By Andi Anderson
Sophia DeMoss, a senior forestry major at Purdue University with a concentration in forest management, spent her summer turning classroom lessons into real field skills as an FNR Woodlands intern.
The Martinsville, Indiana, native first learned of the internship from a former participant and secured the position after meeting an FNR forester at the school’s career fair.
Her daily work included controlling invasive species, improving timber stands, and assisting with timber harvesting. “I got real-world experience in everything I have learned in my classes,” Sophia said. “The internship made a lot of things click for me that I didn’t really understand after learning them in class.”
Sophia strengthened her knowledge of silviculture, machine handling, chainsaw techniques, and chemical treatments for invasive plants. She especially enjoyed working outdoors for long hours and mastering chainsaw skills, noting that tree felling will help her stand out in the firefighting job market.
Mixing chemicals for invasive control was her biggest challenge, requiring careful math to achieve the correct concentrations.
Her forestry background already included a summer job as a steward at the Yellowstone Club in Montana, participation in FNR’s Summer Practicum, and a study abroad course in Sweden focused on sustainable natural resources.
On campus, Sophia is active in the Society of American Foresters, the Purdue Student Society of Arboriculture, and Boiler Catholics ministries.
The internship broadened her career outlook without altering her plans. “It opened up some doors for me,” she said, adding that she discovered a new interest in scaling logs after harvest.
By blending academic knowledge with extensive fieldwork, Sophia gained practical skills and confidence, preparing her for a successful career in forest management and related fields.
Photo Credit: purdue-university
Categories: Indiana, Education