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JDS

JDS

Location
The United States
Just looking for a little advise.

I have been rec climbing for close to a year, seriously climbing for a couple of months, and I absolutely love it. I have my bachelors degree in Biology, and I am working on my Masters. I am doing research/my masters thesis related to tree identification.

I have nothing going on this summer, and was thinking about working with a tree company, getting experience so that I can become a certified arborist some day.

How do I get my foot in the door? I have been looking around, sending resumes, etc. I cannot move.
 
So... I have been sending my application out 'round the area like crazy, and around most of southwest Missouri. I have gotten nothing. I made a couple of phone calls. What really disheartened me was a conversation that I had yesterday. I called a company that my husband recommended, and spoke with the office manager, whom I believe is also the business owner's wife. She answered the phone, and I said "Hi, I was told to call your company to see if you needed any part time help this summer."
The lady responded with "Oh, we do not need any office help".
I said, "Ma'm, I have been training with my husband,who is an arborist, and I was at the tree climbing competition on Saturday, I believe you were there."
She replied, "Oh, we do not need any help in the office over the summer".
I said, "I was really wanting to do actual tree work".
She said, "We hired some ground workers last week. We are only hiring climbers right now."
I said, "M'am, I have been training to climb a little bit".
She said, "Oh, were you the blonde at the competition?"
"No, I am the brunette"
"Well, we are only hiring SKILLED climbers right now. You are not NEARLY good enough".
I said my thank yous.

So I realize that I am not particularly talented at tree climbing thus far. I am SLOW. But how am I supposed to get better without a chance? I love climbing trees more than anything I have ever done in my entire life, but it looks like I am going to have to find something else for the remainder of the summer. (Insert gigantic sigh here) I swear if I have to become a server again I am going to have a melt down.
 
Hey JDS,

Have you tried, http://allabouttrees.net/. They are out of Springfield, MO. I have met the owner (Noel Boyer) a few times, and the crew one time at a splicing class. They are a top notch company and would be my first choice as an employer if I ever moved to the area. Give em' a call, I promise you will get a way better response than what you stated in your recent post. Good luck...
grin.gif
 
Noel and his crew are great guys! If I ever find out that he needs someone I would be there in a heartbeat. (Making myself look terrible in front of some of the best climbers in the midwest).

I did not mean to go off about everyone in general, just that particular lady. There are some really great companies around here who I know would be willing to train me, I just can't find anyone who needs help!

So sorry to rant, just a little disappointed with myself. I am going to keep climbing every chance I get, and hopefully next comp time I can be considered "skilled".
 
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I am going to keep climbing every chance I get, and hopefully next comp time I can be considered "skilled".

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That is awesome!!!!
 
As a newer climber, its hard to get commercial experience on a production job for a company.


The best way to get good at climbing is to climb. You can do work for family and friends at a good, flat rate both for you and them. Since you will not be pressured by anyone else for the time it takes, you can take your time to do things as you want to, and have time to experiment.

Some pruning jobs can give you a lot of climbing for a small amount of material generated, as compared to a spike climb removal. And, of course, there's a lot of value in removal climbing, too. You will just generate a lot more material to deal with. Some people will take care of their own tree branches and trunk wood. (maybe you have a chipper available to you, or can rent one.

Read and practice techniques in your living room, set up scenarios such as double-crotching climb lines, etc for practice.

Go use your throwline in a variety of trees to dial in your skills. Its key to efficient work.

These skill sharpening efforts will make you a better applicant for a crew. Climbers understand other climbers' needs better than people that just work on the ground. You will be more likely to get some time in the trees on the crew on bigger jobs where the boss may split into two teams. You can go on some smaller/ easier jobs while the main climber is on larger ones. You can better fill in for an absent, vacationing, or injured main climber. You will become a better and better asset over time.

Efficiency means productivity, productivity = value to a tree service.
 
Hi JDS. I don't know you at all, but you seem sincere, so I'll give you another perspective.

The companies you are calling are hopefully working to provide a service & value to their customers, a stable and competitive work environment, and to make money.
They don't neccesarily have the time or interest to take you on and train you. You might be able to find a company or employer who's willing to take you on but it's very unlikely, especially in the current economic atmosphere.

Here's something to think about before you make another phone call: What do you bring to the party? Your degree program is good for you, your interest in climbing is good for you, what can you bring that's good for them?

Here's one thing to consider: Every tree person out there thinks their way is the best way. That can cause conflict. Since you don't have a lot of experience, you are a blank slate. That has a lot of appeal to many employers, the fact that you are interested and eager but not yet set in your ways...
 
JDS, this industry needs more people like you. When the time is right, a good company owner will see the value in hiring you for the long term benefit of having an educated, sincere and talented climber and arborist aboard. Wish you the best of luck!

With your degree(s) you might be able to sit for the CA exam; this will help you get in the door with a company.

jp
grin.gif
 
Happy birthday!

I think you will find it hard to go straight to work climbing without ground experience. A lot of what you learn on the ground is crucial to what you'll be doing at height. You need to be able to see things from a groundie's perspective and gain experience with saws.

Think about a company's perspective. If they hire you to climb and you have a lost time injury, their WCI cost spikes. It's scary hiring someone to climb and cut without knowing them well.

The 'in the office' comments were pretty ignorant though.
 
I was suprised that this line got reopened!

I was more than willing to do groundwork, and still am. The summer is about over now, and I start classes again in August.

I have been trying to do work with my husband, and get as much practise in as I can. I do want to take the CA exam as soon as possible.

So for now, I am just hanging out, being a mommy, and doing as much work for neighbors as I can, just for experience.

I talked to one of my best friends from high school yesterday, and she asked what I was up to now. I replied, "climbing trees with a chainsaw, of course". She thinks I am insane.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, everyone.
 
Happy b-day, keep up the positive attitude just starting out was hard. You're moving in the right direction and have a good attitude that helps alot, ask some line clearance comps. if they are needing help.
 
The key to getting what you want is pure endurance!!Stick to your plan and just dont quit !It WILL happen for you! no doubt. Keep your goal out in front of you' at some point you will be too good for someone to overlook!!!
 
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