Final Phase International Timber Trade
Bachelor of Forestry and Nature Management
Career opportunities
International Timber Traders have to deal with the marketing of timber and wood-products. They give advise and information in the field of (certified) timber. Upon graduation, students of International Timber Trade will be equipped for a wide range of careers in the timber and wood-products industry, and will have no difficulty in finding the job they want. There will be opportunities for work at multinationals in international timber trade, international timber handling industries, engineering offices for research and advice on certification.
Previous graduates now work as account managers in international companies, where they maintain relationships with existing clients and build up new relationships. Others started a career as purchasers, account managers or sales managers with domestic companies. Yet others work as environmental consultants for international NGOs.
Jos de Vries from The Netherlands
Alumnus
"The timber trade is very dynamic - it covers more than just basic buying and selling. I found a good example of this during my practical period in the Eastern part of Cameroon, where I discovered that some communities' last hope of earning a living may lie in the production and trade of timber. During my placement I helped organise the first shipment of 'fair-trade' timber from the Medjoh community in Cameroon to the harbour in Antwerp. I was actively involved in arranging each step of the process - from the production with the mobile sawmill in the rainforest, to the actual export to Antwerp. It is great to learn in practice, especially when you are helping local communities to set up a sustainable business."
Juul Leerschool from the Netherlands
student
"To do this study, you not only have to love trees and wood, but also doing business! ITT is a major which includes courses like wood science, in which you learn everything about wood, up until moleculair level. Courses like Law, Logistics and Marketing represent the trade side of the study. This combination makes the study a unique one.
I already have a clear view of my future profession. I would like to be a purchaser for a small wood trading company in The Netherlands or another country in Europe."
Juan Fra Villanueva from Venezuela
student
"As a sales manager, I am in charge of the sale of sawn timber in a number of different markets. But I am also involved in product development, mainly for the garden sector. So it is never boring! And since this job involves a lot of travelling, I meet a really interesting variety of people. It is a great job!"
"Wood represents an international trade that is enormous, dynamic and complex."
"You may want to start a career in the woods!"