Employment and Training Woes

[Build2Island]

Tree service is so fascinating and brings so much passion out of me. However companies aren't hiring in my area. Drove two hours to work for a company outside my local area at the entry level, but due to expenses and complications I had to give notice.

I study hard, mostly ISA material, have built up my own kit to practice techniques and methods in a controlled and low risk environment. But self study is no replacement to proper experience and mentorship, especially to perform at a high level in this profession.

Looking for advice on how to make the best out of my self study, or how to make my resume more attractive to employers. University programs, trainings, and certifications that don't require prior work experience. Should I ask for an unpaid internship? Move to a new area? What did your career growth and start look like, and how can I use that information to help mine?

 

[Kaveman]

Many moons ago, I looked up at the climber above me, then back down at the rake in my hand. I made the uninformed decision to harass him into putting me in a harness.

Stay humble, and go sell yourself.

Washington state? Y'all got mistletoe up there? Go for a walk in more affluent neighborhoods and give your phone number to folks who have trees that need help. Stay out of poor areas, they ain't got any money for you, and probably ain't thinking about the tree leaning at their kitchen, when they're trying to keep food in the fridge. As a general rule, Liberal/left leaning folks are much more likely to pay out for cosmetic tree work.

 

[SeanKroll]

Where are you?

 

[SeanKroll]

Thread 'The official "Welcome New Members" thread!'

Oct 20, 2006

Here's a place to make your first post and introduce yourself! Don't be shy to participate, we're a pretty good bunch around here.
Say hi and tell us a bit about yourself, and welcome to the TreeHouse!

• MasterBlaster
• Replies: 3,072
• Forum: Announcements

 

[Burnham]

Talk to Sean. You might be in the right place at the right time.

 

[cory]

I smell (another) bot

 

[Burnham]

Hmmm...

I am not on the ball re this stuff at all, it would appear.

 

[cory]

@Burnham This recent thread was apparently bot

Best Chainsaw for Cutting Trees for Pruning and Light Wood Cutting, Expert’s Guide to Choose One

Hey everyone, I am doing some basic yard work like pruning trees and cutting small branches. At first, I thought any chainsaw would be fine, but I learned quickly that picking the best chainsaw for cutting trees really makes a big difference, even for light work. I am not an expert, just a...

www.masterblasterhome.com

 

[SeanKroll]

i wondered.

 

[Build2Island]

I live in the north puget sound, I'm not a bot. Should've definitely added more context to my post I apologize.

Posted this thread under climbing because I felt like it was a longer formatted question similar to another in the climbing thread. Still really hopeful to read some stories and advice from you guys thanks for the replies!

 

[stikine]

Too funny. Welcome Build2Isand

 

[Mick!]

Ok, sorry we thought you were a bot, Lot of it about.

What is your end goal? What in an ideal world would you be doing in 5 years?

 

[Kaveman]

Ok, sorry we thought you were a bot, Lot of it about.

What is your end goal? What in an ideal world would you be doing in 5 years?

Climbing more of these friendly live oaks and such. Compared to killing conifers, this feels a life worth living.

More than I ever thought, Mariposa is something of a climbers paradise...it's just grand and I am eternally grateful to @CurSedVoyce

Just to interject...

 

[Mick!]

Fair enough.

 

[Build2Island]

Ok, sorry we thought you were a bot, Lot of it about.

What is your end goal? What in an ideal world would you be doing in 5 years?

No worries, it's a fresh account and my first post.

Ideally in 5 years I'd have like to spent almost all of that time working, learning and growing into becoming an actual professional arborist and tree climber. With the skills and knowledge to reliability do the work, safely and efficiently either by myself or as part of a team. After 3 years I'll shoot for some certifications and see if I'm worthy enough. Hopefully to travel and accumulate more knowledge.

My first hurdle is getting an entry level job to build that experience, and to find mentorship.

 

[SeanKroll]

Which part of the north Sound?

I know a guy on Whidbey.

Olympia is a long way.

 

[davidwyby]

Wouldbe? What? Where? 😜

 

[Mick!]

I’m curious, are there any professional training courses for climbers in the US?
In the UK there are plenty of ‘college’ options to learn to climb, you pays your money and you takes your choice.

 

[Burnham]

I know there are private companies that do short term training courses. I know there are community college courses that teach arboriculture and some have a segment on climbing.

But my sense is that the UK is far ahead of the US in this.

 

[Mick!]

My course in 95 cost me £1000 ish (out of my own pocket)
10 weeks, climbing, rigging, ident, chainsaw use and maintenance, diseases, general theory.

Was I any good when I left? Not really (at all in fact) but it gave me the basic skills to learn the job over the next few years, and made me a more viable prospect as an employee.

 

[SeanKroll]

Edit: moved post to correct thread.


@Build2Island

I bumped the Beginner Tree Climbing thread.


What is your skill set including, specifically, if you care to elaborate?

 

[Build2Island]

Not sure what a bump is, should I have commented somewhere else?

Did a small land clearing job on a 5 acre lot when I was 19, made some of the basic mistakes and had learning experiences that come with your first time operating a saw. Grateful to have a great guy teaching me and looking out for me from the excavator. Fell in love with the work, since then I've practiced general rope access in trees, MRS and SRS. Can climb w/ spurs too, The Art and Science of Practical Rigging is my main resource I study for removals and I've done a limited amount of them. I lack experience in pruning, though I still study compartmentalization and tree biology, seen diagrams, have read theory, but haven't gotten opportunities to do much work to make that knowledge stick through application. A short stint of experience in tree service, can haul brush to a chipper in a safe and efficient manner, know and can learn enough knots to be useful.

On paper, I can't prove that I know of any of these things without a certification or work experience. Online, people often critique self taught tree workers, so I'm reluctant to mention this to employers on a resume. I'm worried that I'll sound illegitimate and unprofessional.

What makes someone a viable prospect? Specifically at entry level. Which of these would stand out most to you?
Here are some of my ideas, still looking for stories and advice.

A full bachelors or higher degree related to the field.
Entry level landowner forestry classes. But are those courses applicable?
First aid certifications, short rope rescue + access courses and certifications.
TCIA provides safety intro online training, though its benefits seem questionable to me.
ACRT provides training, but online there's criticism of these programs and the company.
Chainsaw operation and safety courses?
There are also week long vocational trainings across the state in Spokane. Anyone done those?
Should I become a member and attend ISA workshops and seminars? Can you even list those on a resume?
Are there any programs I missed?

 

[SeanKroll]

If you use the New Posts button, you will see what threads have new posts. If somone 'bumps' a thread it bumps that thread into activity.

If ready to find that thread when someone bumps the thread fir someone's attention.


Using @ before a user's name allows a notification to be sent to the user's account.
@Build2Island