The Unseasoned Weekly: May 6
It gets better - spring edition, consider your favorite recent non-outdoor adventure, apply for a role as a Recruiter with the City of Boise.
- Words from the other side of outdoor seasonal work-
The Check In
Moving away from outdoor seasonal work can be like moving on from an ex romantic relationship. At first, the pain is acute. It aches. You wonder who you are without the job, without the person. You feel lonely. Those first few months, you try not to call. You try not to miss the big water waves, the bright yellow arrowleaf flowers blanketing the canyon, the adrenaline of packing your whole life into your car. You’re not sure if you made the right decision. You grit your teeth and keep stepping forward.
But then, five years later, spring arrives and you forget to miss your outdoor seasonal job. There are other things on your mind when you wake up in the morning. You look ahead to your summer calendar, with it’s big juicy weekends, and feel nothing but excitement. You build raised beds with your husband. The dog climbs onto the lounge chair to lean against your leg while you read. The balsamroot, beginning to bloom along the roadside, gives you brief pause for a happy memory. Gratitude has replaced grief and you know you made the right call after all.
For anyone in their first summer of 9-5 work: It gets easier after this, but please be so gentle with yourself this next month.
For anyone heading back to outdoor seasonal work but already feeling tired and burned out: There will still be so much good out there and you can do this!
Struggling? Finally hitting your stride? Send me a DM or a reply, my inbox is always open!
XX - Emerald
- Questions for Your Next Journal or Hike -
On Reflection
A spring reminder! The $100/year Founding Member subscription unlocks full access to the newsletter plus an annual 1:1 career support session with me (with booking availability as soon as early next week).
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- Dispatches from the Unseasoned Community -
Heard on Social
This week we talked about the horrors of seasonal/non-profit work lodging… don’t miss this comment section!
@caitlinena said: Love when I worked for a conservation non profit and we got an Airbnb for a conference and I had to SHARE A BED WITH MY BOSS
FWIW - this is not standard, appropriate, or even particularly good legal risk management on their part…Join us this week to learn with our community of over 5,000!
Heads up! Austin Souto at Clemson University is conducting a research study as part of their dissertation on the long-term impact of working for seasonal outdoor programs during emerging adulthood. The goal is to understand how early seasonal work in outdoor leadership shapes personal and professional life trajectories. You may qualify to be interviewed if you meet the following criteria:
Worked in a seasonal summer outdoor program between the ages of 18 and 25
Held a leadership role (led/oversaw participants, staff, or activities) during this employment
It has been at least eight years since their first seasonal outdoor program job.
Participation involves a one-time interview (45–60 minutes).
Follow this link to the Survey:
- Tips for your next application -
How I’d Apply
Does your mid-level or senior outdoor seasonal role include job duties such as hiring new employees, workforce planning, and adjusting employee performance? Don’t forget, this is a valuable human resources skillset! The City of Boise is hiring for a Recruiter to join their Human Resources Team.
Unique Value Proposition (UVP):
Outdoor professional backgrounds often create the building blocks of exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Highlight ways in which your outdoor seasonal work prepared you to “speak to members of the public and businesses,” alongside highlighting your technical HR skillset.
Sample Resume Bullet Point (Zipline Park Manager):
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