If you like to work outdoors or enjoy hiking in the woods, you might want to
consider a career in forestry. But, please do not think that a career in this field
is all recreational time. Jobs related to forestry involve everything from hard,
manual labor to administration and from dangerous situations to scientific
research.
There are different levels of forestry jobs; each requiring a different intensity
of education. Level one job can be considered entry level positions. In order to
obtain employment as a forestry worker, aide or technician, you would be
required to have a high school education or a two year associate's degree.
Most level one jobs pay hourly wages and can tend to be on the more
dangerous side. You could be operating equipment such as trucks and dozers,
handling raw timber or cut lumber in a lumber yard or keeping public recreation
areas clean or maintaining road signs at this stage of your career.
You may achieve the title of a professional forester at the level two position.
These jobs require a four year college degree and some states require
experience plus a degree for registration as a professional forester. Managing
timber crops, engaging in computerized site analysis, wildlife management,
wood utilization and administration duties are not out of the question for level
two jobs.
Forestry specialists obtain employment with level three jobs. These careers
require an advanced college degree (past a bachelor's degree). This will enable
a professional forester to become a teacher, researcher or other specialist.
Specific level three careers are: work in hydrology, genetics, ecology, plant
pathology, chemical research, wood technology and university teaching.
Past the educational requirements, there are several personal requirements
that are necessary for having a successful and enjoyable career in the forestry
industry. Outside of working outdoors, you must be able to work with people
and enjoy helping others. You must also have a desire to contribute to the
broad issues of our world ecology and have an interest in trees, plants and
animals. Above all of this, you must be able to adapt to new situations, as they
can arise at a moments notice (i.e. forest fires).
The advantages of working in the forestry industry are vast and wide. If your
educational and personal requirements are in compliance, then your working
conditions will be excellent. You will receive reasonable compensation and very
well could experience longevity with your career. Unfortunately, there are some
disadvantages that could detour individuals from considering careers in this
field. You stand a chance of working by yourself quite often, as some jobs will
isolate you from other people for a considerable amount of time. And, you run
the risk of being involved in some dangerous situations.
Begin weighing out your options. If you are truly interested in working
outdoors, working with people and have an interest in trees and wildlife, then
the forestry industry can be a great environment to earn a respectable living.
As a high school student, take advantage of the course offering in the
agriculture department. Chances are, they have classes that are related to
conservation, forestry, natural resources and wildlife management. A high
school agriculture program is a tremendous place to get started. Do some
research and find out where the closest university is that offers a degree in
forestry and wildlife fisheries. Every state in the country has at least one
college that promotes this program. If you have to begin with simple, low
paying jobs, do it and gain as much experience as you can. The job
opportunities will come to you with time and effort.
Please feel free to copy and paste this article to print for your students to read.
You may also find this article here:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2646149/requirements_for_a_
career_in_forestry.html?cat=31
And, you can find other forestry career resources via the following Squidoo lens:
http://www.squidoo.com/Forestry-Careers
Thanks for reading,
Michael Southerland
Ideas 4 Ag Ed
consider a career in forestry. But, please do not think that a career in this field
is all recreational time. Jobs related to forestry involve everything from hard,
manual labor to administration and from dangerous situations to scientific
research.
There are different levels of forestry jobs; each requiring a different intensity
of education. Level one job can be considered entry level positions. In order to
obtain employment as a forestry worker, aide or technician, you would be
required to have a high school education or a two year associate's degree.
Most level one jobs pay hourly wages and can tend to be on the more
dangerous side. You could be operating equipment such as trucks and dozers,
handling raw timber or cut lumber in a lumber yard or keeping public recreation
areas clean or maintaining road signs at this stage of your career.
You may achieve the title of a professional forester at the level two position.
These jobs require a four year college degree and some states require
experience plus a degree for registration as a professional forester. Managing
timber crops, engaging in computerized site analysis, wildlife management,
wood utilization and administration duties are not out of the question for level
two jobs.
Forestry specialists obtain employment with level three jobs. These careers
require an advanced college degree (past a bachelor's degree). This will enable
a professional forester to become a teacher, researcher or other specialist.
Specific level three careers are: work in hydrology, genetics, ecology, plant
pathology, chemical research, wood technology and university teaching.
Past the educational requirements, there are several personal requirements
that are necessary for having a successful and enjoyable career in the forestry
industry. Outside of working outdoors, you must be able to work with people
and enjoy helping others. You must also have a desire to contribute to the
broad issues of our world ecology and have an interest in trees, plants and
animals. Above all of this, you must be able to adapt to new situations, as they
can arise at a moments notice (i.e. forest fires).
The advantages of working in the forestry industry are vast and wide. If your
educational and personal requirements are in compliance, then your working
conditions will be excellent. You will receive reasonable compensation and very
well could experience longevity with your career. Unfortunately, there are some
disadvantages that could detour individuals from considering careers in this
field. You stand a chance of working by yourself quite often, as some jobs will
isolate you from other people for a considerable amount of time. And, you run
the risk of being involved in some dangerous situations.
Begin weighing out your options. If you are truly interested in working
outdoors, working with people and have an interest in trees and wildlife, then
the forestry industry can be a great environment to earn a respectable living.
As a high school student, take advantage of the course offering in the
agriculture department. Chances are, they have classes that are related to
conservation, forestry, natural resources and wildlife management. A high
school agriculture program is a tremendous place to get started. Do some
research and find out where the closest university is that offers a degree in
forestry and wildlife fisheries. Every state in the country has at least one
college that promotes this program. If you have to begin with simple, low
paying jobs, do it and gain as much experience as you can. The job
opportunities will come to you with time and effort.
Please feel free to copy and paste this article to print for your students to read.
You may also find this article here:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2646149/requirements_for_a_
career_in_forestry.html?cat=31
And, you can find other forestry career resources via the following Squidoo lens:
http://www.squidoo.com/Forestry-Careers
Thanks for reading,
Michael Southerland
Ideas 4 Ag Ed
RSS Feed