What job is for me?

Modern multi-purpose forestry is far more than just growing trees for timber. Nowadays it embraces everything from planting and managing large forests, to using woodlands as outdoors schools and recreation areas and, for arboriculturists, managing trees for amenity and landscape.

There are numerous career options depending on your interests and goals.
 

“I certainly wasn’t the oldest on my course – it was full of people who decided to change careers and embark on studying forestry”.

At 37, Tim Lucas might be considered a little older than his contemporaries who have graduated from the Scottish School of Forestry, and certainly one from a very different background. Tim decided he had had enough working as a administrative manager for a bus station in Poole in Dorset and embarked on a BSc in Forestry. His interest in the landscape came on long-distance walks taken in his spare time. Tim has now been offered a permanent job as Assistant Manager with Tilhill UPM in Inverness and feels that his success was partly due to him gaining practical experience with a local surveying firm whilst undertaking his degree. 

“If you’re thinking of starting a career in forestry get some practical experience then some qualifications – just go for it!”

Following a degree in geography at Aberyswyth, Andrew Player found a job as an Administrative Assistant with the Forestry Commission. He always liked the outdoors and working with the Commission inspired him to do a part-time HNC in Woodland Management & Arboriculture at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. He now works as Assistant Woodland Officer with Exmoor National Park Authority. Andrew relishes the variety of the work at the National Park, from supervising woodland contractors to advising local landowners, but most of all for seeing the results of his work on the ground.

“People are so incredibly generous with their time and so willing to pass on knowledge. I want to work as a recreational ranger to help people realise the benefits of woodlands.”

Currently on a mid-year placement of a Foundation degree in Forestry from Newton Rigg, Ros Large is enjoying work with the Forestry Commission in the Scottish Borders. Her love of the outdoors and of trees came from childhood holidays spent in Scotland with a dad who was passionate about cataloging tree specimens. Despite an earlier career in theatre management Ros now relishes the variety of work and the many different people she meets.

“I never thought I’d end up doing this variety of work in forestry – one day I’m herding sheep around the Park and the next dealing with the pressure of so many people who live right on our doorstep in Milton Keynes.”

Anthony Jenner has been a Landscape Officer with Milton Keynes Parks Trust for three years and loves his job. Following a degree in Forestry & Forest Products from Bangor University, he worked for a brief stint with the Forestry Commission but found a real passion for his job came with the variety of work in urban forestry with the Parks Trust.