Foresters

One way to explore the field of forestry is to talk with someone already working as a forester or forestry technician. In some parts of the country, local chapters of the Society of American Foresters invite prospective forestry students to some of their meetings and field trips. School counselors and librarians may have literature and information on forestry careers. Also, colleges and universities that offer forestry degrees should have information packets for interested students or offer details on the field on their Web sites.

If you live near forested areas you might be able to find summer or part-time jobs in forestry. Unskilled workers are sometimes used for certain tasks, and this type of work could be a good introduction to the field by providing valuable experience and offering a view of what the job of a forester is really like.

Participate in youth volunteer programs that are offered by environmental organizations. For example, students ages 14 and older can participate in the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Earth Team Volunteers program. Students work at one of the organization's 2,500 offices nationwide in both field- and office-based volunteer opportunities that include planting trees, soil mapping, native grass seeding, and conservation education. Visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/volunteers for more information.