networking. Cultivate a positive relationship with them. Let them know you have career aspirations in the field and explicitly ask for their guidance and assistance. Get letters of reference while you still are studying with them or working for them, or very soon afterwards.

And don't forget your peers. Your classmates and your co-workers will be growing their careers, just like you are. Keep in touch and share career opportunities with them. These connections can be very valuable as you seek to advance in the field.

The two main professional organizations for the adventure education field are the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) and the Association for Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE). Both offer national conferences in the fall and AEE offers regional conferences in the spring. These are relatively low cost opportunities to meet leaders in the field, learn the latest findings and techniques at workshops and presentations, to talk to employers, and to interview for jobs.

The Down Sides

Don't let anyone fool you; every job or career has it down sides, the adventure education field is not nirvana For someone who seeks a career in the adventure education field, at least initially, be prepared to work long, intense, physical days (or weeks!), to live in a tent, cabin, or the back of your rig, and to have trouble explaining what you do for a living. Your initial jobs may well be part time or seasonal. Even in the long run, you will most likely never drive a Lexus or join the country club-it isn't a career for those who wish to get rich!

Conclusion

There is an alternative to the corporate cubicle. The adventure education or programming field offers the chance to be outdoors, to travel, to be doing what you love to do, to make a real difference in peoples' lives. You won't get rich, and you might have to live in out of the way places, but the life-long satisfaction will most likely make it all worthwhile. To score that perfect job in the outdoors you'll need to network and especially to have or get solid experience. But once you do, you can live the advice Confucius gave a long time ago, "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life."

Resources

Career and Educational Resources (including information about WFR):

· OutdoorEd.com - http://www.outdooreducation.com

· Outdoor Network - http://www.outdoornetwork.com

Job and Internship Listings:

· American Camping Association - http://www.acacamps.org/jobcenter.htm

· OutdoorEd.Com - http://www.outdoored.com/jobs/

· AEE Jobs Clearninghouse - http://64.227.153.158/aeesite/jchview.php

· Outdoor Job Network - http://www.outdoornetwork.com/jobnetdb

Professional Organizations:

· Association for Challenge Course Technology - http://www.acctinfo.org

· Association for Experiential Education - http://www.aee.org

· Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education - http://www.aore.org

Dr. Todd Miner is Executive Director of Cornell Outdoor Education ( http://www.coe.cornell.edu ). He has been professionally involved in adventure education for nearly a quarter century. Miner has written extensively, and presented at numerous international conferences, on adventure programming, experiential education, and career issues. He previously served as assistant dean, assistant professor, and administrator at Keuka College and the University of Alaska Anchorage.