The Unseasoned Weekly: Dec 10
What if we all had managers like Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, let's talk why you need a running CV, apply for an education coordinator role at a community college.
The Check In
How are you spending the liminal time between Thanksgiving and Christmas? Here in rural Idaho, I’ve been sending gifts to the family we won’t see, prepping work for the new year, journaling (prompt ideas incoming!), watching football (…see more on that below), and celebrating a good friend’s bachelorette and upcoming wedding with a ski cabin overnight.
I love the energy of the new year and also love the preceding quiet reflection of the solstice. Wishing you warmth and rest, - Emerald
- An endorsement triplet from the other side of outdoor seasonal work-
3 Recs For When
… you want to join me as a Detroit Lions fan. Growing up with an outdoors-focused family *and* in Idaho meant I 1) didn’t have a pro sports team nearby and 2) the adults I was raised by weren’t big pro sports fans either. The Superbowl? Just a chance to go skiing with no crowds, or maybe watch a halftime show.
In my post-outdoor-seasonal life, however, a Fantasy League has made me an adult-onset football enthusiast. Call me a millennial! I love a chance to build parasocial relationships with celebrity strangers! Despite the fun of fantasy, I also wanted a team to follow. The Seahawks and Broncos, Northwest and Inland Mountain West favorites respectively, always fell flat. But then a few seasons ago, I started tracking the Lions.
I’m fired up on this current iteration of the Lions because I think what they have built is what we should *all* be looking for when we search for a workplace. I also think there are lessons to be learned for anyone actively managing people in a work setting, outdoor seasonal, or not. So without further adieu, I dig the Detroit Lions because they are…
A Women-Owned Franchise: The Lions aren’t the only woman-owned franchise in the league, but I am especially impressed by Sheila Ford Hamp’s approach (yes, that Ford family). Hamp took over a struggling team in 2020 and committed to a culture of change, emphasizing a collaborative, resilient, and forward-thinking approach. She has a Master of Arts in teaching and early childhood education… and I think it shows in the way she leads.
A Team Led By Dan Campbell: Hamp hired former Lions player Dan Campbell in 2021, highlighting his unorthodox approach and passion for the game. I love watching Dan Campbell give a post-game locker room debrief. Look at the way these guys build their team up and celebrate each other (here). It’s a good reminder that around 50% of NFL players are 25 or under. These are barely-not-boys, learning how to be adult men in the world. If Dan Campbell can show compassion and love to his team, your river boss, trail crew lead, or 9-5 supervisor should be able to do the same.
A Bunch of Players Who Are F*$&ing Fun To Watch: Most people who have worked outdoor seasonal roles of any kind know what it feels like to work from your body, not just your brain. And while I’ll never be an NFL player (lololol) there’s something in me that can empathize with the joy and creativity this team uses. The Lions are that river guide that says, “I think I see a left line through this rapid.” They are the sawyer that has an inexplicable sense of which way a tree will fall. They are the outdoor educators who take calculated, thoughtful risks that lead to unforgettable student experiences.
From the NWSL to the NFL to the Olympics, as a former outdoor seasonal, I really adore watching people play sports at an elite level. Who is your team and why? Reply and let me know!
- Questions for Your Next Journal or Hike -
On Reflection
- Dispatches from the Unseasoned Community -
Heard on Social
Last week on social, we discussed why you should keep a running CV of all your past experiences (hint: to build references/resumes but ALSO - background checks at future jobs!)
@gracelemen had a great hack for tracking down those pesky past addresses too…
*checks Amazon delivery address list for previous addresses the past ten years*
Join us this week to learn from our community of over 3,000!
- Tips for your next application -
How I’d Apply
Lewis and Clark State College is hiring an Education Coordinator (Location: Lewiston, ID)
Unique Value Proposition (UVP): To apply for this role as an outdoor seasonal, I recommend highlighting your leadership experience during company-wide preseason training. For instance, did you plan and coordinate a training trip for new guides? What distance learning methods (e.g., Zoom, recorded webinars) did you use to connect with guides during the preseason? Researching best practices in adult learning and aligning your curriculum development approach with these principles would strengthen your application. You’ll also want to highlight your *excellent* interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Sample Resume Bullet Point:
Curriculum Development: Integrated adult learning theories and industry-specific practices into curriculum development for new guide employees, resulting in improved learner engagement and skill acquisition in risk management and customer service.
Flags / Interview Questions to Ask:
"How do you measure success for the training programs, from both the learners' and businesses' perspectives?" A green flag response would either provide a clear outline for measuring success or acknowledge that developing these standards is part of the role’s responsibilities.
Not fully qualified? I pay attention to roles where the target hire date has passed but the position is still posted. This could indicate challenges in finding the right candidate, which may open opportunities for on-the-job training and development for a committed applicant.
Hiring Manager: No hiring manager is listed - but you might consider a brief networking outreach to Mandy Damman, Training Program Coordinator. Need a script? Find one in the Job Application Checklist here.
Continuing Ed: What is “Canvas” anyway? I haven’t taken this particular course, but I have enjoyed Udemy Project Management courses. This training might get you up to speed!
Open Jobs Grab Bag
Get a Foot In: Topo Collective (Remote) - Impact Manager
Early Career: National Forest Foundation (Remote, NE Oregon/SE Washington) - Blue Mountains Program Coordinator
Go Pro: Pew (Washington D.C.) - Senior Associate, Disaster Resilience Policy, U.S. Conservation
Emerald’s Free Resource Library
Resume templates, career transition therapist and coach recommendations, and more. What would you like to see in the library? Reply and let me know!
Omg Em I got into Fantasy Football this year too! Proud to be a Seahawks fan but the Lions are so cool – and Jared Goff got nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year!