Career Paths

TIMOs manage large investments in timberland for pension funds, high net worth individuals, and others. TIMOs became particularly important after the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 provided a mandate for pension fund diversification. MFR graduates often enter TIMOs as analysts. Analysts are likely to attain exposure to timberland acquisition and disposition, quarterly reporting and accounting, timber harvest scheduling and inventory analysis, market research, and other functions.

Publicly traded timber REITs (Potlatch, Rayonier, and Weyerhaeuser) manage timberland investments similar in scale to TIMOs. REITs manage for the benefit of shareholders invested in their publicly traded securities. The timber class of REITs is considered a liquid alternative to timberland exposure. A MFR graduate is likely to find similar opportunities at REITs as he or she may find with a TIMO. REITs employ graduates for many business analyst functions but employ them in field capacities frequently as well. Timber REITs manage land internally as part of a vertically integrated asset management approach. This approach requires direct employment of field foresters to manage land.

Forest consulting firms provide forest management services for TIMOs, private investors, and forest products companies. The job of the forest management consultant is to maximize financial return for clients. Many landowners do not have well thought out property plans and require professional advice. The ability to advise customers and deal with wide-ranging personalities is critical. Staying well informed of changing market dynamics is also critical – the consultant must stay abreast of new opportunities like conservation easements, taxation, biomass, and carbon sequestration.

Many timberland transactions involve debt to enable deal consummation or to enhance returns. The lender touches segments of land management, portfolio management, project management, and business development. Entry-level analysts support loan originators and spend considerable time checking financials and physical property for due diligence on potential deals. A lender should have a strong ability to converse on forestry operations. However, a straightforward ability to develop relationships and communicate is equally as important as finance, real estate, accounting, or forestry knowledge.

Timberland investors may enter conservation transactions that maximize wealth. Investment firms work with state agencies, federal agencies, and NGOs to negotiate compensation for conservation easements. Individuals must understand finance, tax laws, real estate transactions, and general natural resources science. Timberland is an ideal asset to blend profit and conservation motives, because land is conserved while still offering substantial financial return. The position of a non-profit forester involves relationships above all else. These individuals work with investment firms, charitable donors, the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of Defense, land trusts, and many others. Attempting to satisfy all parties while still accomplishing the goals of the conservation group is a relational art.

One way to fulfill research interests outside of academia is to pursue positions in forestry sectors of organizations like the United Nations, FAO, OECD, or The World Bank. Individuals in this field create resource assessments and influence policy. They collect and analyze information which is synthesized into reports on topics like wood procurement, energy, climate change, and ecosystem services. The states of natural resources are often determined reliably via the reporting of individuals in this capacity.

Wood procurement positions are held with a variety of organizations from wood dealers to energy companies. The quantitative, marketing and business development skill set acquired through the MFR program is essential to this type of work, where creating valuable supply relationships are the end goal. This type of position is a great avenue to learn the true value of raw materials in a supply chain and how that supply chain functions throughout the industry.

Timberland management is critical for all forestry related professions. A MFR graduate will have silvicultural, operational, financial, and GIS application knowledge to make informed decisions to optimize the profitability of industry operations. The MFR program will prepare students for forest industry positions.