If you don't graduate from high school, companies don't want to hear from you. This is a technically sophisticated industry that needs equally technically sophisticated employees.

With a high school education only, you could start working at a company in production. This means you will be lugging lumber around and sweeping floors to start. You could upgrade your skills (and make yourself more valuable) by taking short technical courses like grading and First Aid. The company may even pay for these courses, as well as put you through their own training programs. Over time, you could work your way up to operating machinery. Obviously the more you upgrade your skills, the more valuable you are, and the better your chances are to move up.

As a technical institute or college grad with a wood processing diploma, your employment prospects are good.. You may even land a junior supervisory position. But you will still need to start on the ground floor to understand the business. Naturally, your ability to learn quickly and master skills means you'll probably move up quickly. With this kind of an education, a future management role is not out of the question.. It depends on the company and whether or not you prove you're worthy.

Technical institutes (and some colleges) will also offer programs in the skilled trades (ie. millwrights, electricians, welder/fabricators etc.). Now, a skilled trade is not a bad move - especially if you like working with your hands. Good trades people are always in demand and the wages are good.

If you're interested in management (one day), find a wood processing program at the University level - one that combines wood engineering with general business education. If you graduate and do well, your job prospects are excellent. Companies will likely come looking for you. They need people with the brain power and technical knowledge to make their companies competitive into the next millennium. You'll still have to learn the business from the ground up, but your career potential is virtually unlimited. One day, you could be president or C.E.O. and be taking home the paycheck that comes with those titles.

Anyway, that's the end of The Guide.