Outdoor Gigs as a Reset, a Launchpad, or Just a Good Life

Earlier this week, I saw a job listing from a group I used to work for. It brought back a rush of memories from a time that quietly set a lot in motion. I didn’t realize it then, but those seasons in outdoor education and trip leading shaped the way I think, live, and work today.

I’ve been having a ton of conversations with graduating students lately. That moment of stepping off campus can feel like standing at the edge of a canyon. The question hits hard:

What now?

There’s this heavy feeling that you need to get the next step right. I remember thinking I either had to settle down in one place forever, or leap into the unknown without a net. The pressure to have it all figured out is real.

So here’s an alternative I wish more people knew about: outdoor education, trip leading, and guiding. Especially if you care about sustainability, climate, food systems, or are just looking for a way to shake things up.

How it started for me

Right after college, I was working at a K-8 school. One of the third-grade teachers, Mrs. Anne Bunch, mentioned her son and I were the same age. She told me he had been spending his summers in Jackson Hole, leading kayaking trips and working at a ranch.

That sounded wild to me. I didn’t think people my age could just... do that. I had this idea that a job had to be heading toward some polished, professional destination. Something in the corporate world and a clear LinkedIn presence. Something that made you feel like you were “in the real world.”

But after I talked to her son, that view shifted. What he was doing was real and badass. He was living in an epic part of the country, saving money, growing his network, and meeting all kinds of coworkers and clients. The experience was helping him slow down and realize there’s no one right way to live. No single version of success.

That conversation cracked something open in me. I stopped trying to make it all make sense right away and stepped toward what felt honest, energizing, and maybe a little uncomfortable in the best way.  I identified Colorado as a cool place to live and threw out as many darts as I could.  Working outside, helping people sounded fun and meaningful, even if I didn’t know what “career” I would have.

Findings from the Field

Outdoor education became one of the most meaningful chapters of my life for a few reasons:

Housing and meals were included This made it financially possible, especially early on. I didn’t have to worry about rent or groceries, allowing me to focus on the work and community more. That kind of setup isn’t common, and it made a big difference.

You're surrounded by community In one contract, I was part of a staff of over 65 people between the ages of 22 and 35. Most of us were at different life stages, but there was a shared curiosity and openness. You’re living and working with people who are asking similar questions and trying to figure things out. It’s easy to grow your network without even trying because people eventually move to other jobs or cities and stay in touch.

You build strong relationships quickly When you spend all day with the same people (working, cooking, hiking, decompressing) it creates closeness. You learn how people think, what makes them tick, and what they care about. Some of my closest friendships came out of these seasons.

Having fun and letting your ego go School causes this energy of getting so wrapped up on where you went, what your major is, have you cured cancer yet, etc. Working with young people and different types of people taught me not to take myself so seriously. For a week, I faked a Dutch accent and told the kids my name was Mongoose. I dyed my hair blonde and pretended to be a coworker. It helped bring a respectful level of play into work, and one that I strive to carry with whatever work I do.

The locations can be incredible I lived and worked in places most people might only see on vacation, if ever. These were not just beautiful landscapes, but places I got to know well over time. It felt like more than just passing through.

You become adaptable and learn how to lead Outdoor ed requires you to plan ahead while staying flexible. You're constantly working with new groups, responding to different needs, managing schedules, guiding conversations, and creating a sense of structure. It’s not just about leading hikes or facilitating activities. You’re managing logistics, shaping curriculum, supporting group dynamics, and making sure the whole experience flows.

In some ways, it’s like running your own small business. You’re in charge of responsibilities that build leadership skills that carry over into any field. You learn how to make thoughtful decisions, communicate clearly, stay organized, build team culture and operations, and adjust quickly when plans shift. It helps you become someone who can step into a wide range of roles with confidence and care.

You reconnect with the non-human world Camping, being outside for long stretches, and unplugging from deadlines helped me step back from the push of school and professional expectations. It gave me space to ask:

 What do I actually care about? 

What kind of life feels right for me?

School is such a busy time with classes, work, social life, and clubs.  I realized I never really took time to reflect on what I fully wanted.  Slowing down helped me notice the things that really matter.  

That clarity made me want to help others find a similar experience. And it doesn’t have to be dramatic or far away to start.

So if you’re curious to pursue more outdoor education and trip leading work, here are some ideas.

Where to start

If moving far away isn’t in the cards right now, look local:

>Farm or garden education centers

>Nature centers, arboretums, and conservatories

>School gardens or nature-based camps

>Local ecology groups or environmental nonprofits

If you’re open to seasonal travel or moving ot a new part of the world, I’d recommend looking on:

>BackdoorJobs.com

>CoolWorks.com

And always talk to someone who’s worked there before. No place is perfect, but firsthand stories will help you gauge the training, culture, and vibe.

A few honest trade-offs

Like anything, this path isn’t always easy.

You’ll have tough days.  Sometimes you’re out in the backcountry with a challenging group and the weather turns, and there’s no “heading home early.” The pay might not always be great, but often your basic needs are covered. It helped me keep costs low while living somewhere beautiful, which mattered a lot to me at the time.

Also, the work is often seasonal. That can make it harder to feel settled. But I saw that as a good thing. It gave me space to reflect, clear the slate, and figure out what came next. Over time, I met folks who helped me explore farming, food systems, and more. One step led to the next, and I never would have gotten there without those early seasons outdoors.

No one Right Way

There’s no one right job, path, or industry. LinkedIn and the professional world can make it feel like there is, but that’s not the full story. You’re not behind if your life doesn’t look like a five-year plan. You’re not wasting time if you take a nontraditional turn and end up loving something you never expected.

We need more people who are genuinely excited to wake up and engage with the world around them. For me, outdoor education helped spark that fire. It gave me space to think, to reset, and to imagine a different kind of future. If you’re feeling unsure of what’s next, maybe it can do that for you too.