Making the decision to leave my last job which was in timber processing and moving on to a harvesting role was a challenge.

My lecturers, Rachel O’Dowd, Tom Kent and Michael Pedini at Waterford Institute of Technology, and Des O’Toole in Coillte.

Contacted the owner of the business through Linkedin, started a conversation and went from there.

Morning routine includes downloading satellite and GPRS data from all machines working on contracts for clients. Analysing the production data and looking at all communication messages from the machines to ensure all Treemetrics devices installed in the machines are working correctly. Ensure that all machines have the correct satellite imagery and shape files, and request the correct shape files from our clients if required.

After this, I will review the schedule for the day and follow up on any machine installations or machine maintenance that are required. Depending on the day, I will have meetings with clients to discuss the progress of their projects and to plan future requirements for the client. Other days may require travelling to visit contractors, harvesters in the forest or clients.

Organising and planning Treemetrics Ltd projects. Analysing production data from harvesting machines. Product testing and research and development. Customer service for national and international clients.

Monitoring a large number of machines working all over the country in everything from first thinnings to clearfells can be tricky. The stem files and production data coming from these machines can be very different. Keeping the machines up to date with the latest software and ensuring the machine has the correct shape file for each harvest unit can be difficult. Also having multiple projects, especially when they are international, can make this extra challenging.

Being involved in innovative pieces of work. Getting involved in field trials and having access to the latest equipment and machinery. Meeting new people in the industry with the same passion and drive as me. The job changes a lot so every week is different.

Working long hours with travelling, and commuting to sites that can be awkward to get around.

I bring my communication and interpersonal skills to the work place, which are very important for this job. On a daily basis I deal with contractors, machine operators and foresters who all can have different demands. I have to be able to communicate issues and technical information to each person differently as they all see an issue different to the next. An important skill I learned in WIT was data analytics.

The ability to interpret and organise raw data is very important when processing harvesting data. Also having an understanding of the productivity of harvesters on different site conditions in first thinning to clear fells allows me to read production data and display it accurately.

All science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics.

I have graduated from Waterford Institute of Technology with the Bachelor of Science in Forestry and the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Land Management in Forestry.

Site visits and work placement on the BSc in Forestry, as well as management and business modules in the add-on 4th year of the BSc in Land Management in Forestry.

The most rewarding event of my career so far was in my last job coordinating and running a large-scale field trial between Medite, Coillte and Waterford Institute of Technology. This project was a big undertaking and was commended by Medite and Coillte. Another rewarding event was being invited to visit the Bord na Mona energy plant in Edenderry and being only one of a handful of people granted access to see the turbine and boilers in the energy plant.

A good work ethic, while still achieving a good work-life balance. Also, good interpersonal skills as I work with different types of people on a daily basis in my current position.

Running my own forestry enterprise of some type.

For the most part, my job suits my lifestyle. I work my own hours which makes the job flexible, however as work gets busier and deadlines come closer my working hours increase.

Be flexible and willing to adapt and keep an open mind when working on challenging problems.

Attention to detail A calm personality Being an outgoing type of person

Not yet.

Working in a role where you deal with customers on a daily basis. Also working with machinery is very important as it gives you an understanding of the ability of harvesting machines and what they can produces in different conditions.

Project Manager at Treemetrics Ltd.