Your degree in Forestry

Skills you’ll develop

By studying Forestry, you’re joining an accredited program where graduates are eligible to become registered professional foresters. You are gaining the essential skills to make real change in our forests. You learn about a broad spectrum of topics in natural sciences, natural resource management, and technological fields to focus on the sustainable management of forests.

You’ll develop essential skills to evaluate the importance of ecological, environmental, and economic functions of the forest ecosystem and how sustainable forest management contributes to mitigating the effects of climate change.

These skills may include:

• Planning and evaluating forest management approaches, silvicultural systems, and stand dynamics through experiential learning
• Connecting forest plant biology knowledge to the structure, diversity, and development of trees and other plants
• Understanding of basic principles of geomatics, surveying, and forest access management
• Applying methods of forest measurements and biometrics to existing problems in the forest ecosystem
• Technical skills in statistical concepts and specialized software such as GIS
• Developing innovative approaches to forest management for First Nations, communities, and industry
• Developing, implementing, and analyzing sustainable forest policy, as well as forest management designs to identify and integrate economic, social, and environmental objectives
• Assessing forest health and usage through understanding biotic and abiotic disturbances and their ecological effects.
• Familiarity with basic and innovative tree measurement techniques, such as remote sensing
• Using multidisciplinary approaches to forestry and land usage to evaluate the production, distribution, and consumption of forest resource goods and services
• Practical problem solving of economic issues related to forestry and conservation, including investment analysis, capital budgeting, non-timber economics, ecosystem services, and forest certification

Career possibilities

Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including community or First Nations forest management, forest engineering, surveying, consulting, policy, sustainability, education, and others. Upon graduation and with appropriate work experience, you can apply to the certification process to become a Registered Professional Forester and/or Professional Engineer.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.

Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.

Make the most of your degree

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your understanding of your values and interests.

• UBC Forestry Co-op Program
  Gain paid work experience related to your degree by alternating academic terms with work terms through the Co-op Program.
• Work Learn Program
  Develop valuable skills through a part-time, on-campus job and grow your professional network.
• Forestry Digest
  Sign up to receive weekly updates about paid and volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and more.
• Forestry Tri-Mentoring Program
  Connect with peers and industry mentors around career interests and build your communication and networking skills.
• UBC Sustainability programs and clubs
  Browse on-campus paid and volunteer opportunities related to sustainability.
• Common Energy UBC
  Join 1 of 6 action teams to implement sustainability initiatives and practices into all aspects of the UBC community.
• Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) Vancouver Section
  Join members of the CIF for monthly presentations on key topics related to the field of forestry.
• Women in Engineering UBC (WiE UBC)
  WiE UBC is a student-run organization that promotes gender diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering.
• Let’s Talk Science
  Connect with educators and youth to deliver STEM learning experiences in school and community settings.
• Sustainability Ambassadors
  Develop collaboration and leadership skills through an on-campus volunteer role.
• Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions internships
  Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world settings through climate change mitigation or adaptation projects.
• Departmental events
  Network with Forestry students and faculty members at a variety of events.
• Departmental research opportunities
  Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions.
• Go Global
  Learn more about international study and research opportunities recommended for Forestry students.
• Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW)
  ESW is an international non-profit network of individuals united by their shared passion for technical sustainability.
• Haida Gwaii Institute Semesters
  Take immersive, UBC-accredited courses in Haida Gwaii, BC, on topics including Natural Resource Science, Marine Conservation, Community Resilience, and more.
• NSERC Undergraduate Research Awards
  Receive funding to work on research-related jobs and projects.
• Sustaingineering
  Join a multidisciplinary team to tackle global sustainability issues through technology.
• UBC Student Environment Centre
  Access funding for projects that address environmental and sustainability issues.
• Volunteer and internship opportunities
  Browse various resources to gain local and international experience.
• Women in STEM Summit
  Participate in the annual Women in STEM summit and get inspired by the stories of industry thought leaders.
• Canada Summer Jobs Program
  Check out summer jobs for full-time students. 
• Federal Student Work Experience Program
  Apply for government positions across Canada through this student recruitment initiative. 
• Government volunteer and internship positions
  Find local and international opportunities to prepare you for future employment.

Build your network

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

• Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC
• Assembly of First Nations
• Association of BC Forest Professionals
• Association of Consulting Engineering Companies Canada
• BC Public Service
• Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades, and Technology
• Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists
• Canadian Institute of Forestry Vancouver
• Canadian Society for Professional Engineers
• Clean Energy BC
• College of Applied Biology
• Connecting Environmental Professionals Vancouver
• ECO Canada
• Energy Council of Canada
• Engineering Institute of Canada
• Engineers and Geoscientists of BC
• Engineers Canada
• First Peoples’ Cultural Council
• Forest Products Association of Canada
• Government of Canada
• Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada
• United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO)

Connect with alumni on Linkedin

Find UBC Bachelor of Science in Forestry graduates on Linkedin to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.

More information

From your Forestry degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Forestry degree.