Career development of range conservationists in their first three years with the Forest Service

• Published in: Journal of range management Vol. 40; no. 3; pp. 249 - 253
• Main Author: Kennedy, J.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Society for Range Management 01-05-1987
• Subjects: BIOLOGISTE; BIOLOGISTS; BIOLOGOS; Biology; BOSQUES; Career; CATEGORIE PROFESSIONNELLE; CONSERVACION; CONSERVATION; DASONOMOS; Employment; ENCUESTAS; ENQUETE; ESTADOS DEL OESTE (EUA); ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA; ETATS DE L'OUEST (EU); ETATS-UNIS; EXPLOITATION DES HERBAGES; Forest management; Forest service; FORESTERS; FORESTIER; Forestry development; Forestry workers; FORESTS; FORET; GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT; Job development; MANEJO DE PRADERAS; Natural resource management; Natural resources conservation; OCCUPATIONS; OCUPACIONES; Range management; SERVICE; SERVICES; SERVICIOS; SEX; SEXE; SEXO; SURVEYS; USA; WESTERN STATES (USA)
• ISSN: 0022-409X; 2162-2728
• DOI: 10.2307/3899089

This paper examines early career development of range conservationists, relative to their forester and wildlife biologist colleagues, in 2 western Forest Service Regions. Perception and acceptance of agency values, satisfaction with range profession and job choices, and long-term career commitments are a few subjects studied. Results show the majority of range conservationist recruits and their colleagues fitting into a long-term commitment to their professions and the Forest Service. Still, about 20% were experiencing initial career adjustment problems. About half the sample were women, and some important female/male differences exist. The greatest differences, however, were observed between professional-types. Range conservationists and foresters (regardless of sex) were generally adapting to a career in the Forest Service more easily than biologists. Range conservationists stood out in their desire for future Forest Service employment when selecting a range science major and belief that their "professional competence" was valued by the Forest Service.