SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) has an excellent record of preparing its students for the rigors of the work force. However, ESF alumni have become more and more dissatisfied with the fact that their ‘real world’ involves painstakingly spending time outdoors, often in wilderness, surrounded by nature.
Because of this, many ESF alum have lost the ability to properly function inside or, if they get a promotion, in an office job. Many say that the skills they took for granted, like typing, water cooler conversations, and attaching documents to e-mails, feel foreign.
Jeff Brubach, a graduate from 2012, has come to deeply regret his college decision because of the harsh realities of his career.
Jeff explained, “If I could go back, I’d warn myself that there is nothing worse than the monotony of the 7 straight days in the back country. I’d say ‘don’t go for the stability and the money, follow your passion kid, before it’s too late.’”
When prompted about what his passion of choice would have been, he didn’t hesitate to respond “telemarketer, or maybe HR rep…definitely should have transferred to the Whitman School of Business at Syracuse University when I had the chance.”
Jeff has started a support group on Facebook titled “The Great Indoors,” where ESF alumni can share photos of themselves playing video games, smoking hookah in a living room, and using indoor plumbing. He asked that we mention that in this article so that others who find themselves down over a life in forests and fields can find help.
