>>960564I'm back for a M.S. in forestry. It's a good job but the better you get the less you get to roam the forest as you progress/become more managerial. I've worked for Fed/State/Private but all within Northern hardwoods(upper midwest/northeast) so I cannot speak for out west outside I know they are much more regulatory.
In private industry:
You can do consulting which is nice but often just cruising timber.
Work for a timber company which will have you managing a large set of land. (50k acres depending)
Be a tree worker/urban forester
Work utility lines ensuring they're clear and contemplate death.
Pros: you can manage land to the way you want to an extent/variety in tasks
Cons: You have to deal with people and juggling demands/budgets.
Federal:
Basically do the tasks set forth in the job description and nothing else. So if you're a timber inventory analysis guy you cruise and mark timber. Pretty much nothing else and not much with thought. Biggest downside is red tape or monotony. Pros: pretty much cannot be fired.
State:
Pretty much somewhere in the middle. Not a ton more tasks but since the area is smaller you can do things such as be on call for wildland fire or other random things.
Pros: gov job with good benefits and lots of time off
Cons: good luck getting a promotion
