“Forestry at the HNEE, graduated in 2009, Bachelor’s thesis title: “Experiencing Nature, Forest Discovery Trail Ostseebad Dierhagen – Ostseebad Dändorf”. After studying, I completed my traineeship for the higher forest services at the State Forestry Institution of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and I was offered a job with the state forestry office. From 2015 to 2017, I studied Strategic Sustainability Management at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, graduating with a Master of Arts. In parallel to my various responsibilities as forest ranger, I have been working on a scientific project since 2018 about the development and management of coppices with standards. My doctorate aims to scientifically observe the establishment of coppices and coppices with standards over approx. 7.5 ha and to broadly analyse the development of different variables from economic and also ecological perspectives in the medium term.

Saxony state forestry service, Neudorf district, Crottendorf forest ranger

“I have managed the state forestry division Crottendorf since July 2019 as part of the Saxony state forestry service. The forest division covers an area of approximately 1500 ha and is (still) dominated by spruce in the canopy class. I achieved my goal of becoming a forest ranger in the German Mittelgebirge much sooner than I thought would be possible. Looking back, I can say that the study programme in Eberswalde prepared us well for the traineeship and work in state forestry. Talking to people who studied at other universities, for example Tharandt, has confirmed that we really benefitted from the many practical exercises and excursions to different companies to look at management strategies.”

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, Department 210 for Forest Policy, Affairs of the Highest Forestry and Hunting Authorities, Forestry Promotion

“In 2015 aged 32, I decided it was time to study again and enrolled in Forestry at the HNEE, which I successfully completed in the regular study period of six semesters. My long-term goal was to become a forest ranger for a state forestry service. Of course, my time as a student was great and everyone makes some friends for life. There was also a lot to learn, and it wasn’t all plain sailing. Botany and soil science in particular demanded hard graft. But what could be better than going hunting after a hard day’s studying? It doesn’t cost anything and you even get credits for it!
The Forestry programme at the HNEE has an exception range of practical teaching units. We spent a lot of time outside ensuring we had practically understood everything we had learned in the classroom. The numerous excursions played a major part in this. For me, the highlight of the programme was the practical semester (5th semester). This is the time when the knowledge gained is integrated into everyday working practice and you find out if you have got what it takes to be a forest ranger.
After graduating from the HNEE, I completed a one-year traineeship for forestry service with the State Forest of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. My studies at the HNEE had given me a solid basis to build on. After finishing the traineeship, I was offered a position with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state forestry and am currently working in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment as an Advisor for Forestry Law and Forestry Policy. But one day I’ll have my own forestry division…”

HessenForst, Management at the State Forestry Office, raw wood sale, central client advisor, deciduous stem wood, submission, export

“The Forestry programme in Eberswalde prepared me well for the forestry traineeship (Anwärter, preparation for the higher forestry service examination). I passed my forestry service examination in the state of Hesse, where the site properties and silvicultural conditions are quite different compared to Brandenburg. Thanks to the solid knowledge basis I gained at the HNEE combined with the many excursions we had been on, it was easy for me to make the transition. Compared to other universities, the HNEE has quite long practical semesters which gave me the opportunity to gain three months’ experience in two different forestry enterprises. These experiences helped me discover what I wanted to do after graduating and where that might be. In my current role as client advisor, I am the stepping stone between the 41 forestry offices in Hesse and the timber clients. In addition to subject-related knowledge, the methodological skills learned in the programme continue to serve me well. By living in my shared flat in Neukölln and studying in Eberswalde, I found the right balance for me between city life and the countryside. In the three years, I had my fill of theatre and clubs in Berlin as well as hunting in Barnim and the Uckermark.”

Stift Neuzelle Foundation, Forest ranger and assistant to the management

“The varied and above all practice-oriented study programme at the HNEE laid the foundations me to be offered a job as a forest ranger straight after my forest traineeship as a forestry inspector. I feel well prepared to deal with any challenges which arise in my daily working life. There was a wide range of activities to get involved with alongside studying and I was an active member of the Faculty Student Council and helped shape student life. Students really benefit from the freedom to follow their own interests in the practical semester. I spent part of my practical semester broadening my horizons in the temperate rainforests on Vancouver Island.”

Self-employed forest-software developer
“I love the forest and software development. My day is largely spent developing applications related to the forest.”
For more information, click on the following video.

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