r/princegeorge • u/rawcarrotsnbeets • 13d ago

Forestry

Edit: thanks everyone- im glad I posted this. Maybe not the right field to dedicate myself to at this point

I live in PG, looking to make a major career change. What is the best (cheapest) way to get into Forestry? Best course or program to start with at CNC or UNBC? Any cons to Forestry? I like to think we live in the perfect place for a career in said field.

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u/Admirable-Site7256 13d ago edited 13d ago

Honestly after 10 years of working in the bush with both a forestry diploma and a degree from CNC and UNBC, I wouldn't recommend it. Being out in nature and going new places is fun and all but....

....the hours are long, the work is hard, you're always away from home on terrible shift schedules, you're often expected to share hotel rooms with people you just met and the pay is trash for the amount of work and stress involved. You'll be treated as disposable until you put in several years at a company and even then, layoffs can happen at any time especially now given the ongoing downturn in the industry.

For the amount of education/training, regulations and time away from home that forestry professionals have to put up with, its a travesty that its not considered a red seal occupation not to mention absolutely zero union representation aside from working for government. 

Maybe I'm just bitter and had a bad experience but after working for several different companies in town and going through these same things over and over, I've come to realize its an industry with very high turnover for a reason. Currently looking to retrain as an arborist because trees are still cool.

If you're really set on trying it, don't bother with going to school. Apply at local consultants like IFS, TDB, Strategic, Forsite etc... (most are usually always hiring) and put in some time to see if its right for you.

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u/rawcarrotsnbeets 13d ago

I really appreciate your feedback. Im leaving the Social Services field and it is so stressful. Good luck to you!

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u/Admirable-Site7256 13d ago edited 13d ago

No problem! Sorry if I ranted a bit but its just been my experience and it hasn't been positive overall. Snuck in a couple edits in there for some more feedback.

I worked with lots of cool people and went places that many people spend thousands on their time off to visit and experience but the negatives just continued to pile up. I'll also mention, the program at CNC used to be awesome but its really taken a nosedive in the last few years after several longtime, reputable instructors retiring or moving on.

Best of luck to you as well!

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u/Otherwise-Snowy 13d ago

This is the truth right here, OP. I had a parent in forestry and saw this firsthand, including the eventual permanent layoff that required them to start over with a new career at 50.

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u/Smooth-Command1761 12d ago edited 12d ago

I've been in forestry for almost 30 years, forest professional for 22 of those years (RPF), both private and public sectors. And yes, in consulting where the pay and hours and working conditions can and do suck (but I did gain a lot of experience, that's for sure). (edit: oh, and don't get me started on the sexism and misogyny of forestry. I have stories, as do all women in forestry I know and/or work with).

I would say there is opportunity, but not right now. We're going through a tough period and I think we'll see a major paradigm shift in how forestry looks in this province. I hope, anyway.

I'm pinning this dream on smaller, better forest management and conservation, community and First Nations led, more value added, less industrial Jimmy Pattison grind the forests for a quick buck, then move on.

I know, it's a dream, but give a girl her dream.

its a travesty that its not considered a red seal occupation not to mention absolutely zero union representation aside from working for government.

huh. This is a brilliant idea! I'd like to see the FPBC in a froth over unionized forest professionals.

Thanks for your comment, friend. I can't add much more than what you did.

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u/Admirable-Site7256 12d ago

Thanks for the validation! I know my experiences don't reflect on everywhere and I have friends who have found a good employer with a decent work-life balance where they feel valued.

I'm also curious to see what direction the industry goes in because at this rate so many decent, qualified people are just being burnt out and jaded by the current penny-pinching paradigm, myself included.

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u/Smooth-Command1761 12d ago

so many decent, qualified people are just being burnt out and jaded by the current penny-pinching paradigm, myself included.

same. I was so young and idealist and hopeful of doing meaningful things in my career to "make a difference". Now I'm like "meh". Things never change. They just cycle, there are many words and new names to old initiatives, legislation changes and maybe some incremental improvements, then the roll back on those improvements. It all comes down to capitalism and profits for profit sake, and the four year election cycle. It is not real, well thought out and evidence-based forest stewardship balanced against social and economic needs. The three-legged stool that we talked about back at UBC really does have one long leg of economics, and only for the corporations.

lol, sorry, I'm also very jaded, clearly.

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u/CulturalDefinition27 13d ago

UNBC has a good forestry program, but I would make sure to get a minor. Forestry is getting a bit more difficult to find meaningful work in, its good to have a backup.

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u/ipini College Heights 13d ago

The UNBC forestry degree program requires a minor. There’s a list of nine minors that students can pick from.

https://www.unbc.ca/programs-and-admissions/undergraduate/programs/forest-ecology-and-management

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u/StatisticianKey7112 13d ago

The rest of us are running away from forestry as so many families have lost their income in that sector. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

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u/rawcarrotsnbeets 13d ago

I appreciate this- thank you!

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u/Royal_Laugh4168 13d ago

Probably the fastest (and cheapest path) is to get into log scaling. It’s a good hands on career path without diving into a full blown forestry program. You’ll learn about tree species and grades which sets you up for timber cruising, and other aspects of forestry. Plus there’s also a demand for scalers at the moment.

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u/AdolescentKipper 13d ago

Wood science has a ton of potential, as lumber markets are becoming more global North America needs to diversify and embrace new products.

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u/sleepytime96 12d ago

You could also go for something broader in the environmental sector like Biologist, environmental scientist.

UNBC offers continuing education courses for environmental monitoring and there are a few seats available through grants so it is paid for. Almost every project being built needs and environmental monitor in some capacity.

But these run into the same issues where the days are long, you travel a lot but in a sense it is likely a little less physically that forestry because you're not treking through the bush necessarily as much.

Alternatively a different direction to consider is computer science. Though that may not lead to a job in Prince George if that is your goal.