How do university students perceive forestry and wildlife management degrees?

Abstract

University forestry programs are confronting multiple challenges including enrollment, diversity, image, and knowledge of career options. Studies have focused on perceptions and factors influencing forestry students, but few have concentrated on students who have chosen other majors. Faculty from Stephen F. Austin State University and the University of Arkansas at Monticello worked with students to develop and to deliver a short survey to students with non-natural resource majors using stratified, purposive sampling. Survey questions were designed to obtain non-natural resource students’ perceptions of forestry and wildlife management. After categorizing survey responses, χ2 analysis was applied to investigate differences across demographic variables and responses to the survey questions. Significant relationships were found for gender and race on multiple survey questions. Perception differences among categories of respondents provide a starting point for more in-depth and representative future studies. By better understanding the perceptions of non-natural resource students, recruitment processes may be improved and diversity enhanced.