Forestry: what's in it for me?
Now that's a good question! There are many answers:
a surprising array of career options on graduation- interesting, diverse courses, covering topics from the sciences to social policy
- easy entry into some of New Zealand's most important careers
- a great University experience!
The list of courses taken in our degree programme includes sciences, management, economics, law and engineering. Such a range of study will set you up for a broad spectrum of career options on graduation, including positions in business government and consulting, in fields as wide-ranging as conservation, environmental protection, biosecurity, forest management, forest operations and forest policy.
Your talents will be needed: in New Zealand the forest sector is now moving from being the country's third most important industry to perhaps its most important. Overseas, similar things are happening, and foresters and resource management professionals are needed all over the world.
How will we help you acquire the skills that you need?
Each year we have about 100 students enrolled in our undergraduate programmes and 30-40 students in the postgraduate programmes. For you, this translates into smaller classes than is the norm in other degree programmes, and the attention that comes with small student/staff ratios. You'll find the School a hive of activity, with field trips, a vibrant student society (FORSOC), and student exchange programmes with the University of British Columbia and Virginia Tech.
Forestry students: where do they come from, where do they go?
In a word, everywhere! In any given year, we have students who have come to the School from Invercargill to Whangarei, Coasters and Cantabrians. Amongst the undergraduate students, about 25% are women. While there are a regular handful of overseas students in the undergraduate programme, the postgraduate programmes attracts many overseas scholars, and to date students from 37 different countries have taken degrees with us.
Our graduates enter every aspect of forestry and resource management you 
can imagine, and probably a few others that would surprise you. Graduates can find themselves working for Forestry Consulting companies; foresty management companies such as Rayonier or Timberlands; regional, environmental or local counciles, Government departments such as MAF Policy; and increasingly for forestry businesses overseas. Australian companies have been regular recruiters of our graduates in recent years.
Salary packages can sometimes include vehicles, cellphones and other incentives depending on the role you undertake and your location. Starting salaries after four years study are now in the range of $41-52,000.
Forestry in New Zealand
Canterbury's School of Forestry graduates are finding themselves working in exciting times. Because of past silvicultural practices, the annual harvest of plantation pine is now taking a permanent step change from about 20 million cubic metres to 40 million cubic metres over the next 20 years. In some regions, notably the East Coast and Northland, the big change is already well under way now. The challenges are immense: what new markets can be found for the wood, what innovative new products can be developed, how can the increased flow of wood be managed without unacceptable pressure on the environment, what social and political issues will arise, and how can they be managed responsibly? These are very significant challenges, and only highly qualified, knowledgeable professionals will be able to handle them successfully. Many of them will be professional foresters, graduates of the School of Forestry, the only place in New Zealand where a comprehensive degree in professional forestry is offered.
Find this enticing? How can you get started? Email Jeanette Allen and ask for a copy of our Student Handbook or Prospectus. We look forward to hearing from you soon!