Davey

arborist trainee

May - July 2021 • Council Bluffs, IA

What I liked

All their staff were very skilled and went above and beyond to equip me with all the knowledge I needed to be successful. It was one of the best internship I've ever had so far.

What I wish was different

Nothing. I had a great experience from my first day to my last.

Advice

Trust your coworkers and be humble. Even if you know some things, allow yourself to learn from everyone. There is always something good about everyone you meet at a workplace. Keep a positive attitude and learn as much as you can, as long as you can.

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Environmental Technician

July - September 2019 • Horsham, PA

What I liked

Gaining experience

What I wish was different

Not working outside

Advice

Always put yourself out there

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Seasonal Environmental Technician

May - August 2019 • Indianapolis, IN

What I liked

I loved traveling Indiana and studying the environments of the wetlands and prairies. Learning plant ID was also a really fun part of this job

What I wish was different

I wish I had spent more time getting to know the managers. They were all very knowledgable and experience in their fields.

Advice

This job requires hard physical labor, so be prepared to get in shape. With durable work clothes and a good night's sleep and you will do just fine.

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Field Technican

May 2019 • Kent, OH

What I liked

Pay gradient, being outside, the crew

What I wish was different

Less exposure to chemicals.

Advice

Sometimes your "dream job" isn't what you think it will be.

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Arboreal Scientist

June - August 2019 • Houston, TX

What I liked

everything

What I wish was different

nothing

Advice

just dive in, have fun, learn

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Tree Health Care Technician

June - August 2019 • Wheeling, IL

What I liked

Was unsupervised all day and treated trees on my own

What I wish was different

n/a

Advice

Find a summer job that is related to your career goals unlike me

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Arborist

May - August 2019 • New Berlin, WI

What I liked

Outside, hands on work. Was taught multiple techniques for rigging and pruning while there. I also learned how to operate heavy machinery, chainsaws, and planted many trees. The work kept me fit and agile. No two days were the same. Working with people and trees was by far my favorite aspect of the job.

What I wish was different

Climbing schedule. As an intern my expectation was to be climbing at least a couple times by halfway through the summer. The safety climbing course required by Davey was scheduled by management around the halfway point in my time there and was to be conducted 2 weeks prior to me leaving. I was and still am disappointed in this as I did not get to climb a tree on the job. Safety culture is another thing I wish was different. Management has a good idea of what safety is and should be with useful programs in place, however not all foremen or employees follow through with safety standards.

Advice

Research companies in your local area before you travel for work. Make sure that these companies have safety programs in place and DO NOT work for anyone that doesn't hold their foreman to a higher standard of safety. You only get one body for your entire life. Don't let someone's poor or rash decision making allow damage to that body. Safety first and foremost.

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