Chris,
For I am one of several young people one this forum who are all interested in the outdoor world.
The topic “careers” came up today at school and well… I need some advice.
I looked at SAR teams around the world but they are only voluntarily based. There does not seem to be a lot out there for us outdoor enthusiasts to make a decent career out of. The only real option is to work in the tourist sector 
Maybe you could enlighten us/me with advice and personal history of how you got were you are.

reinhardt

Being in a similar position to reinhardt, i'm very interested too.

Reinhardt, The late Joseph Campbell always told his students to "Follow your bliss." Living ( I hate the phrase work) outdoors for a living means most of us have to give something to society in return; extractive industries that often devour what we love, tourism which hopefully only extract greater love and value for it or the sciences. I more or less stumbled into my avocations. Service during Vietnam was unpopular and I faced a family tradition of naval service. I somehow managed to enlist in the Coast Guard( to my family's tearing of hair and clothing-mine) and had a rich experience. Military service truly does offer opportunities and training with a little forethought. My university time was well served by it. When your paying for a english lit class with 6 years of benefits no 'doctorate' is going to read class struggle into the seating arrangement of Stephen's short story THE OPEN BOAT. Not without a former lifeboat coxswain in the front row <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. I was in a introductory field course in archaeology one summer. The grad students were making jokes about 'blowtorch archaeology' in Alaska. I said something to the effect I loved Alaska in the winter, and had my own snowshoes and bear rifle. Quietly smoking his pipe was my future mentor who was a seasonal associate at the Fairbanks campus of the state university. Quess who got an actual job in the field ( the rifle and snowshoes helped?) Once there I found myself discussing conservation issues with several people from many backgrounds. Next season I found myself as a paid intern for a major conservation group. The fact I knew how to ride a horse and wasn't a vegetarian ( this was the start of the Yellowstone Park Bison controversy) helped make a few key friendships with the locals. Is there a pattern here? Not according to my family <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />, but if you want a career OUTDOORS, you have to GO OUTDOORS. There are countless opportunities. You just have to be there when inspiration and lots of friendships come together. That, and a bear rifle and snowshoes in Los Angeles excavating a section of the notorious Alleyway of prostitute cribs, opium parlours and saloons under a freeway cloverleaf <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Several careers involve working outdoors. I have made a small list, but keep in mind it is not all-inclusive. As far as the outdoor rescue work goes, yes it is almost all volunteer. Average is 98% volunteer. The remaining are made up from employers like the National Park Service (US) and Border Patrol (US) even some Fire and EMS departments have a “specialized rescue” organization, such as Los Angeles Fire Department’s Urban SAR.

Forest Service (US)
National Park Service (US)
Ministry of Lands, Air & Water (Canada)
Coast Guard (US and Canada)
Wildlife and Fishery
Archaeology
Astronomy

These are very broad and each has its own sub-category. As Chris K said, the main idea is to get outdoors.

Reinhardt,

I don't know whereabouts in UK you are but, if you want to get involved in volunteer rescue I can help you as a member of British Civil Defence (HQ in Boston-Lincolnshire).

Speaking of tourist sector, I have been in Plas Menai in Wales for power boat training. These guys over there were excellent people and instructors were very good. They also do trekking and rapelling etc. Maybe a visit to a place like that may give you some insight about the tourist sector. They always need new instructors.

Burak

Speaking as a near-sighted computer programmer who is most comfortable indoors, breathing filtered air, sitting in front of a computer screen or watching digital cable, I found your message well written.

I like looking over the fence from time to time. Grin.

Blimey! I also had power boat training in the Menai Strais. What a coincedence. We must have gone to the same place. I also did climbing in their excellent indoor climbing hall. Fantastic <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Some other careers that might be of interest could include:

Geologist
Veterinarian
Wildlife Biologist
Marine Biologist
Game Warden

Good luck,

John

I was there three years ago. I liked it a lot, especially the exercise under the bridge. Then we moved to Lincolnshire. The rescue boat we practised on in the dike there was 3.5 meters with a 75 bhp engine. A team member had hit the bank with it at full speed while I was on board and we flew over the bank right into a field. I almost broke my neck and the team member still carries the nick name 007 due to the abilty to ride boats on the land <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Burak

I grew up not 10 minutes walk from the Menai Bridge!! My parents still live there. I often walk along the straits when I'm home. Maybe some of the people I've seen on the water were you guys?
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