As tree care companies struggle to find new employees, it’s essential to cultivate and educate aspiring arborists who are interested in working in the tree care industry. TCIA’s annual Student Career Day, this year on November 11 at TCI EXPO ’22 in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a wonderful opportunity for students to attend one of the most significant career-development events in this field.
What is TCI EXPO Student Career Day?
Student Career Day is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in arboriculture, horticulture, or forestry and are currently attending a vocational school, college, or university.
“This is a great opportunity for aspiring students who want to network and learn first-hand from professionals in the industry,” says Erin Demers, TCIA’s new manager of workforce recruitment and retention. “We realize that finding new workers has been challenging for everyone in the industry. We’ve been hosting this event for 24 years and have sponsored more than 5,000 students to attend. We know how important it is to build a solid pipeline of both arborists and other professionals in the field.”
Students are selected through their school advisors to attend for free. This includes a kick-off breakfast, networking with industry professionals, training labs, and a Student Awards Party with prizes from the corporate sponsor of the event, Stihl.
From Student Career Day’s Sponsor
Stihl has sponsored this event for several years and is a big advocate of helping to build a pipeline of tree care professionals to meet the demand for arborists. “We love supporting students and exposing them to all the great opportunities of the tree care industry. It’s an exciting time to work in this field, and there are many opportunities. We want to foster and inspire the next generation of tree care workers and give them every chance to thrive in this industry,” says Adam Wolff, event marketing specialist with Stihl.
Student Access to the Tree Care Industry
Students also get a free All-Access pass to TCI EXPO ’22, taking place November 10-12, which includes 38 educational sessions, two trade-show floors, a welcome reception at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the TCI Block Party.
Students should ask their advisors to contact TCIA to learn about scholarship opportunities and how to apply.
Student Career Day Partners
Many thanks to Stihl and the Student Career Day partners who support this event: Arborscapes, Asplundh, Bartlett Tree Experts, The Davey Tree Expert Co., Heartwood Tree Service, Monster Tree Service, PlanIT Geo, Rainbow Tree Company, SavATree and Wachtel Tree Science, Inc.
For more information, go to: expo.tcia.org/student-career-day, or email studentcareerdays@tcia.org.