Overview
AORE‘s series So You Want to Be A is a 30 minute virtual [and casual!] conversation designed to highlight different career paths in the industry, removing barriers and the need to know someone and allowing jobs to be accessible by all.
Upcoming Events
Events will be announced as soon as possible!
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What job(s) are you interested in learning about? Fill out this form to share more information about the job(s) and/or companies you want to learn about and we will add them to our events and library!
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Career Library
So You Want to Be A... Wilderness Medicine Instructor
Paul Nicolazzo
Tiana White
Wilderness Medicine Training Center International (WMTC)
So you want to be a Wilderness Medicine Instructor (WMTC)? Join Jeannette Stawski, Executive Director of AORE and Paul Nicolazzo, Director of WMTC and Tiana White, Instructor with WMTC as they discuss how you can become a Wilderness Medicine Instructor with WMT, providing valuable insight from how long the process takes to pay and benefits.
Considering making a career move? Want to get your application in to the right people? Here are some next steps for you to take:
- Candidates must be a WMTC course graduate to apply; we want you to understand what our courses are like and how we teach before applying. Please read the information on this page and complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) application form. We also ask applicants to submit two 5-10 minute videos of themselves teaching along with some other materials (found on the application page) by June 15, 2022 for consideration in the November 2022 ITC. After receiving your application, someone from WMTC will be in touch (likely via email) to schedule an interview/conversation. The goals of that conversation are to get to know you a little better, explore how your goals align with WMTC‘s and vice versa, and make a plan for next steps.
If accepted to the ITC, you will receive more information and access to materials to help you prepare for the course. Training is an ongoing process that extends beyond the ITC ends and includes apprenticing under the mentorship of other instructors until you‘re ready to teach courses on our own. Please reach out to us if you‘d like to discuss what this might look like for you and to ask any questions you have! - Review the instructor application
- Reach out to Paul Nicolazzo, Director of WMTC if you have questions!
- Reach out to Tiana White, WMTC Instructor Trainer if you have questions!
Wilderness Medical Associates International (WMA)
So you want to be a Wilderness Medicine Instructor? Join Candace Brendler, Graduate Assistant at James Madison University and Abby Rowe, President of Wilderness Medical Associates International, as they discuss how you can become a Wilderness Medicine Instructor with valuable insight from how long the process takes to pay and benefits.
Considering making a career move? Want to get your application in to the right people? Here are some next steps for you to take:
- See the entire process to be come an instructor with WMA
- Check out WMA's Diversity Statement
- Visit WMA Website
- Contact Abby Rowe, President of WMA, with any questions!
Josh McNary
NOLS Wilderness Medcine
So you want to be a wilderness medicine instructor? Join Candace Brendler, Graduate Assistant at James Madison University and Josh McNary, Staffing Director for the NOLS Wilderness Medicine as they discuss how you can become a Wilderness Medicine Instructor, with valuable insight from how long the process takes to pay and benefits.
Considering making a career move? Want to get your application in to the right people? Here are some next steps for you to take:
- Ready to apply? Find full details, application materials, and contact info here.
- Getting your start in the industry can be tough. NOLS would like to help. We are available to provide resume reviews, career coaching, and introductions to select outdoor education employers. Please don‘t hesitate to contact us at wilderness_medicine_itc@nols.edu
- Contact Josh McNary, Staffing Director, NOLS Wilderness Medince with any questions!
So You Want to Be A... ACA Certified Instructor Trainer
American Canoe Association (ACA) Certified Instructor Trainer
So you want to be a ACA Certified Instructor Trainer? Join Candace Brendler, Graduate Assistant at James Madison University and Kelsey Bracewll, SEI Department Director at the American Canoe Association as they discuss how you can become a certified instructor trainer, with valuable insight from how long the process takes to pay and benefits.
Considering making a career move? Want to get your application in to the right people? Here are some next steps for you to take:
- Check out the American Canoe Association website
- Learn the criteria and process for becoming an instructor trainer
- Find out more about the ACA Instructor Scholarship Program
- Read ACA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
- Contact Kelsey at ACA for more questions!
So You Want to Be A... Climbing Instructor (PCIA)
Jake Brunnquell
Professional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA) Certified Climbing Instructor.
So you want to be a climbing instructor? Join Candace Brendler, Graduate Assistant at James Madison University and Jake Brunnquell, Programs Director for the Professional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA) as they discuss how you can become a climbing instructor, with valuable insight from how long the process takes to pay and benefits.
Considering making a career move? Want to get your application in to the right people? Here are some next steps for you to take:
- Check out the Professional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA) Website
- See the PCIA Course Schedule
- Find out more about the PCIA's Program offerings
- Learn more about the AORE Conference and attending PCIA's Climbing Wall Instructor + Indoor Provider Training October 29 - November 1.
- Contact Jake Brunnquell, Programs Director at PCIA and Assistant Director of Campus Recreation at UWRF.
So You Want to Be A... REI Guide
REI Guide | REI Experiences
So you want to be a REI Guide? Join Candace Brendler, Graduate Assistant at James Madison University and Jeremy Oyen, Senior Manager for REI Field Experiences as they discuss how you can become a REI Guide, with valuable insight from how long the process takes to pay and benefits.
Considering making a career move? Want to get your application in to the right people? Here are some next steps for you to take:
- Visit REI Experiences Job Site
- Contact the Experiences team
- Check out where REI Experiences operates:
So You Want to Be... Field or Admin Staff at Outward Bound
Outward Bound — Field or Admin Staff
So you want to work for Outward Bound? Join Candace Brendler, Graduate Assistant at James Madison University and Anne Morrison, Senior Director of Programs and Safety for the Northwest Outward Bound School as they discuss how you can work for Outward Bound in the field or on the admin side, with valuable insight from how long the process takes to pay and benefits.
Considering making a career move? Want to get your application in to the right people? Here are some next steps for you to take:
- Check out the Northwest Outward Bound Careers & Employment page here!
- Interested in something in particular? Here are some quick links:
- Ready to go International? Learn more about Outward Bound International here.
More than 700 outdoor recreation professionals, enthusiasts and students across the nation (and abroad!) are active members of the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education.
We are proud to bring together current and aspiring outdoor programmers from
- colleges, universities and junior colleges,
- military,
- for-profit organizations and
- non-profit organizations
Members receive benefits such as AORE e-news, message boards, job postings, networking opportunities and discounted rates for AORE workshops and conferences.
Please feel free to download this AORE Membership Justification Letter as a resource to present the value of an AORE membership to your supervisor.