Kevin Power found studying BSc in Forestry in Waterford Institute of Technology affordable and feasible
"When I finished secondary school I found work in agriculture and forestry. From there I developed a keen interest in all aspects of forestry. Having worked previously in the industry, I had identified the area I wanted to make my career in. Waterford Institute of Technology provided a complete professional degree course in Forestry.
Because the course was held in the South East, it made going to college affordable and feasible. The course seemed both practical and scientific and the course subjects seemed relevant to the industry and interesting to me. If this forestry course did not exist in the South East I would not have a job today. The time it took to complete the degree is no comparison to the benefits and opportunities it has brought me. The lecturers fair and helpful and I found it surprisingly easy to fit in with the other students.
The course gave me a good general background to the Irish forest industry. Through course work, projects, reports and especially deadlines I found that the course prepared me well for my working life by steering me towards an acceptable level of professionalism. I found that skills developed through the above have stood to me in my work to date.
After completing the course I found that I had developed confidence in myself. But most importantly, I have found that the greatest benefit to me was that the course was geared so much towards the use of computers.
Without doubt my favourite element of the course was the regular forestry related field trips. During these trips we usually got to meet some very interesting and knowledgeable people.
We also got to see forestry machinery, procedures and practices at first hand. Other favourites included: Biology, Surveying and Mapping, Forest Protection and Silviculture.
The friendships I made, and the experiences shared, made my time at WIT very enjoyable. Eight years on and many of my classmates remain some of my best friends.
I currently work as Private Planting/Timber Sales (Team Member) with Coillte Farm Forestry Investment Services. This job involves the procurement of land for Afforestation/FEPS/Farm Partnership and Nativewoodland Schemes.
Also, Private timber harvesting and the sale of Coillte’s New Forest Life Scheme. My plans for the future are to achieve satisfaction and success in my career, I hope to be challenged daily and to continue learning. I plan to work towards a leadership position with increasing responsibilities within Coillte Teoranta. " Throughout my professional life, I have also completed a Masters in Business Administration and a course in Project Management at WIT."
Study the Bachelor of Science Forestry at WIT
The BSc in Forestry is a three year degree course that prepares students for a professional career in Forest Management.
The programme is professionally accredited by the Society of Irish Foresters and graduates may apply to be placed on the Forest Service register of Approved Foresters.
Typically, 25% to 50% of each module scheduled hours consist of fieldwork elements. All students will undertake a company placement in the second semester of Year 2. In addition, work placements may be organised in other countries. Each student will carry out a forest management plan of Lismore Estate in their third year.
Students who enrol in this course can expect to study modules such as; Forest Establishment, Mechanisation & Safety and Chemistry for Land Scientists.
_380_250_c1.jpg)
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
