>>469145It's an awesome career. I went to school for it after discovering the job existed.
It's really rewarding, you work outside every day, in a different place every day, and you learn to climb trees if you decide to. And its a really progressive climbing community, where guys invent new devices all the time and continually move the industry forward.
If you decide you dont want to climb or be a ground guy (you will probably have to do this to get into the industry, kind of a right of passage) you can do Plant Health Care, which is diagnosing diseases, treating trees for insect/fungus issues (Like injections for Emerald Ash Borer) and do sales, etc.
Currently I climb in the winter (and recreationally) and do PHC and tree assessments in the summer.
It's an awesome career, but the balance is that you wont get rich doing it. However, you will never feel like you're working, you will be having a blast every day, and sometimes you will wonder why you're being paid to be doing something so rewarding. You will be content, which is a solid balance in my mind. I haven't worked inside in 5 years, which in my mind is basically having a 5 year vacation where I get to climb awesome (and not awesome) trees, use a chainsaw, do complex rigging, learn about the biology of trees and insects, and feel good about going into work in the morning.
I have literally never had a day I woke up and said "shit, I have to work." When monday comes, I get excited to see what shows up on the work order.
Sorry if I sound like an idiot, but its the greatest career I could imagine and fully endorse it.
Just keep in mind its dangerous (I had my first major accident after 4 years[half dozen broken ribs, broken vertebrae, fracture of my orbital, 2 collapsed lungs, internal injuries, and a broken wrist]) but keep in mind it didnt keep me away from my job. Still love it to this day, and will for my entire career.
>pic related, climbing a 210' douglas-fir in Washington 