There are a growing number of jobs in the outdoor industry, but which one is right for you? One of the biggest problems that you might face is determining what exactly the outdoor industry is. Once you do that, it is all about identifying what type of job you want within the industry. Here is a quick look at what types of jobs actually make up the outdoor and industry and which types might be the best fit for you.
What Are Jobs in Outdoor Industry?
In general, people refer to the outdoor industry as the companies who manufacture or distribute outdoor gear and apparel. This spans everything from hiking and biking to hunting and fishing. Retailers are often included in this industry as well. Along with the creation of these products, there are also jobs such as being a guide/instructor that will fall into this category as well. Some of the sub-industries that are generally classified as being in the outdoor industry include: water-sports, climbing/mountaineering, extreme sports, hunting/shooting, winter sports, fishing, fitness, specialty travel, and wilderness/adventure travel.
What Type of Jobs Are Actually Available?
Now that you have a better idea of what the outdoor industry actually is, the next step is identifying the types of jobs that are right for you. On one end of the spectrum you have the product-side of things. This side has a variety of different opportunities ranging from general manufacturing and retail sales to equipment design and product testing. The required level of education and experience can range widely based upon what level of position you are looking into.
On the other end of the spectrum, you find a lot more service oriented jobs. This could mean that you work for an adventure company and provide guided tours, fishing trips, or hunting expeditions It could also mean that you are the one booking these trips. In most cases, the service side of this industry will require that you have a very good knowledge and preferably a lot of experience in the specific area that you are working. This is especially important if you are guiding people on tours and trips.
How to Find Jobs in the Outdoor Industry
If you are looking for a job or business opportunity in this industry then there are two different approaches that you can take. The first is to treat it like any other job search. This means using tools like Craigslist and online job search sites. The other option is to target specific sub-industries. A great way to do this is by getting involved with industry associations like Leave No Trace or the American Alpine Club. There are a growing number of these types of associations both locally and nationally. You can also use executive search firms that specifically target this industry such as the Forest Group or Frontier Talent.
When it comes to jobs in the outdoor industry, you probably have a lot more options that you think. The key is deciding what you want to do and then using the right resources to get matched up with the best possible opportunity.
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