Careers in Forestry
Foresters are conservators, responsible for managing forests for the sustainable supply of timber, water and recreation. Choosing a career in forestry means joining a profession at an exciting and challenging time.
Foresters are called upon to use their training not only to manage forests and plantations sustainably, but also to rehabilitate and reafforest degraded landscapes. Forestry is a sustainable, growth-oriented discipline, dependent on a broad base of knowledge and skills. A career in forestry promises exciting work prospects, from direct involvement in timber production and harvesting, through to planning and managing conservation projects in both developing and developed countries.
Graduate Profiles
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Mathias Chemonges I studied at the University of Melbourne and acquired a Postgraduate Diploma in Forest Science in March 2004 which led to a Master of Natural Resources in April 2006. I was redeployed in Forest Department (now Kenya Forest Service) in Farm Forestry Section in Charge of Monitoring and Evaluation. After a short while, I Joined IUCN, in the Mount Elgon Regional Ecosystem Programme (MERECP). I am a technical advisor providing technical and managerial support with the main task of monitoring and evaluation. The skills and knowledge acquired in the Natural Resource training programme at the University of Melbourne, Land and Food Resources, have been very useful, especially so with my current work. MERECP is a transboundary natural resource programme for the East African Community whose overall purpose is enhancing the conservation status and benefits of the Mt. Elgon Ecosystem for environmental quality. Currently am based in the Uganda Country Office, Kampala. |
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Paul Woods Since graduating with a PhD (Paul's research explored Vietnamese farming techniques which return large areas of bare and eroding hillsides to productive use the planting of bamboo and other trees), I have been working with World Vision Australia. For 5 years I was in a liasion and coordination role, looking after all WVA funded programs in Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Now I am based in Malawi for 12 months where I am coordinating a four country program - southern Africa Food and Nutrition Program, a US$3.8m program to improve nutritional use of indigenous food sources in rural commiunities. There is no doubt that a degree like mine from Melb University opens doors all around the world, in any chosen sphere. |
Veronica Tyquin
Technical Forester, Green Triangle Forest
Bachelor of Forest Science
I’ve always loved climbing trees, but when I chose Forestry as a course, I was really looking at career outcomes. I wanted to work outside, but I also wanted to do something professional where you could use your brain and not just your brawn. I’ve found forestry a really stimulating field to be working in because you get to do research as well as be engaged with the planning of operations.
I’ve just finished my course and am already working in the field. I look after pine forests in Mount Gambier as a Technical Forester with Green Triangle Forest products.
Krystina Kny
Tree Farm Supervisor, Timbercorp, WA
Bachelor of Forest Science
I’ve always loved nature, camping, climbing trees. Growing up, I had the best of both worlds, going to school in the city and with my parents having a property in the country which was just great.
I found it difficult to track down a course that would match my personality. I wanted to work outdoors and not get trapped in an office. In the end I used the VTAC guide to track down forestry and have found that it really is an adventurers’ kind of course.
There are a lot of great career opportunities in forestry, with jobs all over Australia. I now work in Albany in Western Australia with Timbercorp as a tree farm supervisor where we grow blue gums.
Careers in Forestry:
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Forester
Managing forests and their resources and environment. Forests cover large tracts of land and include rivers and flora and fauna communities. -
Pulp and Paper companies
Producing forests to provide the pulp for paper and cardboard production. -
Research
Studying more efficient ways of using forest products; conservation and land management. -
Wood Science
Developing ways to use forest products more effectively through research of wood composition.
Courses in the Forestry Industry:
Undergraduate (view all)
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Environments, with a major in:
- Landscape Management
- Landscape Architecture
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Geographies
- Associate Degree in Forestry Management
Graduate Coursework (view all)
Graduate Research (view all)
Further information on courses or study can be obtained by telephoning the University of Melbourne on (03) 8344 0276 or 1800 815 803 or email courses@landfood.unimelb.edu.au