This September and October, the Mission Society is excited to host our third annual Virtual Career Fair to introduce students to a variety of professional opportunities and provide invaluable resources for joining the workforce. As part of this series, we spoke to André Ware, co-founder of Bee University, who gave us insight into the career of beekeeping and shared advice on how students can gain valuable experience to enter the field.
As part of our Virtual Career Fair, we had the opportunity to speak with André Ware, Co-Founder of Bee University, an organization that introduces New York City youth to the world of beekeeping. We learned about the vital role bees play in our ecosystem and food supply, and how beekeeping can open doors to a wide range of ecological careers. For our students interested in this field, we’re breaking down what it’s like to be a beekeeper and the key skills and knowledge necessary to get started.
Beekeepers play a central role in supporting the bee populations, ensuring the health of the hive, especially the queen, and keeping an eye out for common issues like mites and diseases. Typically, they inspect their hives weekly or bi-weekly, with more frequent checks during spring and summer and quieter observations during winter. “To care for a hive, see it live through the winter, come back in the spring, and continue to harvest the honey. That is very rewarding,” says André. Beekeepers also perform vital tasks like relocating a swarm by carefully transferring bees to a new hive and providing a safer space, either for their own collection or to sell to other beekeepers. The role of a beekeeper requires close observation, patience, and a good understanding of the needs of bees.
The field of beekeeping has many different streams that can be pursued. André points out that “these days, it isn't just about traditional beekeeping where you care for the hives. There are a multitude of ways where a beekeeper can make a living.” Beekeepers often diversify their streams of income through honey production, which they can harvest and sell during summer and fall. Selling honey provides a way to offer preservative-free, local honey to the community. Beekeepers can also use beeswax to craft and sell products like lip balms, candles, body butters, and soaps. These natural, homemade creations often grow into small businesses, allowing beekeepers to share the wonders of bees with others.
Working with bees calls for specific tools to ensure the safety of both the beekeeper and the bees. A protective hive suit is your first essential piece of gear, shielding the beekeeper from stings while providing enough flexibility for careful inspections. Beekeepers also wear a veil and latex gloves to protect their faces and hands. The trusty smoker is another must-have tool, as a few puffs of calming smoke can make hive checks go smoother by helping the bees stay relaxed and minimizing the hive’s defensive behavior. Another key tool is the hive tool, often called a J-hook, which allows the beekeeper to lift hive frames with ease and inspect without disturbing the bees.
Before going into the field, there are a few important skills every aspiring beekeeper should keep in mind. Bees might hover around you or even land on you, so being at ease with them is important. Instead of swiping them away in fear, André advises anyone entering the hive to remain calm.
Bees recognize faces, so after a few visits, they’ll begin to know who you are, which can be reassuring. However, he stresses the importance of paying attention to the sounds bees make before approaching a hive. Just as humans go through various moods, bees experience a range of emotions, including agitation. A distinct fanning sound can indicate they’re feeling under pressure and might become defensive. Consistency is crucial to developing this knowledge and providing bees regular care– which they rely on during their busiest seasons.
Alongside consistency, a beekeeper needs to build communication skills. André emphasizes that when multiple people open up the hives every week, that can be disruptive for the bees. Communicating with your fellow beekeepers about when they last opened a hive, what treatments they put in it, and how it was done can make or break a colony. Having that direct line of communication for inspection schedules helps reduce stress on the colonies and ensure the hive is healthy.
To get started, André recommends doing an apprenticeship or volunteering at a hive to get that initial knowledge. An apprenticeship with an experienced beekeeper can span a year or two, covering different seasons and the specific challenges each one brings. Another option is the Urban Beekeeping Fellowship they offer at Bee University. The fellowship provides New York City youth, often lacking access to green spaces, a valuable opportunity to connect with nature and explore the field.
Empowering urban communities through hands-on training in beekeeping, leadership, and environmental advocacy also opens doors to other career opportunities beyond the scope of beekeeping. “At Bee University, although we're very much beekeeping-focused, our mission isn't necessarily to turn everyone into beekeepers. We're using beekeeping to introduce them to wider fields or careers in green jobs,” André explains. Once you start learning about beekeeping, you can explore other fields like urban agriculture, food sourcing, and water conservation that are very much related to this work. Whether you're working for a nonprofit or a corporation, beekeeping can be an entry point into impactful, environmentally-conscious careers that can help change the world.
Thank you to André Ware from Bee University for taking the time to share his insight and advice with our students. You can learn more about their work on their website, or by following them on Instagram.
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