I am so stoked right now...

[brice618]

I just got an awesome job! I will be working for the Outdoor Pursuit Center here at texas tech. Leading skiing, hiking, climbing, canoing, diving, and hopefully I can convince them to try a fly fishing trip or two! I am beyond stoked... I get to go on all of these trips for free, and of course do work, but I can't imagine what would be a better use of my time. I am elated!

[lemon boy]

NICE! Get in touch with iskibc for pointers.

Congrats man.

[hop]

word! Good jobs are hard to find...

[iskibc]

Congrats! You are going to love your job. Did you get your degree in outdoor ed.? If so, where?

I have been working in higher education outdoor ed./leadership for 5 years now and wouldn't change a thing (well, except for the money ). It's hard work, but very fun and rewarding.

[Odin]

Even though you are in lubbock (dust cloud capital of the world) that sounds like a pretty cool job!

Lots of time in big bend, eh? Taking trips out to the dust flats of Monahans?

[doublediamond223]

Congrats, Brice!

You need to come climbing with me...

[brice618]

I am not a higher up kind as I'm still in college, I will be training for the first year or so and then after that I will get my own trips. I'll be getting my WFR which I am really excited about. Its not as intense as what you do Dave, its focused around taking people from the college out. We go on mostly intermediate trips and a few experienced trips. I will be doing it till I get my masters in architecture, so for a few years.


Odin, we do both of those trips.

[hutash]

I used to love those type trips back in my college days. The guides had it pretty easy since everybody chipped in and gave a hand doing everything. Unlike pro guide trips where the guests expect everything to be done for them, including wiping the asses. Fun times in those days, if only it weren't for all the finals.

[iskibc]

I am not a higher up kind as I'm still in college, I will be training for the first year or so and then after that I will get my own trips. I'll be getting my WFR which I am really excited about. Its not as intense as what you do Dave, its focused around taking people from the college out. We go on mostly intermediate trips and a few experienced trips. I will be doing it till I get my masters in architecture, so for a few years.


Odin, we do both of those trips.

Are you taking students out or staff? Most of the trips I do for my work are beginner/intermediate trips as well. There's too much liability working in a college setting to do anything too risky with students.

You are going to have a blast. WFR training is great. You'll learn a lot more than just medical skills during your training. I am thinking of going for my wilderness EMT, but the cost is the killer. I can't get my boss to front the money as it's not a standard for college programs yet.

[brice618]

I am going to be taking students mostly and I guess staff will be coming along too sometimes. I am so pumped!!!

[cinnepa]

word! Good jobs are hard to find...

whoa, you better believe it......such a big statement with so few words. i need to get out of my cubicle hell.

[backcountry1pr]

sweet man, I guide for the same sort of program here at Western State in CO, its a sweet gig, and best part is it keeps you working with clients all year round instead of just seasonally. good luck and enjoy.

[coolstine]

Are you taking students out or staff? Most of the trips I do for my work are beginner/intermediate trips as well. There's too much liability working in a college setting to do anything too risky with students.

You are going to have a blast. WFR training is great. You'll learn a lot more than just medical skills during your training. I am thinking of going for my wilderness EMT, but the cost is the killer. I can't get my boss to front the money as it's not a standard for college programs yet.

I highly reccomend getting your WEMT if you enjoy the WFR. Its a great asset to have in the backcountry and you never know where it will take you. Plus is gives you more options, i.e. you can volunteer on an ambulance with a WEMT to get even more experience. Oh yea, and Rescue Specialists in Leavenworth, WA are the shit. The best training in one of the coolest places in the NW.

[GBB]

sounds sweet man, congrats!

just out of curiousity how did you land that job? i'm going to college next year and i can't think of a better job to have.

[backcountry1pr]

sounds sweet man, congrats!

just out of curiousity how did you land that job? i'm going to college next year and i can't think of a better job to have.

You need to be well versed in the activities that your chosen school leads trips in. This is why most first year student start out as "guides in training", so that your higer ups can observe how you do working as a 2nd on trips. You will also need your Wilderness First Responder certification to lead trips, and potentially to even work as an intern on them. The best way to initially get involved is to do one of the WBO trips (wilderness bound orientation) is why my school calls them that happen as a second option for begining school orientation. This way, you can meet some of the guides and begin to get to know the systems etc. If you are lacking in experince, go on a bunch of the trips the school offers and do the shit intensivly on your own, that way you prove your interest and involvement. If you have prior guideing experince, hand in a resume. Good luck, and remember, it noramlly takes some time to be leading trips. You have to prove you can handle all sorts of differnt situations and problems etc.

[brice618]

I second everything he just said ^^^ Another big deal is the willingness to learn. Admit that you don't know everything, but really want to learn it if you don't know it.