Who you are matters
Your Forestry degree is just one part of what you have to offer. You also bring skills and knowledge from experiences you’ve had, places you’ve been, and the values you share with family, friends, and community.
Reflecting on your skills and interests can help you make life and career decisions.
- Identify your values (pdf)
Clarifying your interests and values can help you determine career possibilities that are a good fit for you. - Know your strengths
Purchase the CliftonStrengths assessment tool ($28 CAD) using your student email address to identify and describe your talents.
Share your compelling story
Throughout your Forestry degree, you’ll develop specific skills that employers are looking for when hiring graduates, including:
- Application of natural sciences and social science fundamentals to consider complex issues relating to natural resources and the environment
- Leadership and project management, including resource planning and risk assessment
- Creative and strategic problem solving for local and global challenges using an innovative approach, while considering environmental and social impact
- Ability to understand, examine, and synthesize concepts while considering multiple perspectives
- Effective written and oral communication skills to present ideas to a range of audiences
- Data collection, analysis, and interpretation through research within field and lab environments
- Familiarity with specialized tools, equipment, and modern technologies
- Collaboration with others through projects and assignments
- Critical thinking and analysis
Get experience
UBC offers many opportunities for Forestry students to build their careers.
Workplace experience
- Work Learn
Build work experience through a part-time, on-campus job. - UBC Forestry Co-op Program
Work in your area of study while completing your degree. - On-campus jobs
Find student jobs available on campus. - Careers Online
Browse work or volunteer positions on UBC’s online career resources platform. - UBC Forestry Get Hired series
Attend Info Sessions hosted by different employers and organizations looking to hire Forestry students. - Forestry Digest job postings
Browse and apply for work opportunities posted through Forestry’s weekly email newsletter.
Research
From volunteering in a lab to getting a research award, there are many possibilities to build your research experience and prepare for graduate school or a career in research.
Involvement and leadership
- Forestry Undergraduate Society (FUS)
Join your student council to plan events and advocate on behalf of Forestry undergraduate students. - Centre for Community Engaged Learning
Get involved at a local school or non-profit organization. - Student Directed Seminars
Propose, coordinate, and lead your own seminar class for credit. - Student leadership opportunities
Take on a student leadership role with Residence Life, a Peer Program, Orientations, Collegia, and many more campus groups. - Volunteer opportunities for Forestry students
Find opportunities on- and off-campus in the Faculty of Forestry’s weekly email newsletter.
International experience
Living, studying, and working abroad builds traits employers look for when hiring. Show employers you are adaptable, can work independently, and have global experience.
Build your network
Friends, family members, Teaching Assistants, and other people you meet can help you navigate your career questions. Find out possibilities and learn from the experiences, stories, and insights of others.
In the Tri-Mentoring Program, learn about career paths in Forestry by being paired with another Forestry student and a career professional working in your field of interest.
Use your toolkit
- Career events and workshops
- Forestry Get Hired events
- Career resources for students from historically marginalized groups
- Guide to job searching
- Networking strategies
- Tips for resumes and cover letters
- Interview preparation
- Skills inventory worksheet (pdf)
- Mindsets for career confidence (pdf)
- Career advising
Find your specialization
Building your career is an ongoing process. Dig a little deeper into the skills and perspectives graduates from your specialization bring to the world of work.