Why did you choose ACM and your major? I started as an Engineering major at WVU Tech and found out very quickly that I’d
be spending a ton of time inside, behind a desk, and that’s just not really where
I saw myself. I wanted to be outside, really just enjoying nature, in my day-to-day.
I found out about ACM’s program and chose to go there because it was close to home,
affordable, and had a fantastic forestry program.
What three things did you like about your courses in the Forest Tech program? We got to be outside in just about every class. Whether it was looking at trees, insects,
or diseases; we were just always outside in nature, enjoying that. It also had a fantastic
arboriculture class, focusing on the study and care of specific trees, that really
helped prepare me for my career in arboriculture.
What experience at ACM surprised you the most? I really enjoyed the summer program in Forestry. It showed me what it was going to
be like in the day-to-day work as an arborist. We got to go out and do a course as
loggers, as well as forest measurements. It was a blast, all summer.
What advice would you give to students in your career path? Learn your trees and connect with as many people in the industry as you can. It’s
a tight-knit industry and we’re like family.
What is the value of attending a community college? You’re going to save a ton of money!
What would you recommend ACM to future students? ACM sets you up for success! It is affordable and the forestry program itself really
sets you up to be successful in your career.
How has the Forestry Program prepared you for the position you are in now? We did a ton of community outreach while I was in the forestry program, which got
me used to talking to prospective clients and customers. Everything that I learned
in my classes is actually applicable to my day-to-day job, which I found as an engineering
major wasn’t necessarily the case. Everything that you learn, you end up using, so
it's awesome that you invest the money and it works that way; you get what you pay
for.
Additional Comments The ACM Forestry program really set me up for success in my career as a certified
Arborist. I now work at a Fortune 500 company, the Davey Tree Expert Company, where
I specialize in plant healthcare, tree pruning, and tree removal.
