Careers in Forestry

Forestry offers a tremendous diversity of career opportunities. Many are attracted to forestry by concern for the environment, love of the outdoors, and interest in biological sciences. In South Carolina, one of every ten people is employed in forestry. Perhaps a forestry career is in your future…

Forester

Foresters may be found in the woods, in mills, in offices, laboratories, classrooms, board rooms, even in the halls of Congress. Professional foresters are trained to make management decisions, conduct policy analysis, and apply ecological principles to natural resource management.

A forester holds a minimum of a four-year college degree. Coursework often includes wildlife management, soil science, surveying and engineering, hydrology, and other classes in addition to specialized forestry subjects such as dendrology, mensuration, and silviculture. High school courses in science, math, communications, and computers are good preparation to enter a forestry program.

Clemson University is the only school in South Carolina offering an accredited four-year degree in forestry. For more information about becoming a forester, contact the Clemson University Department of Forest Resources (http://depts.clemson.edu/for).

Forest Technician

Forest technicians often work under a forester's supervision in field collection of data and information that allows complex resource decisions to be made. Technician training emphasizes the more practical aspects of forestry and is aimed at developing skills necessary to carry out field forestry work.

Most forest technicians hold a two-year degree in forest technology. In SC, Horry-Georgetown Technical College (www.hor.tec.sc.us/default.htm) offers the state's only accredited program in forest technology. Central Carolina Technical College (www.sum.tec.sc.us) offers a Natural Resources Management Program for related career opportunities.

Logging

Logging is the business of harvesting trees for manufacture into wood products. Today's logger is a skilled professional, knowledgeable in forest operations, safety, and environmental protection. Entry-level loggers learn their trade on-the-job or as an apprentice, though experience or training with heavy equipment, mechanics, welding, and related skills are often desired. Most loggers must operate and maintain complicated machinery, comply with strict safety regulations, and use specialized techniques to minimize environmental impact.

Forest Products

A full range of manufacturing, and business jobs are available in the forest products industry. Forest industry is the third largest manufacturing segment in South Carolina. Career opportunities exist in the manufacture of paper, lumber, engineered wood products, packaging, pallets, furniture, and many other products. Careers span transportation, logistics, international business, quality assurance, accounting, and all other aspects of harvesting, manufacturing, distributing, and selling forest products. With over 10,000 different products made from trees, the possibilities are endless!

Related Fields

Foresters manage forests, not just trees, and often work with other natural resource professionals. A forester may coordinate with wildlife biologists, soil scientists, hydrologists, entomologists, pathologists, landscape architects, social scientists, economists, and many others to make the best decisions possible. Although specialized education is required to be a forester, foresters are not the only ones who work in forestry.