#WomenInForestry – meet Julia Rees
Dargle Poles
Director of the Family Buisness
Qualifications:
- BSc (Hons) Microbiology
- BComm Marketing
- Dip Packaging Technology
Forestry career:
I am part of a family business, I run along side my father. My role focuses more on the pole production, marketing, finances, and HR admin. We also grow and harvest our own timber, as well as that of local farmers.
The two pivotal moments in my career include winning the major scholarship to St John’s DSG, as well as being recruited by Unilever after completing my degree in Microbiology. These were incredible places to learn, grow, and find confidence.
Beyond wanting to run a successful and happy organization, I want to make a difference and through our business provide opportunities to our staff, customers, suppliers, and community, for constant improvement and growth whether personally or economically.
WHY I LOVE WORKING IN THE FORESTRY SECTOR
The forestry sector is everything good about South Africa – a successful and influential sector, with hardworking, energetic, and unpretentious people. And it involves a lot of fresh air and sunshine! I love the complexity of the field – a combination of farming, ecology, chemistry, manufacturing, marketing, finance and economics amongst others!
MY ADVICE TO THOSE EXPLORING A CAREER IN FORESTRY
As with anything in life, look for small opportunities and use them to full advantage to learn, question, and engage. Approaching these situations with enthusiasm, energy, and a will to learn and work hard, and bigger doors will most certainly open down the line.
