SAF2022 for Students: Three Reasons to Attend This Year's Convention

June 15, 2022
Written by Connor Crouch and Abby Jamison

With September fast approaching, we wanted to highlight a few opportunities that will be available to students attending SAF2022 in Baltimore. Before we list the top three opportunities that students can look forward to, it’s important to mention why taking advantage of these opportunities is so important. The forestry world is a small one, and the SAF Convention is an ideal time to begin building your network by connecting with fellow students and forestry professionals from across the country. The folks you meet on field tours, at the Student Social, in the exhibition hall, and elsewhere throughout the Convention are potential friends, coworkers, mentors, and employers. This tight-knit community is a large part of what makes our profession so special, and the connections you make will be important resources throughout your career. Although networking can definitely be uncomfortable, we encourage you to challenge yourself and make the most of SAF2022 by expanding your forestry community!

Without further ado, here are the top three opportunities available to students at SAF2022:

1. Meet potential future employers at the USDA Forest Service Hiring Event and social events.

Students will have ample opportunity to engage with potential employers throughout SAF2022. While exploring the exhibit hall or enjoying the alumni social for your university, be open to (and prepared for!) striking up a conversation with someone you don’t already know. One of the real joys of the Convention is making new connections, and in a small world like forestry, these connections can make a huge impact on your career. If you’re on the hunt for a job, the USDA Forest Service Hiring Event offers students the opportunity to engage professionals working with a large agency and to leave with a boots-on-the-ground job in forestry. Don’t miss this chance to discover your dream job or meet your future employer!

2. Connect with others at the Student Meet Up and challenge each other in friendly games at the Student Social.

At the Student Meet Up, students will get to know each other and professionals in the forestry community as they learn some of the ins and outs of effective networking. Later, students can enjoy an evening all to themselves at the Student Social where there will be games, pizza, and nostalgic snacks. Remember to bring your favorite card/board game and come ready to make career and lifelong friends!

3. Learn about different forest management strategies, research, challenges, and even about yourself!

Throughout SAF2022, students will expand their understanding of forestry and natural resource management and the challenges that forest ecosystems face in our rapidly changing world. You can learn about forest science and management occurring around the country by attending technical sessions and the poster symposium. Field tours will offer the opportunity to experience firsthand the forests of the Northeast and how they are managed. And, in learning about the work that makes the field of forestry complex and dynamic, students may uncover new passions and career paths to pursue. Come to SAF2022 excited to learn, and you may just find a whole new perspective on forestry and your important place in our profession.

These are just a few of the key opportunities and career-changing benefits available to students who attend SAF2022. Students also receive a special discount rate. Check out the convention Advanced Brochure, your one-stop shop for learning about what to expect at this year’s in-person convention. Additional details can be found at safconvention.org.

Encourage students, peers, and friends to attend – we cannot wait to see you there! 

Connor Crouch (pictured top left) is a PhD candidate in Northern Arizona University’s School of Forestry and is serving as student representative to the 2022 National Convention Program Planning Committee. He can be reached at [email protected].

Abby Jamison (pictured bottom left) is a Forest Program Specialist for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and serves as SAF2022’s local student activities coordinator. She can be reached at [email protected].