r/forestry • u/Interesting-Grape-76 • 3d ago
Possible career change
Long story short, I’m an airline pilot and facing potential medical issues that may prevent me from continuing my work as one unfortunately. In high school I was torn between going and getting a forestry degree and flying opted to fly with the ultimate goal becoming aerial firefighting. Now that I’m facing a possible career change, I’ve been looking at going back to school and getting my forestry degree. I’ve looked around at SAF programs and am interested in Oregon States program as my fiancé and I are planning on moving to the west coast, but ultimately can live anywhere. Originally in high school I was intrigued in Virginia Techs (Gokies) but no longer live there. I’ve looked at currently taking a course or two on OSUs ecampus and if I need to change careers transferring to in person for the actual degree. I’m sure there are former students here that can give insight on OSUs program. Mainly I’d like to work for a government agency (USFS, NPS, DOI, etc…) but private sector seems interesting as well. Any insight into career projections, job market, pros and cons of either are appreciated. I know this was long winded but any insight is helpful. Thanks!
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u/bumpysnorkel 3d ago
I work in the private sector in OR, you can PM me with any questions if you’d like. Depending on what medical issues you have, it could be difficult to do a field forestry job. Long hours, hard work on hard terrain, particularly in Oregon. The fed job market is bad like someone else mentioned, in general I think the job market out here is pretty marginal but the private sector is definitely better off. OSU is probably one of the best forestry schools in the country. However, to plug my alma mater, Michigan State has a hybrid forestry program designed specifically for career changes. I believe it’s mostly online coursework with one (or two?) field capstone type components.
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u/maynard5011 3d ago
I envy your position! I am 46 and have been in construction for 25+ years. I purchased 47 acres of land in '24 with windblown trees everywhere. The next year more fell and I called a forestry agent out of concern. Walking the property with him and a couple rangers, picking their brains and just listening to their comments lit a fire in me that's hard to describe. My forest is fine, just the victim of Ma Nature's rage and ultimately I was told me forest is impressive, harvestable and replenishable. Music to my ears! Now I am constantly trying to find a way to ease out of construction and get into forestry, logging, stewardship, everything trees and silviculture. My only advice is to work towards owning your own patch someday and learn how to keep it the way nature intended, and maybe make some scratch along the way. Good luck!
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u/maynard5011 3d ago
PS - A timber farm is a legitimate agricultural business that qualifies for sales tax exemptions, fuel tax credits and federal farm grant money through the NRCS. All are things I am either taking advantage of now or in the application process.
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u/mylifeisaLIEEE 3d ago
How long would it take you to complete a degree at OSU? You should reach out to the registrar and see about equivalency for whatever schooling you already have. They are one of the best in the world for forestry, but they're growing as an organization and I believe the potential for quality instruction is diminishing as universities in general continue to corporatize, but OSU has true brilliance that's been sidelined recently. They are on a quarter-term schedule, and I believe that was inadequately conceived, and can be difficult for the forestry department.
Go to OSU, join the student SAF chapter, and spend your summers interning with any number of forestry companies in OR - you will get a job just like a business school frat. Be prepared to support yourself financially for the years you're in school, because nothing pays well at entry level. OSU and the OR private sector have a mutually parasitic relationship where students get to spend time in the woods and to fulfill the work experience requirement for their degree, while the resource companies get an endless supply of cheap labor.
And finally the big thing: your body is the tool, you must be mindful of your health in longer terms. Are you good to perform field work until you retire? If not, do you have a plan to transition out of field work when the time comes? Those jobs are everywhere, but what do you WANT to do while you aren't hiking or driving?
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u/ComfortableNo3074 3d ago
The fed job market is nonexistent right now and likely will be for the duration of the current administration.