAPER/WOOD) INDUSTRY Forest engineering Wood, wood products, pulp, and paper Maintain knowledge of current environmental issues Production/Quality control manufacturers, (e.g., International Paper, including policy, conservation, and industry Wood science/utilization Georgia Paciﬁ c) trends. Resource procurement Consumer goods producers, (e.g., Kimberly-Clark) Participate in related clubs and organizations to build Forest management Timber companies contacts and cultivate academic related interests. Research (e.g., bio-based products) Research groups Hone communication and interpersonal skills. Sales Consulting ﬁ rms Acquire strong background in physical sciences Marketing Private landowners such as physics or chemistry and wood science. Public relations Seek experience through internships or volunteer Consulting positions in the paper and wood products industry. Obtain dual degrees in civil engineering and forestry to enter as a forest engineer. Gain experience in sales, marketing, management, or administration to increase marketability in operations. Join the Society of Wood Science and Technology or the Forest Products Society to stay abreast of industry trends. Earn a graduate degree for advanced opportunities in research or management.

EDUCATION AND OTHER Teaching Universities and colleges Earn a Ph.D. to teach at a university. Maintain a Research Local, state, and federal government: high GPA and secure strong faculty Conservation education Parks recommendations. Visitor education E))xtension services Assist a professor with a research project or Landowner education Nature centers complete an independent study course. Public relations Wildlife refuges Participate in summer research programs. Environmental policy/law Youth camps Publish research in a national journal, (e.g., Forest Environmental education centers Products Journal) Law ﬁ rms Maintain knowledge of current environmental issues including policy and conservation. Develop strong communication skills, particularly public speaking and group presentation skills. Join relevant campus organizations and seek leadership positions. Understand the resources and populace of an area of interest. (Forestry, Page 4) AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

EDUCATION AND OTHER CONTINUED

Seek paid or volunteer experiences in a local park, nature camp, or educational center. Become familiar with the federal job application process for government employment. Earn a minor in a communications to increase marketability in that ﬁ eld. Plan to earn a law degree to advance in policy or environmental law.

GENERAL INFORMATION • For entry-level positions, a bachelor’s degree is suffi cient. Some federal and private agency work, consulting positions, and many research positions require a graduate degree. • A minimum of a bachelor's degree in forestry or a related fi eld is required to become a forester. • Voluntary certifi cation is off ered by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and requirements include having completed a professional level (bachelor's degree or higher) education program and having at least fi ve years of professional forestry experience. • Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, or internship experiences in fi eld of interest. • Foresters must be self-reliant and have a high degree of initiative; have an aptitude for science, curiosity, and a strong liking for the outdoors. • Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills. • Maintain up-to-date computer skills and knowledge of specialized tools used in fi eldwork. • Join a student organization or local/state/national forestry association to network and cultivate related academic interests. • Schedule informational interviews or job shadowing opportunities to make contacts in government and industry and to learn more about specifi c fi elds. • Stay current on news in forestry including policy issues, industry trends, and the job market by reading periodicals such as the Journal of Forestry or Forestry Industries. • Develop a knowledge base in academic research related to forestry. • Plan to relocate to national parks, forests, and cities with demand for foresters. • Be prepared to work under minimal supervision. Many foresters advance from fi eldwork to administrative positions.