The Unseasoned Weekly: January 7

Define your word of the year, share your best career advice, apply for an entry-level business risk consultant position.

- Words from the other side of outdoor seasonal work-

The Check In

On new years day, I sat at a big wooden dining table with two dozen torn up magazines and half a dozen friends and thought about my word for 2025.

A benefit of once being an outdoor seasonal: I now recognize how much of life (careers, relationships, and even self-growth) still has seasons. Some years are about expansion and courage, some about refinement and systems, some about just hanging on.

This year, I committed to the word FULL. To me, the dark, vibey, solstice-ness of the New Year has always lent itself better to an intention word than to goals (I do those in March and again in August). I let my word be amorphous for a few months as I ski quiet powder under evergreens, sit by the wood stove, and tromp through street slush en route to the grocery store. I let the word take shape as the sun returns. By spring, it always makes more sense.

What’s your word for 2025? Here’s a list of options or see the reflection prompt below to kickstart your brain, if helpful. Drop whatever comes to mind in the comments below, or reply with an email. I’d love to hear.

On a housekeeping note!

• The How I’d Apply section is now available to free subscribers once per month (the last Tuesday) and available all month long to paid subscribers.

• Founding subscribers gain access to the weekly “How I’d Apply” section and an annual one-hour 1:1 call with me to focus on whatever is most helpful to you.

  • Whether it’s brainstorming post-outdoor-seasonal career options, refining your resume, or preparing for an interview, I’m here to support you!

  • This option, valued at $175, is available for just $100 or $9/month (when paid annually).

  • I hope you’ll choose to be a founding member because I truly enjoy connecting with you one-on-one and getting to know you better!

Any questions or feedback? Reply to this email, I’d love to hear from you.

Xx - Emerald

A subscriber question:

I thought the “3 Recommendations” section would help give me ideas and provide weekly, tangible value to my subscribers… but it feels not-quite-right.

I’m considering absorbing recommendations into the above “Check In” section so I can instead simply write straight to you, sweet reader! But I’d love your feedback first.

- Questions for Your Next Journal or Hike -

On Reflection

- Dispatches from the Unseasoned Community -

Heard on Social

To kick off 2025, we’re doing a fun take advice / leave advice moment. Over 30? Leave a career tip! Under 30? Ask a question! Exactly 30? Well, you decide where you’re at ;)

emeraldlafortune

A post shared by @emeraldlafortune

@kinshop goods replied:

Tip: try to diversify your income. Instead of putting all of your eggs in one basket and aiming for one high-paying w-2 job, consider other sources of income, alongside a w-2: rental income, your own small business, a commercial river trip or two each summer, a shift at the local brewery on the weekend, etc. Creating a diversified income before you transition away from full-time seasonal work, or any work really, can help ease some of that financial pressure

Join us this week to learn from our community of over 3,000!

Note from Emerald: In 2025, the “How I’d Apply” section will be available weekly to paid subscribers and once-per-month (paywall free!) to all subscribers.

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!

- Tips for your next application -

How I’d Apply

If most of your career experience is in outdoor recreation, industries that support it—such as legal, insurance, and booking software—can offer excellent opportunities for steadier work while still valuing your hands-on experience.

Granite Insurance is hiring an entry level Business Risk Consultant (Granite Falls, North Carolina).

Unique Value Proposition (UVP): To apply for this role as an outdoor seasonal professional, highlight your expertise in building strong client relationships and maintaining high-quality standards.