Fitness & Outdoors Careers

If you're looking for a way to stay active, spend time outdoors and earn money, consider a career in fitness and outdoors. Many career opportunities are available, including full-time management and part-time positions. If you want to make your livelihood from a fitness or outdoor career, consider pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher in exercise science, sport management or recreation. Each of these degree plans will prepare you for the rigors of an outdoor or fitness career.

Outdoor Guide

After receiving a degree in recreation management and achieving certifications in specialties such as rock climbing, mountaineering, wilderness first aid or scuba diving, you can pursue instructor or outdoor guide positions for expedition companies or nonprofit organizations such as Outward Bound. While you may have to spend some time in the office preparing for a trip, helping raise money or inventorying equipment, much of your job will be spent outside. Outdoor guides sometimes specialize in a certain area such as whitewater rafting expeditions, but other positions may include a variety of outdoor adventure activities. While a degree in the field is usually beneficial, some companies will consider hiring people with a certain number of years experience and appropriate certifications.

Camp Positions

Organizations such as the American Camp Association regularly publish camp job openings around the country. Some of these jobs are seasonal positions, but a great number of them are year round, full time management. For instance, you might have the opportunity to coordinate ropes courses or outdoor instruction. If you want a more permanent position, consider camp director openings or operations manager positions. Usually, the higher up in management you get, the more time you have to spend behind a desk.

Ski Instructor

Even though the ski season only lasts four to six months, if you love to ski and enjoy teaching, consider being a ski instructor at a ski resort. Even though ski instructor certifications are available, you might be able to finagle a position without one if you can prove your expertise and teaching skill. According to ski instructor Caitlin Hoffer of Stayton, Oregon, it's rewarding seeing non-skiers get the hang of hitting the slopes, and many ski resorts offer benefits such as free lift tickets and discounts for friends and family.