TCIA Student Career Days

Student Career Days is a series of free events held annually at TCI EXPO that gives students enrolled in arboriculture, forestry and related programs an inside look at the industry.

Students in two-year and four-year collegiate and vocational training programs are invited to attend. All Student Career Days events, the trade show, and all educational seminars are free to pre-registered students and their instructors/advisors.

TCI EXPO is a valuable opportunity for students to get a real taste for the field they’re studying. The trade show floor becomes an off-site classroom where students will learn about the latest products, equipment, and advances in the industry. The show is a great time for industry newcomers to mingle with the more than 3,000 tree care professionals in attendance every year.

Student Career Days events include multiple opportunities for students to meet and greet with potential employers. Two evening receptions allow students and employers to mingle in a relaxed setting, as well make initial contact for a potential on-the-spot interview at Saturday’s Job and Internship Fair.

Student Career Days also offers plenty of fun! Many events include prize drawings and complimentary refreshments, and the EXPO floor is always buzzing with excitement and energy. Many instructors who attend tell us they’ll continue bringing students to TCI EXPO year after year.

How do I attend and participate?

Students and their advisors must pre-register for Student Career Days. To start the registration process, download the registration form for this year's event. If you plan to compete in the Skills events, please check the rule book below, and fill out a liability waiver form. Contact Debbie Cyr at cyr@TreeCareIndustry.org for more information.

ATTENTION Students/instructors:
We offer travel reimbursement for students this year. For details, please download this form:
Sign-up and reimbursement form.

Compete in the Tree Care Skills Competition . . .

It’s a friendly and fun competition with plenty of events for students at various skill levels. Sign up for the skills competition for a chance to demonstrate your expertise and win some great prizes! Learn at Educational Seminars, Workshops, and Demonstrations . . . Attend TCI EXPO educational seminars, Career Day workshops for students only, and live arborist demonstrations on the huge TCI EXPO Trade show floor. The exciting live arborist demonstrations are facilitated by International Tree Climbing Competition champions and other world-known tree care experts! Watch as these tree experts demonstrate the latest techniques in tree climbing, rigging for removal, cabling and bracing, and more, all on a full-size tree!

Advice to Students:

"My advice to a student in arboriculture today is to pick an employer carefully," says Peter Gerstenberger, Sr. Advisor to the President for Safety, Compliance and Standards for the Tree Care Industry Association. "Jobs are plentiful, so the challenge becomes finding a position that best matches your career goals. An event like Career Days exposes you to the big world of tree care, it can really broaden your horizons."

Testimonials

Here's what participants have told us:

Howard L. Eyre, assistant professor at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Penn., brings his students to TCI EXPO every year! When asked to describe his students’ impressions of TCI EXPO, Howard stated, "One of them has attended three of the EXPOS, and when he walks in, he feels right at home. He’s starting to feel he can be part of this industry. They have always been warmly received, unlike other (industry) EXPOS. Everyone wants to talk and interact with them. First-time attendees walk around with their jaws hanging open at first, because they don’t realize the extent of the industry. It makes them think about other career opportunities."

The students at Career Days were not all from colleges. A number of Job Corp students and local high school students from the EHOVE Career Center in Milan, Ohio participated. In fact, Neil Hansberger from the EHOVE Career Center wrote to thank the industry for allowing students to participate at Career Days and TCI-EXPO. In Neil’s words, "Thank you for letting me go to the Tree Care Industry Association (Career Days, TCI-EXPO). It was a great experience for me. Thank you for talking to me about how to prune young trees so that they will grow up strong and healthy. Thank you for showing me all the displays of the very interesting work you do as an arborist."

Employers: Looking for some fresh talent?

More than 200 collegiate and vocational students will attend TCIA's 11th Annual Student Career Days at TCI EXPO this November. Get your company in front of the newest crop of tree care prospects at the Job and Internship Fair! TCI EXPO’s Student Career Days attracts career-focused students from across the U.S., and the Job Fair is a great opportunity to meet and recruit some of the brightest new talent in tree care.

Cost to participate is $500 (member) and $850 (non-member) and includes one 8-foot table and electricity, if needed.

If your company would like to be involved in the Job and Internship Fair, contact Debbie Cyr at 800-733-2622 or email cyr@treecareindustry.org for more information. Space is limited - don't miss out!