If 24 years ago, as she sat at her journalist’s desk, you’d have told Stella Bolam that one day she’d end up working in Arboriculture, she certainly would not have believed you.
As a child, Stella was often found outdoors climbing trees in the garden of her rural Essex family home. If not out in the woods, she’d have her nose buried in a book, ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ by Enid Blyton being one of her favourites. But it was her love of words, not trees, that shaped Stella’s initial career path.
Although a lover of nature, Stella found herself pursuing a career in journalism and communications. It wasn’t until the Covid lockdown that she was able to spend more time outside in local parks, going for walks and reconnecting with nature and trees, that she realised how much happier she was when outside surrounded by greenery. And as fate would have it, in the summer of 2020, as part of Sheffield Tree Week, Stella attended a ‘Women in Arb’ webinar that ultimately led her to consider a career in Arboriculture.
Following the webinar, Stella was able to connect with other individuals and groups in the industry including the Women in Arb group, the brainchild of like-minded female members of the Arb Association. In between working as a freelance copywriter and volunteering as a Street Tree Warden in her local community, Stella began studying for her QCF Level 2 Certificate in Arboriculture with Tree Life.
Fast forward to the present day, Stella is currently working as a Community Forestry Project Development Officer with Sheffield City Council. Whilst no two days are alike, Stella’s working week typically consists of working with local schools and community groups to help them develop their green spaces. In addition, Stella is working towards achieving her Level 4 Diploma in Arboriculture.
For those interested in a career in Arboriculture, Stella’s biggest piece of advice is to connect with others who are already in the industry, learn more about the broad range of jobs available and seek out any local voluntary activities. There are also accredited training courses available to help expand existing knowledge and experiences of anyone wanting to work in the Arboriculture industry.
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