CR FNR Career Seminar

Sarah is a forester, a business owner and a new mom! She predominately works in our north eastern pine forest of the Cascades. Sarah’s advice is to get involved, be willing to learn and have a good attitude!

A dance teacher in college shared a job announcement with Lyndsey that set her on a trajectory to eventually end up in Siskiyou county implementing fuels reduction projects and coordinating the development of a prescribed fire council. Lyndsey discovered a passion for fire later in her education but has progressively made career choices. Her flexibility, ambition  and ability to dance around in circles made her the perfect fit for the RCD, with endless other options at her reach. We discuss goal setting, over achieving, relationships travel and more.

This summer in the backcountry Dylan found the quote “High as I climb, only as far as I reach” carved into a cabin. Dylan’s path to forestry wasn’t necessarily linear he sort of found his way through taking elective courses at College of the Redwoods. Dyan shares about his first forestry job and the sense of exploration and thrill of painting the future forest.

We listened to several guests with a variety of educational backgrounds this semester. Have you thought about transferring to HSU or another college to earn a Bachelor's degree after CR?  Kailyn can help you with the process. While she is available for individualized appointments we discuss some common questions about transferring from units, to campus environments. Transferring might be part of your goals, or not but Kailyns advice can help you keep this as an option even if you haven't decided yet. 

Mitch is a local forester who started his career at a Community College in Southern California. He came to HSU to study forestry after he was inspired by Smokey the Bear which sparked an interest in working in fire lookouts. While being a forester isn't what he expected it ended up being the perfect match for his love of the outdoors. Mitch shares an internship and scholarship opportunity available now! He gives some interviewing and job application advice including finding a way to demonstrate don't just tell the interviewer about your skills, do a mock interview to gather your thoughts and don't be afraid to ask questions.  He looks out for the next generation of natural resource professionals, sharing some advice, you might not have heard even a dozen interviews. 

Melissa is a consulting biologist in Santa Barbara, California. She conducts a variety of surveys and other field investigations in environmental compliance and planning. Melissa shares advice on negotiating a raise, networking in the time of COVID and how using base skill sets with positive mindsets can propel your opportunities .

This podcast features CR Forestry alumni Joe Snipes. Joe and his business partners own two companies based in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties- HumBots and Forestscapes. Joe and his crew works in fuels reduction enhancing forest health and community resiliency to wildfire. In his other environmental technology business they utilize UAV drones, LiDAR and multispectral imagery to help manage natural resources.  Listen to this young and enthusiastic entrepreneur's advice about doing a job you love outdoors, taking risks and ultimately being persistent to reach your goals. 

After years in the hotel industry Sarah made the jump to natural resources choosing to study Botany at Humboldt State. Her passion for plants and happy happenstance networking landed her a seasonal position at Redwood National Park. Now she is earning her Masters at Humboldt enjoying the unique biology courses offered by the biodiversity our region offers. She says to not be discouraged by learning scientific names and shares that she took a chance with her first seasonal field experience and reaped the benefits tenfold. 

They told him there weren’t any jobs in forestry.  But Jed carved out an innovative position with a family owned forestry company on Oregon's North Coast.   This job is an example of the creativity and independence a career in forestry and natural resources can offer. Jed started out working in the skies and ended up with his boots on the ground in Oregon’s forests.  Listen in as we hear about his innovative pollinator project and his non-traditional career path.

Follow your interests and good opportunities should come your way! Lizzie is a forester who moved to Humboldt County after studying forestry and business at UC Berkeley. She is a member of the CR Forestry Advisory Committee and manages the @realwomenintimber Instagram account.   Originally from LA, she works in a truly interdisciplinary role in timber finance, the intersection of business, economics and forestry. The opportunity to work outdoors and the quality of life provided by rural community like Humboldt brought her here.  In this podcast she shares her private industry tips for writing professional resumes, cover letters and networking. Some of her key tips for the private sector (we will talk federal resumes later) include submitting a cover letter, even if it’s not required. It shows the employer you are interested, and allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the position you are applying for. She also urges us to be genuine and use our resumes to share with your employer who you are and why you are a good fit for the position.

This week we meet Russell Dorvall a Log Procurement Manager. Russ has a long family history of working in forestry and natural resources and has worked in many facets of this industry. He was a student at College of the Redwoods only a few years ago.   Listen in as Russ gives some great advice about the word of mouth nature of some of this industries job announcements. He also describes the value of finding good mentors and listening and learning long after school ends.  He tells us there are opportunities out there waiting. Having a good work ethic, the ability to work in both a team and alone, and a can do attitude can help get you there. Russ shares some advice he has been given is that the work you do at any job is like a job interview for another position. Learn as much as you can and for like you are earning more than a paycheck. Your reputation is important in this industry and a good one can help you excel. 

This episodes severs as an introduction to the course this semester. You will get to know me, your professor and a little about what guided me to this position at College of the Redwoods. 

Dustin was born and raised in Arcata, CA. He graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Rangeland Resource Science and quickly landed back in Humboldt County working for that Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). His work helps conserve privately owned landscapes and improve ecosystems. Dustin primarily focuses on our annual grasslands/rangelands, but NRCS works on all different kinds of landscapes.  Dustin is a member of the “Cal-Pac” Society of Range Management and Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association. Dustin works on a wide variety of projects: His work involves oak woodland restoration, road improvements to reduce sediment impacts in waterways, grazing management, and map making.  Listen in as Dustin talks about the internship programs in the federal system, volunteer opportunities and scholarships available for range students.  Dustin says “People really do take care of the environment. You know, they want to take care of the land that takes care of them.”

Tiffany describes the many spokes in the wheel that makes up the big picture of your job in Forestry. She  has worked her way up to the role of District Forester for Roseburg Forest Products. Tiffany talks about her experience earning an AA in Forestry in Pennsylvania and moving West to Oregon.  Listen in as she suggests exploring your interests, to see what excites you in a career. This podcast segment introduces us to several topics, or wheel spokes we will cover in this podcast series including diversifying your job search, safety, career skills and thinking about your previous work experience in professional terms for adding it to your resume. Your previous work experience can be applicable if you word it the right way.