CAREERS IN FORESTRY DT 
‘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, American 
Tree Association, the Pack Forestry Foundation, and various State forest 
conservation associations. Men chosen for executive secretaryships of such 
associations usually have demonstrated ability in public relations. 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 experl- 
ence 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. 
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