Outdoor education has emerged as a rapidly growing industry, promising unlimited adventure, learning, and enjoyment. Consequently, the demand for experienced and trained outdoor instructors is on the rise. If you're considering embarking on this path, or if you've recently completed your outdoor instructor training, this article aims to guide you through the various career prospects that lie ahead.
Outdoor instructor training equips you with the required skills to lead outdoor activities safely and effectively. It also provides an unbeatable mix of personal development, leadership, and specific practical skills. But, where does one go after acquiring all these skills? What are the career paths available? Let's take a look.
1. Outdoor Instructor or Educator: The most direct career path after training is working as a professional outdoor instructor or educator. These roles may be found within outdoor activity centers, adventurous camps for kids, or adult adventure packages. Outdoor instructors are responsible for guiding individuals or groups during outdoor activities, teaching the required skills, briefing about safety measures, and, importantly, ensuring the participants' welfare.
2. Wilderness Guide: With your skills as an outdoor instructor, you can also transition into a wilderness guide. This job involves accompanying groups to wilderness areas and educating them about the wildlife, flora, and conservation practices. It might involve physically challenging activities like backpacking, bushcraft, rock climbing, or water activities.
3. Corporate Trainer: Organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of team-building exercises in the outdoors. Your skills as an outdoor instructor can make you a valuable resource for corporate training programs. Many companies hire outdoor instructors for such exercises, which can range from orienteering to high rope challenges, to facilitate team cohesion and leadership development.
4. Adventure Tourism: Adventure tourism has emerged as a popular sector in the tourism industry. As an outdoor instructor, you can lead adventure tours, such as mountaineering, trekking, cycling, paddle boarding, and scuba diving. You can also work as a part of the safety crew in these tours, or even end up managing adventure tours.
5. Outdoor Therapist: Combining knowledge of outdoor education with psychology can open another intriguing career avenue—outdoor therapy. Outdoor therapists use nature as a conduit for therapeutic intervention, helping clients overcome mental or emotional issues.
6. Recreation Manager: The skills acquired from your outdoor instructor training can also lead to managerial roles in recreation centers, national parks, or outdoor camps. As a recreation manager, you would oversee the operations of such facilities, manage staff, and ensure the safety of visitors.
7. Freelance Outdoor Instructor: The gig economy is growing, and there's a place for outdoor instructors in it too. As a freelancer, you can work with a variety of organizations on a contract basis. This outdoor instructor training allows for flexibility and diversity in your work.
Undeniably, the journey after outdoor instructor training is not limited to these paths alone. There are numerous niches within the outdoor industry where your skills can be beneficial. For instance, the training can serve as a foundation for more specialized roles like search and rescue coordinator, outdoor photographer, or even a survival TV show crew member.
However, it's key to remember that the industry highly values experience. So, it's essential to continue learning and seek opportunities to grow. Also, networking in this industry can be of great help. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, nurturing a genuine love for nature, adventure, and teaching shapes a gratifying career in outdoor education.
Wrapping up, a world of opportunity awaits after completing your outdoor instructor training. With a variety of career paths within the growing outdoor industry, an exciting future lies ahead. Embrace the adventure, and navigate your future with confidence and fervor.
Outdoor instructor training equips you with the required skills to lead outdoor activities safely and effectively. It also provides an unbeatable mix of personal development, leadership, and specific practical skills. But, where does one go after acquiring all these skills? What are the career paths available? Let's take a look.
1. Outdoor Instructor or Educator: The most direct career path after training is working as a professional outdoor instructor or educator. These roles may be found within outdoor activity centers, adventurous camps for kids, or adult adventure packages. Outdoor instructors are responsible for guiding individuals or groups during outdoor activities, teaching the required skills, briefing about safety measures, and, importantly, ensuring the participants' welfare.
2. Wilderness Guide: With your skills as an outdoor instructor, you can also transition into a wilderness guide. This job involves accompanying groups to wilderness areas and educating them about the wildlife, flora, and conservation practices. It might involve physically challenging activities like backpacking, bushcraft, rock climbing, or water activities.
3. Corporate Trainer: Organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of team-building exercises in the outdoors. Your skills as an outdoor instructor can make you a valuable resource for corporate training programs. Many companies hire outdoor instructors for such exercises, which can range from orienteering to high rope challenges, to facilitate team cohesion and leadership development.
4. Adventure Tourism: Adventure tourism has emerged as a popular sector in the tourism industry. As an outdoor instructor, you can lead adventure tours, such as mountaineering, trekking, cycling, paddle boarding, and scuba diving. You can also work as a part of the safety crew in these tours, or even end up managing adventure tours.
5. Outdoor Therapist: Combining knowledge of outdoor education with psychology can open another intriguing career avenue—outdoor therapy. Outdoor therapists use nature as a conduit for therapeutic intervention, helping clients overcome mental or emotional issues.
6. Recreation Manager: The skills acquired from your outdoor instructor training can also lead to managerial roles in recreation centers, national parks, or outdoor camps. As a recreation manager, you would oversee the operations of such facilities, manage staff, and ensure the safety of visitors.
7. Freelance Outdoor Instructor: The gig economy is growing, and there's a place for outdoor instructors in it too. As a freelancer, you can work with a variety of organizations on a contract basis. This outdoor instructor training allows for flexibility and diversity in your work.
Undeniably, the journey after outdoor instructor training is not limited to these paths alone. There are numerous niches within the outdoor industry where your skills can be beneficial. For instance, the training can serve as a foundation for more specialized roles like search and rescue coordinator, outdoor photographer, or even a survival TV show crew member.
However, it's key to remember that the industry highly values experience. So, it's essential to continue learning and seek opportunities to grow. Also, networking in this industry can be of great help. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, nurturing a genuine love for nature, adventure, and teaching shapes a gratifying career in outdoor education.
Wrapping up, a world of opportunity awaits after completing your outdoor instructor training. With a variety of career paths within the growing outdoor industry, an exciting future lies ahead. Embrace the adventure, and navigate your future with confidence and fervor.