CAREERS IN FORESTRY 21 



Trade and Conservation Associations 



Many of the national and regional trade associations of lumbermen, pulp 

 and paper producers, and other forest-industry groups employ technical 

 foresters as staff advisers or as directors of certain lines of promotional work. 

 The top executive directors of several of these associations, in fact, are pro- 

 fessional foresters whose experience and abilities led to their selection for 

 these positions. The National Lumber Manufacturers Association, Ameri- 

 can Forest Products Industries, Inc., Western Pine Association, and 

 American Paper and Pulp Association are some of the groups that employ 

 technical foresters. 



A number of foresters have found interesting opportunities with conser- 

 vation organizations such as the American Forestry Association, and various 

 State forest conservation associations. Men chosen for executive secretary- 

 ships of such associations usually have demonstrated ability in public rela- 

 tions. From time to time, some of these associations sponsor and finance 

 special studies or surveys which call for the services of trained foresters. 

 Men with experience in the particular line involved are selected to conduct 

 such projects. 



The professional organization of foresters in the United States is the 

 Society of American Foresters, with headquarters in Washington, D. C, 

 and regional sections in various parts of the country. The purpose of this 

 organization is the maintenance of high standards in professional practice 

 and promotion of the interests and welfare of the profession generally. 

 Professional forestry training or practical experience substantially equivalent 

 to that obtained in a school of forestry is the requisite for membership. 



Teaching 



Teaching offers opportunities to the technical forester. As noted earlier, 

 40-odd colleges and universities in the United States have schools or depart- 

 ments offering forestry courses. Advanced technical training plus teaching 

 ability are requisites for appointments to a faculty position. Practical 

 woods experience, in addition, often is an advantage. 



Many foresters have gone into teaching after some years in forestry work 

 with the Federal Government, States, or private industry. Occasionally, 

 outstanding graduate students receive appointments as instructors, from 

 which they can rise, if qualified, to assistant professorships and full 

 professorships. 



Compensation varies with the colleges. Top faculty positions in the 

 leading universities pay salaries that compare favorably with those of 

 principal Government forestry positions, but do not equal salaries in the 

 higher brackets of private industry. The academic surroundings, privileges, 

 and campus life, however, have a special appeal to some individuals. The 

 teacher of forestry who is interested in research usually also has the advantage 

 of being able to carry on original studies in connection with his regular 

 schoolwork. 



Conservation and elementary forestry are taught in some secondary and 

 vocational schools, but the subject matter is seldom so technical as to call 

 for advanced forestry training. Some foresters, however, have gone into 

 high school teaching, and have found their forestry training useful. 



