Co-op presentation nights, stories from the field and updates! 
Faculty of Forestr Co-op Newsletter

Co-op Presentation Nights

Invite your work supervisors, friends, family and professors to attend your co-op night in FSC 1005 from 6:00-9:00 PM. In addition to supporting your peers who will be presenting posters and giving presentations about their most recent work term, these events are an opportunity for you to network with industry leaders. Remind your guests to RSVP to Tony or Sudeh.

Sept 23 - Forestry & Conservation
Sept 25 - Wood Products Processing

Updates From the Field

Darlene Feng - Cedarline Industry ltd., Surrey, BC 
I have been exposed to a variety of positions such as managing the inventory, recording the trading amounts, printing lumber tags, preparing invoices for imported and exported goods, as well as interacting with customers on a daily basis. The experience I have gained has expanded my knowledge and strengthened my skills. I have had the opportunity to build close relationships with my coworkers, which has made me a team player. In the following weeks, I will apply a new software called WoodPro on an existing database and I cannot wait!

 
Chloe Williams - Wells Gray Community Forest Corporation - Clearwater, BC
As a forestry co-op student I have had the chance to see and experience snippets from various aspects of forest harvesting – from the early stages of block layout all the way to reaching free to grow status. So far, I have spent the majority of my time in the field, conducting surveys to ensure that regenerating trees meet standards that will promote a healthy future forest. Maintenance work, including brushing, grass seeding and road upkeep, is also part of the job. I hope to continue learning as much as I have in the remaining weeks of this co-op work term.

 
Christina Howard - Parks Canada, Vancouver, BC
For the duration of the summer, I will be making presentations on topics ranging from the Canadian Arctic to National Marine Conservation Areas and even Sea Otters.  I will also be attending many external events promoting various national parks as well as promoting Parks Canada’s new initiatives.  I couldn't be happier with my co-op work term and I am already learning so much.  I cannot wait to share my experiences with other co-op students, and I am grateful for all the help co-op gave me in finding me this position.  In this short period of time, I have already grown as an employee, presenter and student.  I am so grateful for this opportunity!

Work Term Wrap-up

This summer marks the biggest season ever for the Faculty of Forestry co-op program with 108 students on co-op work terms. As the season draws to a close, students are completing their work term assignments and employers will be submitting their final co-op evaluations. Click below for forms and sample assignments:
 
DEADLINE: Friday, September 12th, 2014 at 1 PM

Employer Testimonials

George Brcko, General Manager
Wells Gray Community Forest 

We recognize the value in hiring UBC Faculty of Forestry Co-op students and having them working with us has helped us to complete projects that will last for years to come. Our return on investment in this venture has been great – allowing co-op students to get the field experience they need while helping us accomplish work we normally would not have the time or resources to touch. I am glad to have an opportunity to help shape the next generation of forestry professionals and I can see the students truly benefit from this experience. Another benefit to hiring co-op students is that they are a lot closer to the workforce – they hit the ground running and arrive with the skills needed to get to work. I would hire another co-op student can easily recommend that others do the same.

 
Aimée Pelletier, Resource Management Officer II
Parks Canada Agency 

Co-op students are very keen and to learn as much as possible while they are here working with us. Coming from an academic environment, they are already thinking about research and bring fresh ideas about new research projects that we might attempt. Co-op students have real enthusiasm and they are really excited to work for Parks Canada and an organisation that gets them outside.  They really work hard and are looking to make connections in their field of study. Hiring a co-op student is a way for us to attract urban youth who in turn go back to their institutions and act as ambassadors for Parks Canada. We have had a very positive experience with the Faculty of Forestry Co-op Program and will definitely be hiring a co-op student again.
 
Larry Gardner
West Fraser’s Chief Forester, BC

UBC Forestry students are a critical part of our Woodlands team. Each summer, West Fraser hires about 50 forestry students to work at one of our ten woodlands divisions. Students work in a variety of roles including: planning, silviculture and harvesting. Our woodlands team and professional foresters mentor and coach students through their term with us. Our experience is that UBC forestry students bring fresh perspective, enthusiasm and a passion for forestry to our team. A lot of our full time employees started as summer students, so forestry co-op with West Fraser is your chance to discover how exciting a career with us can be.

Co-op Updates

Build your resume before your next co-op work term!

Ileana Costrut is the new Student Engagement Officer and can help you get the experiences you need to build your resume. For assistance with skills development, part-time employment, volunteer positions and the Tri-Mentoring Program, contact Ileana.costrut@ubc.ca - 604-827-2740 and set-up a meeting to discuss these exciting opportunities.

 
Chinese 2+2 students began their UBC orientation 3 weeks ago and we were there to talk about the Co-op Program with prospective students looking to get an edge in today's job market. When asked how many wanted to join co-op the room was a sea of hands! We look forward to working with these and many other students in the coming years.
 
Looking for an international experience?
The Young Forester Award is designed to support the professional development of foresters below 35 years of age through the provision of a short-term work placement in a country other than their own. The award consists of a designated placement combined with a £1000 and £1500 bursary to cover a stay of around 3 months with an established forestry organisation. Deadline: September 1, 2014. Apply here.

 

Co-op numbers - Fall work term
  • Students hired:
    • 8 Conservation
    • 5 Forestry
    • 7 Wood 
  • Students looking for work:
    • 1 Conservation
  • 20 of 21 or 95% Employed


Co-op numbers - Summer 2014
work term recap
  • Students hired:
    • 45 Conservation
    • 15 Forestry
    • 1   Forest Sciences
    • 47 Wood
  • 108 of 120 or 90% Employed

Stand Out - Join Co-op

Co-op launches new recruitment campaign!



The new “Stand Out” campaign is inspired by comments from co-op employers. “Everyone has a degree, only co-op students have the experience to back it up.” Co-op is more than a summer job – it offers more support, services and access to industry experience. The co-op application deadline is September 26th at 4 PM.
 
Forestry Logo
facebook twitter linkedin youtube

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Tony Loring
Co-op Coordinator - Faculty of Forestry
2424 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
Tel: 604-827-5196
Email: tony.loring@ubc.ca