Stories from Women in Wood

Well, another year has come and gone and the Women in Wood community continues to grow and support one another. More than 2,500 women across the globe have joined the Facebook network – an increase of 25% since last year! These women continue to step up to support one another, offer advice, share job opportunities, encourage newcomers and share a laugh. Although most members are in North America, there are women tuning in from further afoot, including Australia, New Zealand,

Rookie, greener, newbie. Maybe these words apply to you, or they are a throwback to your first job. Either way, being a beginner is a hurdle everyone must overcome at some point in their career. Starting a career is intimidating, like any major change it brings uncertainties and challenges you haven’t faced before. Personally, I experienced many different emotions transitioning from school to the workplace this past year and reflecting on it has made me realize how much I hav

Jess Sheppey is a Woman in Wood who started out in the resort and ski industry across Canada before pursuing a career in forestry. Jess graduated from the Forestry Technician Program at Algonquin College in 2018 and has been working as a forest technician in the Ottawa Valley ever since. She is currently on maternity leave with her little future WIW. While working in an office or at home has its perks when it comes to lunch time like a fridge, microwave, and proximity to rest

My name is Catherine Langille and I am a young Indigenous woman from Seine River First Nation who currently resides in Thunder Bay Ontario. I am in my first-year college studying environmental science & natural resources at Fleming College with an end goal of a master’s degree. I have a unique pathway into forestry. I initially started as an Outland Youth Employment Program Participant (OYEP). During that time, I started looking up to those who could handle heat, cold, weathe

My name is Shania Johnston, I am 25 years old; I currently operate a grapple skidder and am new to the logging/ forestry world. I graduated from Fleming College with a Law and Justice Diploma. However, I recently made some big changes in my life and chose to pursue two new employment opportunities. One being in an industry outside my element as a Skidder Operator, the other as a Volunteer Fire Fighter. I enjoy a challenge, being part of a team, and the outdoors. Harvesting wo