CircuiIvk No. 23 (Revised Edition). 



United States Department of Agriculture, 



BUREAU OF FORESTRY. 



SUGGESTIONS TO PROSPECTIVE FOREST STUDENTS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Bureau of Forestry receives a large and increasing number of 

 requests for information upon matters treated in this circular. The 

 purpose of its publication is to supply this information fully and 

 promptly. Inquiries from those who think of taking up forestry, which 

 are not covered by this circular, will always be answered willingly. It 

 will be understood, however, that, although the Bureau of Forestry 

 stands ready, so far as it can, to assist and advise the forest student, it 

 can reasonably go no further than to explain the situation and point 

 out the means hy which a man may prepare himself for it. It can no 

 more assume the responsibility of deciding for the prospective forest 

 student whether he will do well to take up forestry than it can predict 

 to what position he will attain as a forester. 



POSITION OF STUDENT ASSISTANT. 



The only position in this Bureau open to those whose training in for- 

 estry is incomplete or has not yet begun is that of Student Assistant. 

 It has been created in order to afford young men who are thinking 

 seriously of making forestry their profession, or who have already taken 

 up its study, an opportunity to become familiar with the methods of 

 this Bureau in the field and in the office. It must be clearly under- 

 stood that work as a Student Assistant does not constitute in itself a 

 stepping-stone to higher positions in the Bureau of Forestry, but forms 

 a part only of the training useful in fitting a man for the profession of 

 forestry. It is the policy of the Bureau to retain a man as Student 

 Assistant only long enough for him to gain full advantage from the 

 opportunities for field and office work which the position affords. He 

 will then be expected to continue his training elsewhere. 



Student Assistants are, as a rule, appointed for the field season only. 

 This varies from three to six months or more, according to the locality 

 and the demands of the work. A limited number are retained after the 

 field season closes, in order to assist in the office of the Bureau in 

 working up data obtained in the field. The eligibility of a Student 

 Assistant to be continued in the office during the winter depends upon 

 the quality of his field work and upon the seriousness of his intention 

 to take up forestry. 





