Mentorship Matters: AFM's Approach to Onboarding and Internships

By Jennifer Hunt (Content Writer)

Many professions have mentors and mentees for a reason. After all, it’s not easy to take all the knowledge learned in college and immediately apply acquired skills to a situation. Sometimes, there is a factor that the academic setting didn’t or couldn’t address, and that’s when a seasoned industry veteran can step in and share their expertise and experience. The same is true for forestry, and that’s why AFM has a robust internship program along with dedicated managers who mentor new employees. Here, we share details about our internship program, our managers’ approach to mentoring, and advice for anyone joining the team.

We like to think of our internship program as a safe bubble. As college students, our interns are still developing their field experience and may work at a different pace than foresters or land managers who have spent years in the profession. Of course, that’s all part of the experience! We want our interns to feel safe applying their skills in a collaborative, nonjudgmental environment that rewards curiosity. Noelle Morabito, Senior Talent Acquisition and Retention Specialist, shares one experience from a previous intern. “The intern said that what he worked on over the summer was covered in his fall classes, so it was easy to apply that information and reflect on what he did during his internship with us.” Not only do interns have the opportunity to participate in field operations, from conversations with clients and loggers to paperwork and troubleshooting potential issues, but they also have the chance to collaborate with individuals from other departments.

When interns interact with members of other teams, such as appraisal or biometrics, they gain exposure to other elements of forestry and see the wide array of careers available in the natural resources profession. According to Brandon Bal, Lake States Region Manager, “A lot of interns come in thinking forestry is only one specific path, like working for the Department of Natural Resources or the Forest Service, but their hands-on experience with operations, planning, markets, and land management helps them realize how many opportunities the industry actually offers.” Indeed, it’s common for interns to develop a wider understanding of how their degree can be used, including in forestry consulting. Some students successfully complete the internship program and return to AFM as full-time employees, where they continue to experience growth and mentorship under their supervisor or manager.

Our managers’ approach to mentoring directly reflects the strategies and techniques used in our internship program. Bal shared, “My approach to mentoring new employees is making sure they feel comfortable asking questions right away. I always encourage interns and new employees to ask questions, pay attention, and learn as much as they can from the people around them. Having that support early on gives them confidence and helps them feel more comfortable as they learn the job and start working independently.” Similarly, Steven Cockrell, District Manager in Edgefield, SC, notes, “I spend time with everyone to assess their current knowledge and understanding of our business. We train interns and new employees on the specific responsibilities they will encounter day to day, emphasizing how each task contributes to the overall operation.” Not only do we appreciate the opportunity to train new employees, but we are honored to watch their progress. Matt Brooks, District Manager in Florence, WI, said, “Recognizing employee growth is the most rewarding part of being a manager. Communication is important on so many different levels, and over time, I have been fortunate to witness foresters gain confidence interacting with fellow employees, contractors, and clients. Another growth I see is foresters getting the opportunity to put their schooling and previous work experience to the test in the field.  There is always an opportunity to look for efficiencies and learn from those around you when it comes to harvest planning, setting up timber sales, or cruising plots for various projects. As foresters grow with experience, so does the trust to work on new projects, which ultimately leads to opportunities for advancement.” We believe that a combination of hands-on experience, knowledge sharing, and trust empowers our employees to become an integral part of AFM, and we do whatever we can to help them be successful.

To help interns and new employees get the most out of their experiences, our managers shared some advice.

• “Show initiative and demonstrate that you genuinely want to grow and develop. A willingness to learn and engage will set you apart and help you succeed in this field.” –Steven Cockrell
• “Ask questions, learn from the experiences of other foresters, and actively look for feedback. Nobody expects you to know everything right away. The people who grow the fastest are usually the ones who stay curious, are willing to listen, and take every opportunity to learn.” –Brandon Bal
• “Always be willing to try, and admit if you haven’t done something before. I’m a product of all the foresters I’ve worked with in the past. Be open to learning something from everyone you work with.” –Mike Howie, District Manager in Milford, ME
• “Keep an open mind when interacting with anyone and everyone as they likely have something to offer to aid you in future work.” –Matt Brooks

Whether working as an intern or a brand-new employee, we hope that interactions with the AFM team are instructive and insightful. Cockrell leaves us with this final thought: “I believe it’s essential for employees to feel a sense of ownership and investment in the district and the company. When employees understand how valuable their contributions are and how their work impacts the bigger picture, it strengthens both their work ethic and team relationships. Ultimately, I believe that the work atmosphere plays a major role in how employees view their jobs and their place within the company. A positive, supportive environment encourages growth, strengthens teamwork, and drives overall success.”