outdoor jobs

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grant4353

Joined
Aug 15, 2003
Messages
185
does anyone here homestead or have a job where they spend a lot of time outside, something different then the 9 to 5 till your 65?
 
I`m a land surveyor, and I spend most of my working days outside. And we don`t work 9 to 5 in Norway, but 8 to 4:) .
 
There are the smoker jumpers and wildland firefighters. And I'm pretty sure most switch careers or retire out of it before they reach 65.
 
Department of Fish and Game
Forest Service
Geologist
Field Paleontologist

Hmm, can't think of any more off hand. You think of some let me know, I'm lookin too ;)
 
outdoor industry manaufacturer's representative
film location scout
film location manager
field geologist
 
I'm a nature photographer. I am outside most of the time. I just came back from 34 days outside, a couple days ago. I'll be heading back out, a few days after the holidays.

--Mike
 
Do'nt know if this counts,but I'm in construction and outdoors everyday. Sometimes it's in the middle of a metro but every once in a while we're out in the woods. Lot's more fun. POOL
 
I spend 60 to 70 hours per week outside saving the environment from the human race.

I also get to help a great deal of people.

I never seem to be able to lose that sunglass/racoon tan line across my face. This summer I decided it was a badge of honor.

When everyone else was running around looking for the A/C, I was perfectly comfortable/acclimated.
 
Originally posted by Evolute
I'm a nature photographer. I am outside most of the time. I just came back from 34 days outside, a couple days ago. I'll be heading back out, a few days after the holidays.

--Mike
Click to expand...

Mike,
Your photos are awesome. Could you share with a green horn like me how to get started in nature photography. I'm at the crossroads right now and that has always been a childhood fantasy of mine.

thanks,
 
I do FHM/FIA forest invetories for the Forest Service. Great hikes, great views, I love the job so far. Lots of camping.
Sometimes 50-60hr weeks are common.
 
Specialized film crews
Lots of volunteer work available
Various biologists specialties have a good dose of outdoor work

SAR teams, though usually volunteer

Paper and wood industry for good or ill

Outdoor Guiding services,

Youth "redirection" businesses for "troubled" youth. Pick VERY carefully.

Phil
 
Utility field crews (telephone linemen, cable installers, sewer workers, etc.)
Landscapers
Park employees at almost every level
Roofers
Barge crews
Commercial fishermen
Mounted (two wheels or four hooves) Police
Pool cleaners

I've done the Parks and landscaping thing before, and I used to deliver and install home fitness/recreation equipment. I've set up more basketball goals than I can remember, and you've gotta get real creative with leverage when you're doing it solo. ;)

I always liked working outdoors, in spite of the fact that I'm allergic to grass and most tree pollen. :eek:
 
Quiet Storm said:
Soldier in basic training :)
Click to expand...

-or a soldier in the 10th Mountain Division. ;) I've heard many times that the 10th spends more time "in the field" than any other Army unit, with the possible exceptions of Rangers, SF, etc.
 
I worked most of the 90's as a Forester and Silviculturalist. At one time the job was definitely worth the low pay, even with a 4-year degree. And FYI, being a natural resource professional is for the most part an 8 to 5 job. When I started out of college as a "dirt forester," I was spending 50% of my time in the field, 50 in the office. And being in the field can sometimes be just like being in the office if you aren't doing what interests you. As I moved up the ladder, even more and more time was spent in the office. You can love forestry, be interested in silviculture, dendrology, agronomy, champion trees, weed science, etc. and end up cruising pine plantations and doing statistical analysis a majority of the time. Therefore be careful.

While I wouldn't trade my education for anything… and, for a while I was doing exactly what I wanted, it is usually the case you won't do what exactly interests you, especially if you are working for someone else.

Not sure what you are looking for, or if college interests you, as I take from seeing many of your previous posts you are probably in your early 20’s – but keep in mind that is not always a bad thing to do something that doesn't exactly interest you to afford to do exactly what does. Just take that as an alternative.

Take a look at this and the links below for a different perspective that should provoke additional thought on the subject…

Escaping the Job Trap
Its a Matter of Time, NOT Money!
By Thomas J. Elpel,​
As a one who has successfully built a resource-efficient home and a green publishing business, people often ask me what they can do to make their own life situations more sustainable. That is a challenging question to answer, since sustainability issues tend to be tied to all aspects of the way we live and work; it can be difficult to make real change without changing everything. Creating a truly sustainable lifestyle can require a whole new approach to the way you make a living and achieve your Dreams. The key to success is in being able to escape the Job Trap.

I meet a lot of people with great Dreams. For many it is a Dream to own their own home without a mortgage. For others it is a Dream to start their own business, to be free from an existing job they are not satisfied with. Some people simply want to travel the world or be free to sit under a tree and play a guitar. Most people I meet have a million dollar idea they would love to bring to fruition, but neither the time nor the resources to make it happen. Other people have described to me their frustration with being trapped in a way of life they do not believe in and how they Dream of living a more sustainable lifestyle. Nearly everyone I meet is too busy treading water, trying to stay afloat among the bills and debt to even think about their Dreams anymore. Like a mantra, I hear people say it over and over again: "I know I could break free if I could just make a little more money." That idea is one of the grand illusions of the universe.
Here is the rest of the article… http://www.hollowtop.com/cls_html/jobtrap.htm

Also see… http://www.primitive.org/nothing.htm

EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY FOR A FORESTER!!!
 
Well,I'm not sure if your looking for a job that takes you outdoors,but i find being a firefighter I get to be outside a fair amount.I also get to repell,swift water training etc at work.

But the BEST thing is its a job that gives me TONS of free time to do my outdoor hobbies.I'm off during the day 22-23 days a month.I waterski,hunt,hike, canoe during the week when its far less crowded. :cool:

See its one thing to work outside,but your STILL WORKING,its another to have the free time to do what YOU want,not what the boss wants.
 
Many of these are impractical, but all are possible if you want to

US Marine
Start a paintball field
managing a summer camp
hunting guide
pro fisherman
pro hunter
run a nature show
trapper
 
Thanks for all the replys, nice to see this thread back. Ya I read the elpel article a while ago, and have that book to, it's cool, I have a list of books about that kind of that i wanna get. Ive read about different things, I'm not sure what I'm gonna do after high school, I wanna do something outside with survival and nature skills.
 
Geologists Field Assistant seems like a good, healthy, well paid and adventurous job. Most 'fieldies' have no formal training but get to camp out for 3-6 months at a time in some of the wildest remote places on the planet.

The job involves collecting soild and rock samples, driving through the bush in a 4WD, camping most nights under the stars etc.
 
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