01/23/2023
Want a job that makes you happy? Go into forestry.
There's actual data behind this, though! The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American Time Use Survey ranks forestry, logging and agriculture as the occupations with the highest levels of self-reported happiness. And, when you consider "recreation" is ranked as the second-happiest activity and the great outdoors ranks in the top three for both happiness and meaning, it's no wonder forestry comes out on top.
In a recent article in The Washington Post, Warnell alumna Dana Chandler, co-owner of Family Tree Forestry in South Carolina, compared working in the forest not just to therapy, but to aromatherapy. (Chandler is also a recipient of our most recent Young Alumni Award).
“Even on your worst day — something has broken down and you need to get wood to the mill — the wind’ll blow and you’ll inhale a familiar scent — that pine sap — and it’ll just take you to a place of peace instantly,” Chandler told The Post. “It’s therapy. The woods is therapy, the forest is therapy. You can have the worst day ever but when you get out here? The forest just takes it all away.”
📸: Jeremy M. Lange/For The Washington Post
