Dont know what to do! Need advice

lukedunbar19

Hi, Ive been training to be an arborist for 3 years now and im currently doing my Cert IV in arboriculture. My problem is that I work at a University as an arborist but barely spend any time climbing trees or doing tree work and my contract is due to end. The University has offered me a full time position doing what we normally do which is mainly maintenance of the gardens and just making the place look good, I also got offered a job at a tree company with the possibility of running a team (after i prove myself) but it wont be full time, just full time casual. Im undecided on what to do as i have 2 small children under the age of 2, the tree work is what i want to be but the security is not that great where the Uni is solid work with all the perks but i dont enjoy my work as much.
PLEASE HELP!!!

Jeff Darby

Hello and welcome to Treeworld, As you say you have two little children to think of in this decision, me personally, I'm a believer in "a bird in hand is worth two in the bush" surely there must be trees on campus? for you to maintain ? if not and you choose stable full time employment with the uni, make it your mission to plant as many trees as possible throughout the university...sorta like growing your future in arboriculture, planting, formative pruning and ongoing maintenance is all part of the job.

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Eric Frei

Stay at uni and when the kids are school age start your own tree business.

Between now and then, learn, practice, get wise without being a wise guy.

Just my 0.02

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lukedunbar19

Thanks guys, i know the security is the main thing keeping me on that side, there is 1000's of trees on campus but my boss doesnt think that maintaining trees is as important as letting get too bad they need to be removed. We have done a few tree jobs lately which makes the day go by heaps quick. Also we dont get the funding to supply us with good equipment so i had to but my own climbing gear and ask for a hand me down harness for the second arborist there as his was 4 years out of date! We also only have a 9 inch chipper (homemade) which slows things down, but a good creation. I just feel like im being left behind in this profession....

Brent Ferris

I think you should stay where you are - steady income, solid job - no end of work.
Buying your own equipment is good - if you choose, hook up and help another tree company on weekend jobs and get a taste of the other side.
Self employment has its pluses, but a steady job, a dependable paycheque, and thousands of trees - many of them likely very different from what you would experience working for a company - can't beat that. You get to learn about a whole lot of different things, and get paid to learn.
You are not being left behind, you have an opportunity to learn a whole lot without money being the first priority, Use it wisely. Most people never get this opportunity. Don't throw it away. Just adjust your sights and your sites,
And if you still think self employment is the way to go? In a downturn, like the GLOBAL economy is experiencing right now, university work will prob just keep on going, self employment dries up. IMHO

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George Valentine

I also believe that you should stay where you are...!

I would say that you are probably in the mid 20's with a young family, that has to be your priority for now, even tough you know that you have a lot more potential as an Arborist, performing arborist's jobs/duties, however, and as someone already mention, that place is giving you the stability you need at the moment, either by giving you "generous" income, security and and pretty much a "blank canvas" for you to practice with.

With that many trees in campus, surely you will always have tree issues to deal with, regardless of what your boss thinks, wants or likes. He can't stop nature to do its thing and sooner or later, branches have the be cut down, trees die and have to be removed, etc,...!

Don't look only, at the money that a qualified and certified Arborist can make a day/week/month/year, you are a young man still learning, give yourself some time and be patient, your family (wife and kids) will thank you for it in the end.

Get all you qualifications and certifications while you are there, you are getting actually paid to learn, something that in a full on, tree/arborist job no one would pay you for that.

Ideally, if you can find a tree business that can give you full insurance for a weekend job or at least, on Saturdays, you will have both worlds and that extra money to help you and family along...!

Whatever you do, be safe...!

Cheers
George

lukedunbar19

Thank you all for your advice, it has made it a clear decision to stay with the university.
I will behere for further advice down the track, good luck and stay safe.

Luke Dunbar

Jeff Darby

Luke just because we helped you make your decision dont just run away and not post...post up pictures of the Uni, and the trees that you will eventually be looking after...stay part of our online community...

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Member: Australian Tree Association

Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard !

Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others

© Jeffrey J Darby 2011

lukedunbar19

I will be uploading problems and asking advice alot, great site for me to talk to people in the same community. I have a job we recently did to upload n will try to soon

derwoodii

I worked as a campus tree guy twas a joy heaps to do, variation daily n tons of pretty girls onsite too dream away the duller days. Start your own tree business that RDO is the day too make some extra $ and hone your skills even consider taking on further edu in other fields of Hort landscape turf get that truck licence if not done already . When yer minds done with campus life you'll know it.

Now thats a keeper..