Hi! I’m Charlotte, and today I’m going to be sharing my top 5 favourite things about my job as a Silviculture Summer Student at Canfor, and why you too would love to work in the Forest Industry!
1. Adventures outdoors
Undoubtedly my favourite part about working in forestry is the time I get to spend outdoors. As someone who is passionate about spending time in nature, the fact that I get to do so while getting paid is like a dream come true. I have had the opportunity to see some amazing sights that I would have never otherwise discovered. From lakes to waterfalls there are always more adventures to be had. Also, spending a lot of time in the forest exposes you to many exciting wildlife encounters, such as grizzly bears, deer, moose, birds, and many more, which are always a cool sight to see.
2. Staying active
Having a job that is physically challenging and keeps you active is another thing I very much enjoy about working in forestry. Often, days out in the field can be exhausting after walking for several kilometres. However, I find this feeling of exhaustion comes with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment at the end of the day. The physical exercise allows you to stay in shape at work, instead of being restricted to an office chair! This sets you up for a healthy lifestyle, gives you positive endorphins from the exercise and puts you in prime condition for your personal active life!
3. No two days are the same
For people entering the workforce, the idea of doing one job for 40 plus hours a week can feel uninspiring. I was pleased to discover that my job as a forestry field assistant allows me to constantly be challenged with new things. I can confidently say that no two days I have worked in this job have been the same. I love the balance and variety of having office and field days. In one given week I could be in the office answering emails, and then flying in helicopters checking tree planting, or staying in a remote camp. This allows me to never be bored and makes me excited to come to work every day and learn new things.
4. Connections and friendships
Before I started working in forestry, I had no way of knowing that the mentors, colleagues and friends I would meet in this industry would become people who I have strong connections with that inspire me as I move forward in my career. Forestry in BC has a homey feeling to me, as everyone has a connection somewhere. Working in a culture where people support each other, are passionate, motivating and hardworking, motivates me to be better in all aspects of my career and my life. I have had amazing mentors who have helped me grow on my career path and have met my best friends.
5. Career diversity
Since forestry is such a multi-disciplinary field, there is a multitude of different career paths and opportunities you could find yourself on. People who hold the designation of Registered Professional Forester (RPF) can have careers working for large licensees like Canfor, provincial or federal governments, universities, Indigenous groups, community forests, policy making and many more! There are always more opportunities for growth and different perspectives to consider. This excites me as a young professional knowing my degree and my work experience can be a jumping off point for a future career path that I’m passionate about and that can make a profound difference for Canada’s forests at the local and national level.
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