The Unseasoned Weekly: February 4

You're worthy even if you don't work a "cool job", let's talk turning into our parents, apply for a position facilitating events for your favorite National Park.

- Words from the other side of outdoor seasonal work-

The Check In

The last few weeks have created a significant amount of uncertainty for many outdoor seasonals and 9-5ers in the workplace, especially within government. It’s frustrating at best, traumatizing at worst. First things first: I’m so so sorry.

Beyond the big hug I’m sending, if there was one thing I could say to each of you, it would be this: It’s okay to work at the grocery store. Truly. It is okay to work at the grocery store!

Is it unfair and heartbreaking you might need to? Yes. Will unemployment / underemployment have serious financial and health insurance consequences for people and their families? No question. Should we all push against the political systems making this so? 100%.

And also. Your job is not your worth, nor your identity. We care about you and see your value regardless of what you do for work. You can change the world inside formal employment and you can change the world outside of it. Your job does not need to be “cool” to do cool, meaningful things. This is a central tenant of my work here at Unseasoned but one that I don’t always spell out explicitly. You can live a fulfilling “year-round” life without holding a glamorous six-figure job or a scrappy outdoorsy job.

A story: A few years ago, against the backdrop of the pandemic and a confidence-shaking tenure with a toxic boss, I learned this lesson the hard way. I, a classic eldest-daughter-straight-A-student-career-driven employee, took a moment and did what might’ve looked like giving up. After I lost my remote role in an organizational restructure, I stopped applying to salaried positions. I instead hired on with our local community market. It was a job involving ringing up groceries, stocking shelves, and bagging salad greens.

At first I was sheepish. Is this where a college degree and ten years of networking and hard work had landed me? But then I settled in and it’s not hyperbole to say the job healed me. The owners were consistent, fair, and flexible. My coworkers and I shared music and stories. In a face mask that chafed my cheek bones, I spent warm, face-to-face time with my community. I daydreamed about what was next while I sorted incoming items in the walk-in-freezer. Each day I walked home having contributed to something tangible.

And when the next salaried opportunity came knocking, I was rested, my nervous-system was regulated, and I was ready.

Us over intellectualizers (if I might assume to know you too) have a tendency to understand these things as true for others but not for ourselves. Well sure, it’s fine for someone else to work at the coffee shop but… not me. But yes, indeed, you too.

What comes next for you? My replies and DMs are always open and no-cost resume and CV templates are here in the Free Resource Library.

Rooting for you,

-Emerald

- Questions for Your Next Journal or Hike -

On Reflection

- Dispatches from the Unseasoned Community -

Heard on Social

This week on Instagram, we’re talking about the secret joy of turning into your parents - IYKYK.

emeraldlafortune

A post shared by @emeraldlafortune

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

PS: The monthly challenge starting February 6 is all about translating your outdoor seasonal clothing into a both functional and aesthetic wardrobe for your year round life.

In four weeks we’ll go from closet full of company logo button-downs, nothing to wear :( → feeling myselllfff :) All without buying a thing.

Here’s a preview:

• Week 1: Outfit SOS. A tried and true formula for creating a polished conference, interview, or indoor-job outfit from your outdoor seasonal wardrobe.

• Week 2: Identifying Your Personal Style. Tips, tricks, and tools for identifying what you feel great in and how you want to present yourself to the world.

• Week 3: Closet Audit. A system for assessing and reimagining the wardrobe you already own.

• Week 4: Style Bootcamp. Let’s take everything we’ve learned and construct three *perfect for you* go-to outfits.

Heads up! This challenge - starting February 6 - will be sent only to paid subscribers. $5/month gives you full access, with the opportunity to cancel or pull back to a free subscription at any time.

Messages like this make my day - so proud of all of you! Shared with permission from @sarahskispow

Emerald’s Free Resource Library

Resume and CV templates, career transition therapist and coach recommendations, and more. What would you like to see in the library? Reply and let me know!

- Tips for your next application -

How I’d Apply

One of my first roles outside of outdoor seasonal work was coordinating an annual weekend conference. Event management is stressful but great for folks that thrive under pressure, are comfortable multitasking, have exceptional social skills, and know how to project manage. Sounds like every multiday river guide I know! This role might be an especially good fit for anyone who has worked in or around the Grand Canyon in an outdoor context.

The Grand Canyon Conservancy is hiring an Event Manager (AZ Remote).

Unique Value Proposition (UVP):