They plan and supervise the growing, protection, and harvesting of trees. Foresters often specialize in one area of work, such as timber management, outdoor recreation, or forest economics. A bachelor s degree in forestry, range management, range science, or soil conservation is the minimum educational requirement. Many employers prefer applicants with advanced degrees, and for certain jobs, such as teaching and research, employers require an advanced degree.
All schools encourage summer jobs that give experience in forestry or conservation work.
After gaining experience, they may advance to more responsible positions. In addition to meeting the intellectual demands of forestry, foresters must enjoy working outdoors, be physically hardy, and be willing to move, often to remote places. Projected average employment growth will stem from continuing emphasis on environmental protection and responsible land management.