The Unseasoned Weekly: April 15

Awe vs. presence, let's talk pre-season outdoor professional burnout, apply for a role as a Safety Training Program Manager.

- Words from the other side of outdoor seasonal work-

The Check In

In the height of my outdoor career, I thought I was good at being present and feeling gratitude. I emulated all the best outdoor writers. I paused and appreciated vast canyon walls! Rushing rivers! The imprint of an owl’s wings in a perfect slope of powdery white snow! I thought I was zen as fuck!

I was also anxious, uncomfortable with silence indoors, always on the run, and fooling only myself. The only time I could hear my inner voice was when I was smacked upside the head by a jaw-dropping landscape, a scary whitewater rapid, or both.

What I’ve learned along the way is that there’s a difference between presence and awe. I spent a lot of my outdoor career in awe. But I didn’t flex or practice my presence muscle until my life got a whole lot more boring.

Awe is important too, but a life chasing only awe risks missing out on so much.

Now, the dog asks to play, and I say yes. Presence.

I eat a perfect simple tupperware dinner on a sandbar I’ve sat on dozens of times before. Gratitude.

I sip from my morning coffee and watch, from my back window, the moon sink behind the far ridge. Presence.

I sit down at the brewery for a conversation with a friend. Gratitude.

In this political moment, where we fight for so many of the places and people that matter most, we can’t always wait to recharge ourselves by way of awe. My life got immeasurably more peaceful and content when I taught myself a practice of small gratitudes, regardless of where I was.

xx - Emerald

- Questions for Your Next Journal or Hike -

On Reflection

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- Dispatches from the Unseasoned Community -

Heard on Social

This week, we talked about the outdoor seasonal April identity crisis and whew, did it strike a nerve! If you’re feeling confused or burned out about your upcoming work season, take a look at the comment section and remember: You’re not alone!

emeraldlafortune

A post shared by @emeraldlafortune

@emptyfurniture said: We NEED to be talking about this more. Everyone who loves me is so confused by this- we bear and endure this all to show our highlights. But we are still humans!

Join us this week to learn with our community of over 4,000!

- Connecting you with outstanding candidates -

Meet an Unseasoned Career Support Services Client

Abigail Hudson is a rural-based river guide and outdoor communications professional - she'll be a top asset to any conservation nonprofit lucky enough to bring her on board!

- Tips for your next application -

How I’d Apply

The City of Missoula is hiring a Safety-Training Program Manager. Move quickly, this role closes on April 17!

Also - don't miss the Open Jobs Grab Bag below, all about city-level recreation roles this week. While these types of positions are usually on-site, local and state government jobs can be a great fit for someone looking to transition into a 9–5 role (with all its stability) while still staying connected to recreation and community.

Unique Value Proposition (UVP):

I plucked this position specifically for someone who has worked in supervisory, outdoor federal roles, such as wildland fire or trails. You may just have the perfect overlap of training development, public interface, hazard detection, and proven experience operating maintenance equipment vehicles and equipment to fit this role!

Sample Resume Bullet Point (Wildland Fire Supervisor):