Rory Read graduated from the Master of International Forestry (MIF) program in 2023. He is currently working as a Forest Management Advisor for an environmental consultancy in Bogor, Indonesia.
Please introduce yourself, describe the organization that you currently work for, your role there, and what that involves.
I’m Rory Read, I currently work for Hatfield Indonesia, an environmental consultancy based in Bogor, Indonesia. I am the Forest Management Advisor for the Natural Resources and Planning team where I get to contribute to a variety of projects such as carbon project development, due diligence for forest concession acquisition, Forest Stewardship Council remedy framework, High Conservation Value assessments, sustainable agricultural planning, and social and biodiversity assessments for a range of clients including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, the UN Development Programme, as well as private industry and investment. The most rewarding aspect has been the fieldwork, and providing meaningful input to improving the on-the-ground implementation of projects. The most challenging has been learning Indonesian!
What were you doing before starting the MIF program?
Prior to the MIF program, I completed my undergraduate degree in Social Anthropology as well as an internship for an international development agency in Australia.
What led you to apply for the MIF program?
I was motivated to apply for the MIF program because I wanted to push myself to achieve my full potential in an area that I was passionate about—broadly, the overlap between people and forests, particularly in the tropics.
What aspects of the MIF program did you enjoy the most?
MIF opened my eyes to the possible future career I was about embark upon. Aside from the inspiring lectures from experienced professionals and academics on the beautiful campus in Vancouver, the program offered many opportunities for travel, including field trips to Tofino and the BC interior, attending the Convention of Biological Diversity negotiations in Montreal, a conference in Saudi Arabia, and finally, as a research assistant in the forests of North Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Reflecting on your role and responsibilities in your current job, what aspects of the MIF program helped you prepare for this?
The holistic approach of the MIF program gave me the breadth of knowledge to be an effective interdisciplinarian. This allows me to work flexibly in my role, often working on projects where I don’t have a niche expertise, but still a general understanding of the topic and broader perspective at the landscape level. Furthermore, as I begin to take on project management responsibilities, breadth of knowledge is key to understanding all the components of a project which I am designing and implementing. MIF’s diverse and international student body prepared me to work effectively with a range of people from different cultures, backgrounds and across different languages.
What role did MIF play in pursuing your career path?
MIF set me up to embark upon my career in Indonesia. Following my fieldwork in North Kalimantan, as the final section of my MIF experience, I didn’t immediately find long-term work. However, through MIF I had learned the skills required to go out and find my own work. I initially found work as a researcher on forest carbon projects and later as a private consultant for a due diligence project in South Papua, where I used the Focus Group Discussion and facilitation session skills I learned in the MIF program to complete a social report for my client. These experiences, stemming from my MIF experience, eventually got me the full time job here in Indonesia as an environmental consultant.
If you could impart some wisdom or “lessons learned” to current and future MIF students, in terms of getting the most out of the program, what would you advise?
Explore the many avenues that will be made available to you during the year with MIF. There are many opportunities to pursue your own interests within the curriculum, so choose as many different topics as possible that you are curious about while you have the opportunity. The time goes past quickly, so make the most of it! But make sure to explore Vancouver and BC as much as possible too. Fall in love with the forests and the amazing nature at your doorstep and let this passion fuel your studies! And if the workload gets on top of you, a beer on Wreck Beach is a good reset button.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your MIF experience?
Take the time to get to know your lecturers as well as your cohort. I am still in touch with many of my lecturers who are now part of my professional network and are an invaluable source of advice, not only career-wise, but more generally about life, particularly if you choose to explore a career far away from your home.