Re-POST! 3 Strategies To Support Your Career With An Adventurous Career Path

Adam from Hiking The Trail shares his tips and tricks to live a life of adventure (and not live on your friend's couch!)

Outdoor activities are growing in popularity among Americans. In 2016, 14 percent of Americans participated in hiking, while another 14 percent camped or backpacked, equivalent to over 40 million participants, Outdoor Foundation data shows. Participation was even higher among younger Americans 24 years old and under, with 18 percent of those 18 to 24 hiking and 15 percent camping or backpacking. These figures reflect the growing participation of Millennials and their children in outdoor activities. A million more households have joined the ranks of campers each year since 2014, according to Kampgrounds of America.

Hiking and camping can be a great way to get away from work, but finding time to get away from work to enjoy them can be a challenge. Here are three adventurous strategies to help you find a career path to support a life-work balance that lets you enjoy outdoor activities.

Take a Job in the Outdoor Industry

One way to balance your love for the outdoors with work is to take a job in the outdoor industry. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics currently foresees a 14 percent increase in jobs for outdoor guides. You can take a job as an outdoor guide at a site such as a summer camp or national park, or with a nonprofit organization that operates a camping ground. Being an outdoor guide involves organizing activities such as hiking and camping, communicating safety rules and other rules to participants, and educating participants about nature.

Outdoor guide jobs can range from serving as a recreation leader to being a park ranger to managing a resort. You will typically need at least a high school diploma, along with certification in any special skills such as whitewater rafting. Having first aid training, public speaking experience, knowledge of local natural highlights, and experience will also help you get a foot in the door, advises nature photographer Tara Stamnes. Other jobs in the outdoor industry include whitewater instructor, ski instructor, and marine biologist.

Work Remotely Near the Great Outdoors

Another way to support an outdoor-oriented lifestyle is to find a job that lets you work remotely from a location where you have access to the great outdoors. The rise of the Internet and mobile technology has opened up more remote work possibilities than ever before, with 43 percent of employed Americans now spending at least some of their time working from home, according to Gallup research.

Remote work opportunities now encompass a wide range of fields, including some very high-paying careers. For instance, you can earn six figures a year working remotely in computer-related fields such as software development, systems engineering, and user experience researcher. Other fields that offer remote work opportunities include project management, business analysis, marketing, healthcare, and administrative assistance.

Start a Location-Independent Home Business

Another option is running a home-based business that allows you to locate yourself near the great outdoors. A number of home-based business opportunities can be run from virtually anywhere. For instance, Amway independent business owners sell health, beauty, and home products, which can be done locally or online. Working as a driver for a company such as Uber can be done from virtually any location.

You can also run a home-based business online. For instance, a freelance graphic designer can work from anywhere you can set up a tablet and an Internet connection. Other Internet-based business opportunities include freelance writing, web design, email marketing, and translating.

If you want a career that takes you closer to the great outdoors, there are many paths you can take. From taking a job in the outdoor industry to working remotely to running a home-based business, there is no shortage of opportunities available. Research your options and pick the one that best fits your goals, interests, and skill set, and with luck, you’ll soon be working at a job that lets you spend more time enjoying the great outdoors.