Kelvin and Phoebe will celebrate their graduation at the Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Faculty of Engineering graduation on Thursday 16 April.
Both graduating with a Bachelor of Forestry Science, they benefited from hands-on experience and industry engagement through Te Kura Ngahere | School of Forestry, leading to strong employment outcomes. Like many of their peers, they secured roles soon after completing their studies.
Phoebe was drawn to forestry for its practical, outdoor focus and clear career pathways.
“I wanted to work outside, gain practical experience and have a degree where I knew I could get a job. Forestry was ideal. It was a broad degree with lots of field trips and opportunities for hands-on experience,” she says.
Now working in Australia as a graduate forester, Phoebe is gaining experience across the industry through rotational placements.
Both graduates say there were strong employment opportunities in Aotearoa New Zealand and chose to head to Australia for new experiences.
Kelvin has taken a different path, with a graduate position with HQPlantations leading to a nursery-based role aligned with his family's background in forestry.
“It’s different to typical grad roles,” he says.
“I was lucky enough that HQPlantations gave me a job in the nursery. I’m working across logistics and inventory, making sure the operation runs smoothly, and I’m also involved in the science and research teams, which I’ve found really interesting, especially after my honours project.”
His honours research helped build the technical and analytical skills needed for his role.
“My supervisor was extremely knowledgeable. That guidance was really valuable in being able to complete the research to the level that it needed to be.”
Both graduates highlight the value of UC’s strong industry connections in supporting their transition into employment.
“They have lots of connections and lots of jobs, and it made it a lot easier for us to interact with the forestry industry,” Phoebe says.
Kelvin says the reputation of the programme is well recognised by employers.
“The School of Forestry has a really good name for itself. People in the industry talk very highly about their capabilities and that was pretty invaluable,” he says.
Their advice to prospective students is to explore the opportunities available and consider forestry as a career pathway.
“From my perspective, it was definitely worth it. It’s an industry that people don’t see enough,” Kelvin says.
“Look into it. It needs a bit more light.”
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