So, You Want to be an Outdoor Professional: How to Embark on a Career in the Outdoor Industry

During college, I spent summers working at a camp, starting on the maintenance crew and eventually leading hiking trips. I found it so fulfilling to facilitate these often novel experiences of being on trail, reading a map, dealing with insects, caring for each other, and celebrating the challenges overcome when we returned.

But I never imagined doing that could be a “real job” until I went all the way to the other side of the planet for my NOLS Semester in New Zealand.

There I had the privilege of encountering bona-fide outdoor professionals, from the gear manager who outfitted us, to the bus driver who expertly navigated winding mountain roads, to thoughtful program supervisors and the amazing instructors who mentored me during those 3 months.

That’s when I realized, not only could I make a career out of loving the outdoors, but that there are so many different ways I could go about doing just that!

I would bet everyone reading this is way less naive about the outdoor industry than I was back in 2016. Maybe you’re thinking of getting an outdoor job yourself.

In this post, you’ll find a series of jumping-off points to help decide if the outdoor industry is right for you, where you might best fit within it, and how to find your first outdoor job.

Hold up a second. What is the“outdoor industry”?

The outdoor industry comprises all commercial enterprises or ventures that promote or otherwise contribute to the recreational use of natural resources and outdoor spaces.

Environmental nonprofits, guide services, wilderness schools, and gear stores are all examples of businesses that would fall under the umbrella of the outdoor industry.

The sector has been growing for the past several years, and shows no sign of slowing down. According to the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s 2019 report, outdoor recreation is a $788 billion industry that supports 5.2 million jobs in the United States.

The figures in the 2020 report (coming out in November 2021) will likely be even higher, given the rise in outdoor participation during the pandemic, Outside Business Journal reports.

What kinds of jobs are we talking about?

From fly fishing guide to backcountry caretaker to shuttle driver, there are so many different paths to pursue! Here’s a list of some of the industry subsets you could explore:

• Education/ Trip leading
• Instructing
• Guiding
• Wilderness therapy
• Camp
• Campgrounds
• Conservation
• Forestry
• Labor/Trail building
• Healthcare/First responder
• Firefighter
• Nautical
• Lodging/Resorts/Retreats
• Food and beverage
• Science/Environment
• National Parks and state parks
• Ranch/ Animal-related jobs
• Farm and garden
• Sales and retail
• Maintenance/Transpo/ other support roles

Whether you’re looking for your first-ever job or making a professional pivot, it makes sense to start by considering the skills you already have and emphasizing those skills to potential employers.

Transferring Your Skills

For example, if you have spent a decade working as a classroom teacher and you’d like to try your hand at working as a wilderness therapy guide, the experiences that you already have are going to serve really well. In a cover letter, you might want to highlight your experience managing student behaviors, creating safe learning environments, and communicating expectations.

Maybe you love what you’re already doing, but you want to do it in a different location, closer to the outdoor pursuits you love. Human resources managers, accountants, graphic designers, fundraisers, social media experts—outdoor companies need all these professionals, too!

Or, say you just graduated high school and you have experience waiting tables. You think you’d like to be a raft guide in Montana, but lack the technical expertise. Maybe look for a food service job in a town famous for its whitewater, and then make friends with the guides who come in for tacos after a long day on the river. Situate yourself so that you are adjacent to where you want to be, and then network!

If you would describe yourself as a “mid-career adult” and are looking to make a turn into the outdoor world—or into any other new world—I would definitely recommend looking into the NOLS Professional Career Transition expedition. Another great opportunity for professional development for would-be or nascent outdoor educators is a NOLS Outdoor Educator course. These courses provide excellent background in risk management for groups and other skills professionals need in the outdoors.

Seasonal Positions

A significant number of the outdoor jobs are seasonal. It makes enough sense—working outside, you’ve got to roll with the seasons: ski instructors work in the winter, chartered sailboats do most of their business in the summer. Typically, these are contract positions that may last 6 weeks to several months. An outdoor education instructor working in California could work from January to June during a spring season, and an administrative position at that same facility could have a 9-month contract that goes through the academic year. If you’re a prep cook at a resort in Alaska, you may work the summer into the fall.

Seasonal jobs are a great way to travel to beautiful places, meet interesting and adventurous people, and try new activities, all while making money. Some seasonal positions include employee-provided housing and/or meals, which can create tight-knit co-working and co-living communities.

Considerations for Seasonal Employment

There can also be downsides to seasonal employment. Moving around so much can be expensive, and having a reliable vehicle into which you can pack your worldly possessions is pretty crucial. There is a lot of uncertainty when you need to potentially find a new job every 3 months, and taking care of yourself financially can be a real challenge.

It’s important to be mindful of monthly expenses like student loan payments or car payments, family responsibilities, pets, etc.

Seasonal jobs don’t provide benefits like health care or retirement, and you can expect to work long hours, often including weekends, evenings or nights, and holidays. You may go long stretches without being able to travel home to see family and friends. And those communal living setups can feel claustrophobic or even toxic if conflict is not handled well.

Self-awareness—likes, dislikes, needs, wants, how to set and uphold personal boundaries—is a critical tool in your toolbox as a seasonal worker.

Am I too old?

Short answer: no!

Longer answer: if you have the energy, fitness, and desire to work outdoors, there’s no reason age should be a limiting factor.

Which certifications are helpful to have when pursuing an outdoor job?

Again, it really depends on what part of the industry you’re looking to enter. For a position with any significant backcountry travel component, it’s standard to ask applicants to have a current Wilderness First Responder certification. The level above Wilderness First Responder would be Wilderness EMT, and the level below would be Wilderness First Aid.

Other useful certifications are CPR/First Aid, lifeguard, and Leave No Trace Master Educator or Trainer. There may be specific training provided prior to the start of a position; sometimes paid, sometimes not. Employers tend to be very clear about what certifications they require or prefer in position descriptions, so pay close attention to that when you begin your search.

If you apply for a job that involves interacting with children, expect to be fingerprinted and background checked.

Ok, I want to work in the outdoor industry. Now what?

Fantastic! Once you’ve figured out what kind of job you’d like to pursue, the next step is to go find one.

The NOLS JobsNetwork is an excellent resource available to all NOLS alumni. Over 2,000 employers post jobs there specifically looking for applicants with NOLS experience. This is also where you can find job openings at NOLS—seasonal, full-time, and partt-ime, at all of our locations.

Here’s a list of some other outdoor job boards:

• Association for Experiential Education Jobs Clearing House
• Cool Works
• The Outdoor Industry Jobs Marketplace
• Occupation Wild
• Adventure Job Board
• Wander Jobs
• Backdoor Jobs
• The Student Conservation Association

If you’re not ready to make a geographic move or you’d like to gain more experience first, look for positions at local gear shops, landscaping or gardening, outdoor-centric afterschool programs, climbing gyms, or anything else that could serve as a stepping stone towards a future goal.

Volunteering with conservation organizations to clean up trails, beaches, or climbing areas can also be a great way to make connections.

The rest is up to you! Get out there, do something cool, and have fun!

Learn more about training to advance your career on NOLS’ Outdoor Careers page.