MORE SALES OPPORTUNITIES LESS CREDIT RISK

CAREER PANEL allowed professionals to share with students how they chose the lumber industry.

model stresses a reliable supply of the right product, on time, at a fair price. They also gave us some hands-on work experience with the customer, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

Next stop was the Silverwood Park Visitor's Center in St. Anthony. The main purpose of the building is to showcase and promote sustainability, while reducing day-to-day operating costs. The building is a 2009 Woodworks Design Award winner for its innovative structural use of wood.

Next we went to Bethel University in Arden Hills and explored the George Brushaber Commons building, which has a 6,500 sq. ft. green roof that incorporates a water retention system. We learned about their use of glulam beams, purlins, and wood decks, which gives the place a warm appeal and timeless aesthetic.

We also learned about the challenges faced in constructing this space, necessitating the design of twoway cantilevered roof framing that extended outside of the building envelope. This building is also a 2OO9 Woodworks Design Award winner for innovative structural use of wood.

In the last two days of the course, we spent most of our time in the classroom learning about various aspects of the lumber business. The basics of logistic and supply chain management were taught in terms of wood and building materials. We had discussions based on the current issues that are prevalent in the corporate world and the importance of having industry associations.

Construction systems and wood use in non-residential construction area was our focus in a class comprise mostly of construction and engineering majors. We learned about evolving markets for wood-derived energy and bio-chemicals.

Discussion with the various members ofthe career panel was held at the end of the course. These professionals shared their life stories and their path towards the lumber industry. It was very inspiring because each of us could relate to what they were talking about. At the end. we had the chance to ask questions of each panelist.

Overall, this course provided students with a perfect platform that inspires us to get involved in the lumber industry in the long run. I have very positive impressions of the course and the industry. My major is business administration with an emphasis on supply chain management/quality management. I have always been curious to learn more about logistics in lumber: from logging to readiness for use as structural material for construction or wood pulp for paper production.

Many recent graduates are not familiar with the lumber business or the opportunities it offers, but this industry offers a wide range of professional opportunities in both private and public sectors. It is a multibillion dollar industry that is both high-tech and environmentally conscious. The wide focus of the professional training, with its emphasis on organization and management, offers extensive job opportunities inside the lumber industry. There are many possibilities for further professional development as graduates can progress to higher management positions within a few years of experience. Students like me have the opportunity to work at a variety of companies, contributing in such areas as accounting and finance, marketing and sales, management, engineering, and logistic operations.

This five-day course has given me an opportunity to work with NAWLA as its marketing intern, which itself is a big achievement. Coming from a business background with little knowledge about the lumber industry,I now have the chance to learn more about this industry from the ones who know it the best.

As far as recruiting students to this industry is concerned, companies are responsible for promoting the lumber industry and providing career awareness for students who are graduating or have graduated. Surveys continually show that there are more jobs available than there are graduates to fill them in this sector.

Companies have to seek top, qualified students who will be motivated and excited to contribute to businesses within the industry. Brand positioning is one of the strategies that the companies can focus on, by selling the company's values to prospective job seekers. Companies should hold seminars and educational conferences so that they can have better communication and feedback with the students. Career fairs are one of the most important events in a college. Companies need to attend these fairs and interact with the students by providing career awareness and opportunities related to the forest product industry.

Programs like NEF are blessings in disguise for the lumber industry, which is going to attract a lot of new graduates to become the industry's future leaders.

- Companies interested in more information on internships s hould v is it www.nawlae ducationfoundation.or g.