How the Forestry Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Forests provide a wealth of important resources to the world, including a habitat for wildlife, oxygen production, paper and wood products for human use, and many other things. Unfortunately, forest land is also becoming rapidly depleted due to years of irresponsible use. In fact, 107.3 million acres of the 1.983 billion total acres of land area in the U.S. is developed as of 2002, and that number increases every year as the population increases and cities swell out into previously unused land, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Forestry majors are needed more than ever, as their specialization in forest conservation techniques will help the government and businesses engage in more environmentally-friendly practices. Forestry majors take courses in botany, forest inventory, wildlife organization, and other topics related to expanding their education in responsible forest management. This knowledge, coupled with the internships and volunteer opportunities that many students undertake, provides forestry graduates with the skills needed to immediately enter the field upon graduation.

Best Career Paths for Forestry Majors
With the growing emphasis on reducing the human footprint on the planet, forestry majors will find a host of employment opportunities available. The best career paths for forestry majors are:

• Arborist. Arborists are responsible for the assessment of tree health, diagnosing and treating tree infections and diseases, and other vegetation health issues. They routinely assess forest health, ensuring that there are no issues affecting the growth of the plant life in the area. Businesses, neighborhoods, or individuals experiencing issues with their trees may contact an arborist to assess the situation and determine the cause of the issue. For example, if all the trees in a community suddenly begin dying, the local government may contact an arborist to investigate the reason for the deterioration of the trees, which can be caused by a fungus or soil composition change. Arborists with one to four years of experience earn an average wage of $14.42 an hour, according to PayScale.com, a company that specializes in compensation data. Arborists with additional years of experience typically earn more.
• Forester. Foresters manage the forests of the country for economic, recreational, and environmental reasons. They ensure the health of forests and the surrounding land, routinely checking the trees and other plant life to ascertain whether they are growing normally or experiencing any abnormal changes. Foresters also diagnose existing forest ailments, and develop solutions to combat those issues. For example, if a forester determines that an invasion of pests is choking out healthy forest plant life, the forester may develop a plan to reduce the number of pests. Foresters make an average salary of $53,750, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How to Market Your Forestry Degree
You worked hard to earn your forestry degree, so you should work equally hard to promote the education that your degree represents. When meeting with potential employers, emphasize all of the skills that you built during your college career, such as your diagnostic, analytical, and problem-solving skills. If you participated in internships or co-ops, elaborate on how these experiences helped you to apply your classroom knowledge to the field and the insight you gained about the industry through working. The best way to prove to employers that your education makes you a highly qualified candidate for the position is to show them how the information you learned can be translated into working skills.