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Alumni Career Spotlight: Micah Pace

Micah Pace   
Natural Resources Management ‘00  
Director of Consulting, Preservation Tree Services, Inc.  

Headshot of Micah Pace with green plants in the background

Micah earned a degree in Natural Resources Management from SENR in 2000. During his time in SENR, he was involved in Society of American Foresters (SAF) and worked off campus as a foreman for a local landscaping company. After graduation, Micah obtained a Master of Science in Forestry at the University of Maine and is now the Director of Consulting for Preservation Tree Services, Inc., a Dallas-based arboricultural firm.  

Read the full interview with Micah: 

A Glance at Micah’s Current Work  

I am currently the Director of Consulting for Preservation Tree Services, Inc., a Dallas-based arboricultural firm. My main responsibilities include helping people solve issues they face with their trees, but every day varies. Some days, I help people with pest and disease issues. Other days, I’m working on pending litigation between two parties involving a dispute over trees or damage caused by trees. The most rewarding part of my job is when I am able to assist someone preserve a beloved tree. Enabling a tree to continue to add value to the property on which it grows and maximize the environmental benefits it provides is very fulfilling. Micah Pace measuring tree trunk diameter wearing a hard helmet and in the woods

Professional Development   

What were you involved in during college?   

During my undergraduate years, I was involved in the Society of American Foresters (SFA). I also participated in an entomology study of ants as a self-study course credit for one year which was an interesting experience. In addition, I worked off campus as a foreman for a local landscaping company.  

What advice would you give to someone who is still in college and hoping to do what you do?   

I think being patient is one of the hardest things to do in one’s career. Taking the time to build your skill set properly and learn from others around you in order to achieve personal and professional goals and position yourself for new opportunities is key. Pushing oneself to continue to learn even after school is critical to success. Always look for skills that can help set yourself apart.  

What experience do you feel was most valuable in your professional development?   

Accepting a research assistantship at the University of Maine was a decision that shaped the last 20 years of my life. I highly recommend graduate school (especially if it takes you out of your comfort zone and a place you already know) to anyone looking to grow both in their respective field but also personally. 

"My advice to soon-to-be-graduating undergraduates is to be bold. Be brave."

Post-Graduation  

What did you do immediately post-graduation?   

I performed research and studies at the University of Maine following my undergraduate work at OSU. Following completion of my graduate studies in Maine, I took an opportunity to work with the Peace Corps in South America. My advice to soon-to-be-graduating undergraduates is to be bold. Be brave. Accept that no one is going to outline your life for you. No one is going to provide you a road map for success. Find something you want to be passionate about and go after it. Finally, understand that the mistakes, missteps, and errors you make are your friends. They will teach you more than anything else…if you’re paying attention. In order to help decide what to do after graduation, I recommend speaking with a professor that you trust about possible opportunities. Show initiative and be willing to take chances.  

Micah receiving a service award at the 2019 Texas Tree Conference   

What was most important to you in your job search?   

I’d advise a new graduate to be flexible. Take an opportunity almost anywhere. Getting a start is sometimes all one needs. It is hard to advance to higher positions/job levels without some solid foundation of experience. Don’t look at the first job as a destination. It is a tool for the multitude of professional experiences to come. 

 

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How to connect with Micah:  

LinkedIn 

Preservation Tree Services Program Page 

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Post created June 2021