What can one do with a bachelors in science?

[little lady]

My son graduated in May with a Bachelors in Science with a Major in Forestry and he is still unemployed...surprise in todays economy. He has applied for numerous jobs ranging from Agricultural related to Lawn care and has had nothing but nibbles. So if anyone would have any suggestions, information or tips please pass them on...these student loans are killing us.

 

[vickie gee]

My son graduated in May with a Bachelors in Science with a Major in Forestry and he is still unemployed...surprise in todays economy. He has applied for numerous jobs ranging from Agricultural related to Lawn care and has had nothing but nibbles. So if anyone would have any suggestions, information or tips please pass them on...these student loans are killing us.

Been there. My son went to Panola College and graduated from the forestry program about ten years ago. When he first graduated he went to work "cruising tracts" for one timber buyer after another. Each of them cheated him out of thousands of dollars in commissions. Seems the majority of them either manage poorly, have high maintenance wives, or are just natural born crooks. He forgave and moved on to working for International Paper Company which has recently been sold out to WesFraser (sp ?). He was very active in the safety program, got voted in as a lead by his peers repeatedly (usually a person gets voted out after a year), and is now in management. Still, economy makes things shakey. There have been more and more week long shutdowns lately. Anyway, I don't know if having forestry in his resume actually helped him (or if just his work ethics) but it certainly did not hurt. I would suggest any sort of company that makes products from timber. On the flip side, as a federal employee myself I would suggest going onto USAJOBS. There will be temporary jobs entry level coming up for camping/hiking season soon in the national forests. It takes a while to learn the website. You can search by job title, state, government agency, etc. The applications are graded by computer so correct wording is key to making a score high enough to make the register. You will not get an interview if you do not make the register. Veterans get a 10 point preference. You can also flag several "agents" that will automatically send you job announcements to your email, ie state, job title, agency, etc. That way you are not having to surf for the jobs which are literally thousands to sift through. I would suggest he do searches under forester in title, or maybe go into the agencies of Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, or just do searches in the states he is willing to work in. Doing a statewide search might reveal jobs that his degree would qualify him for even though he might be unaware of the particular agency. Good luck! Send me a personal email if I can help you further. I don't mind at all.

 

[uwharrie]

Lumber companies, State and US forest services, private consultants. If he is willing to move he should be able to find something. Our community college has a AAS program in forestry and thier folks seem to have no problem getting a job. If he has a strong biology background ( 60 hrs or more) he might want to check with local health depts. David and I both have Wildlife Management Degrees and while I have never worked in the field, David has been an Enviromental Health Specialist for 20 yrs with county Health Depts.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

My son has a degree in Forestry from OSU and went to work right away with a utility company. Also many cities hire urban foresters. He has transferred now into the engineering dept of the utility company but keeps his aroborist certificate for consulting.

 

[little lady]

Thanks for all the info...keep it coming!

 

[Equuisize]

Today, a bachelor degree, of any sort, just gets your foot in the door.

The best benefit is the well roundedness/experiences going to college gives you.

Many educators, today, feel a bachelor degree is now similar to what

people used to do with a high school education.

That in no way denigrates your son's accomplishment of acquiring that degree.

Congratulations to him.

My son also graduated with a BS degree. He was accepted for a Master's Program

but decided to go to work for Americorp, first. Didn't give him lots of jingle in

his pocket but he gained tremendous experience in his field and made good contacts.

Americorp gave him a base salary/pocket change and at the end of his contract paid

X number of dollars off his college loans. My son actually did two years with Americorp.

When he was finished his college loans were paid off.

He then moved onto The Peace Corp and was in Bolivia for two years. Incredible experiences

for him which included working in his chosen field. When he returned to it was a good thing he

chosen to do Americorp and The Peace Corp as what he thought straight out of college, with a

BS, he wanted to get his Master's in, had changed. That'd have been a expensive mistake.

He went on to American University, in WaDC and got a double Master's in Natural Resource

Developement. He was hired actually before he finished his degrees and they held the job

for him till he graduated. He now works successfully in his field.

That was his way of doing it. We felt it he was wise to get his BS paid off before tackling

the price of the Master's Degrees but gosh.......those Master's came with a hefty price tag

and it feels like he'll be ready to retire by the time he gets them paid off.

Good luck to your son.......tell him to think outside the box when looking for employment, to

use his degree as a lead in.

 

[little lady]

Well my thoughts exactly with thinking outside the box because thinking in the box apparently isn't boding well for him. It is just that both of us are having a brain freeze when thinking of avenues to pursue outside the box. Going on to school is out of the question at this time, he has got to get these current loans under control. The whole thing is rather frustrating to spend so much money on a degree and be offered jobs at $10.00 an hour and little to no benefits! It just goes to show the sad state of affairs our country is in!

 

[Equuisize]

I agree, college educations comes with a hefty price tag.

I think AmeriCorp could be a possible solution, if he can live on

a lower wage for a couple years. They have so many areas

that they hire students in, while helping get that debt paid down.

For example in Portland, OR they had a group called 'Friends of Trees'

that our son worked for. He also worked with the local PUD, doing

natural resource work.

If I'm not mistaken his student loans went idle during the time he

worked for Americorp.

My son was able to share a house with several other, recently

graduated, students, keep his car and insurance, feed and

keep himself entertained on what he was paid but the biggest

benefit was walking away, after keeping his belt tugged tight,

with no outstanding loan left.

It's a tough economy and disappointing that many of these

students, coming out with fresh degrees, are still searching.

Does his college offer any employment counseling?

 

[babygoose]

I second looking at USA JOBS and looking into the Federal Government. If he is willing to look at and apply for jobs anywhere, he can probably find something. Be willing to go wherever there is a job, get his foot in the door for a few years, and then he can be more picky about where he works. If there is a Forest Service office or State Forestry office near you, it wouldn't hurt to go visit with them. They may have or know of some opportunities. Maybe even part time or seasonal jobs.