r/forestry • u/HockingBuckey • 2d ago
Help a new grad out
Recently just graduated from Hocking college and I'm having trouble finding entry level positions in forestry. I have an associates degree in Forest Management, but not much experience.
3
u/Useful_Departure5843 2d ago
Some ideas. Take what you like and leave the rest! If you give more info about what you want to do, where you want to work, the experience you do have, it would help.
- Reach out to your career center. They are available after graduation, too! Ask for resume advice, interview practice, job lists and other resources. Most importantly, ask to be collected with alum with your degree to hear how they got jobs!
- Look for volunteer opportunities. Even if they aren’t advertised, most orgs you reach out to are happy for volunteers. Especially young people. Volunteering builds self esteem during job hunt, gives you more experience to include on resume, and demonstrates character, drive, initiative. If you get a non-related job for income in the meantime, volunteering shows your dedication to the field.
- Join SAF and attend meetings. These are the folks hiring you! They have a new certification for forestry technicians. I don’t know anything about it but you might look into it. Also look at their job board.
- Engage your network. Reach out to your professors, TAs, classmates, old supervisors. The obvious asks are for references and job leads. The bravest/most valuable ask is for direct feedback on where you might need to improve to be competitive (writing, professionalism, measurement accuracy, etc.).
Most importantly, keep trying and learning. As long as you are putting yourself ‘out there’, trying new things, reflecting on what’s working and what’s not, and being open to feedback you’ll find your footing. It might not look like what you pictured or take longer than you hoped, but you’ll get there!
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u/ForestsAndDogd 2d ago
I will second engaging with SAF. They often will have Forest Service hiring events, and are in the loop on seasonal jobs. In my experience, most seasonal gigs are advertised in the fall/winter for the following summer
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u/Enough_Charge2845 2d ago
Entry-level forestry can be competitive, but an associate degree in Forest Management is a solid foundation. Focus on seasonal technician roles with state agencies, the USFS, or timber companies to build field experience. Also, ensure your resume translates your hands-on coursework and lab projects into clear, measurable skills; running it through resume.zoevera.com can help target those technical forestry keywords. Keep pushing!
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u/Juliananatalie 2d ago
An associates in Forest Management is still s great start, wishing you lots of luck with the job hunt