Engaging Diversity in Careers in
the Outdoor Industry
Careers In the Outdoor Industry
The Action
Create a tool kit with unified messaging that can be used when communicating to youth, parents, businesses, schools or career counselors. This will help raise awareness about how youth can enter into the field, develop skills needed to gain employment, and inform parents on benefits of these types of career choices.
- Park Ranger
- Wildlife Biologist
- Hydrologist
- Urban Planner
- Educator- in the field, outreach and curriculum writing
- Office Admin
- Communications and Marketing Specialist
- Executive Director of a non-profit
- Program Manager of a non-profit
- Youth Development Specialist
- Entrepreneur
- Outdoor Adventure Guide
- Wildland Firefighter
- Accountant
- Customer Service Represented
- Human Resource
- Historian
- Landscape Architect
- Camp Counselors
- Advocate
- Conservation Lands Manager
- Conservation Lands Relator
- Surveyor
- Retail Owner or Manager
- Lawyer
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Marine Scientist
- Forester
- Photographer
- Water Quality Specialist
- Park Police Officer
- Artist
- Project Manager
- Carpenter
- Botanist
- IT Support
- Teacher
- Game Warden
- Sustainable Energy
- Veterinarian
- Journalist
- Engineer
Speakers
At the 3 day Conference one of the sessions was
Engaging Diversity for Careers in the Outdoor Industry
Children & Nature Conference - Inspiration and Action for Healthy Communities: April 7-9, 2015
The session was hosted and sponsored by Audubon Texas, Texas Children in Nature and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Take a Pledge to Make a Difference
Summary of Notes from
C&NN Conference
- Parents and teachers discourage youth from careers in outdoor because often seen as blue collar.
- Some say it is manual labor.
- Existence of institutional racism.
- Remove the barriers of fear. Use Children in Nature movement to break down those barriers.
- Go to the under served communities to engage community leaders and parents that can influence career choices.
- Diversity does not always mean race.
- Need to understand the barriers families face when helping their children make career choices.
- Connect with the faith communities.
- Work with HR departments to change some of the entry level qualifications that might be a barrier.
Degree Plans to get on the Right Track
The Need
1. Raise awareness with youth about what types of careers are available in the outdoor industry and what skills or degree plans they might need to gain access to those jobs.
a. Talk to a school group
b. Talk to a youth group like Scouts, Camp Fire, Boys and Girls Club, or church community
2. Communicate with career counselors, teachers and parents about what types of careers are available in the outdoor industry and what are the benefits of those careers.
3. Work with employers to create internship positions that help increase a young person’s skills. (Paid attracks more diversity)
4. Mentor a youth to help them build their skills, drive and knowledge to prepare them for applying for an entry level position.
5. Work with your HR department to review terminology that might attract candidates from a more diverse range.
Texas Children in Nature
Agriculture
Anthropology
Aquatic Biology
Biology
Wildlife Biology
Chemistry
Engineering
Wildlife Ecology
Computer Information Systems
Sociology
Geography
Geographic Information Science
Geographic Urban Planning
Geography Water Resources
Health and Fitness
Nutrition and Foods
Forestry
Communications
Geology
Journalism
Radio, Television, Film
Marketing
Microbiology
Physical Geography
Political Science
Public Relations
Social Work
Technology Management
Education
Law
Law Enforcement
Population & Conservation Biology
Recreation & Leisure Services
Business Management
Business Administration
Accounting
The conservation and nature community in Texas is doing a better job with engaging youth from diverse backgrounds in nature based programs, however there is a disconnect when it comes to engaging that same diversity in careers in the Outdoor Industry. This issue must be addressed so that the industry better reflects the demographics of the state.
This issue is important to TCiN and is part of our strategic plan.
- Under Community: Goal 3: Promote the cultural and economic gateways and benefits through nature-based opportunities.
- Objective 3: Encourage nature-based career path opportunities.
- Action 1: Encourage public and private organizations to sponsor conservation and outdoor recreation job-readiness training and internships, targeting at-risk and undeserved youth.
- Action 2: Raise student awareness of natural-resource and outdoor recreation vocational opportunities and college degree programs.
- www.texaschildreninnature.org
Photo: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Communication with Youth
Tips for Creating Diversity in the Application Process
The Benefits of Nature
Communicating with Parents and Career Counselors
The business community is demanding that they have a work force that are: good problem solvers, creative, work cooperatively in teams, and are healthy. Studies show that children who spend time in nature are:
- Healthier both mentally and physically
- Are good problem solvers
- Are more creative
- Are more cooperative with others
- Feel more capable and self-confident
- Have higher self-esteem
Tips on How to Kick Start a Career in the Outdoor Industry
Useful Links
Studies show that children and families who spend time in nature are healthier, happier and smarter. Careers that support educating youth about and creating access to nature are important in achieving healthy, thriving communities. This work is important not just to the conservation community, but also the health, education and business communities as well.
Instead of posting a requirement that states “Effective communication skills required,” use an alternate phrase that includes diversity, “Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.”
In addition, include language that further supports inclusiveness, “Open to new ideas and actively supports diversity of thought.” It is important to review all job postings to ensure unintended obstacles are not included. Furthermore, because the agency derives job postings from a formal Functional Job Description (FJD) it is also important to examine all FJDs and
to clearly, articulate appropriate diversity preferences, such as bilingual skills.
* from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Messaging
- Careers in the Outdoor Industry are generally emotionally rewarding and financially stable.
- The Outdoor Industry does not just mean being a Park Ranger.
- The Outdoor Industry needs a larger diversity of thought, age, race and gender to meet the changing demographics of the country.
- A career in the Outdoor Industry can mean that you advocate for something you care about such as wildlife, water, food, land, children or protecting a place you love.
- Having access to nature is vital to every community to raise happy, healthy and thriving families. Some see this as a social justice issue.
- Not every job in the Outdoor Industry requires a degree in science.
- Entry level jobs might only require a high school degree, but careers up the ladder will require higher education.
- Some jobs might require vocational or trade license such as: plumbing, electrical, automotive technology, & administrative services.
- Volunteer in high school or college with an organization that can help develop skills that will translate into careers skills. For example, volunteer with a local church as a summer camp counselor in training.
- Volunteer to help with planting trees, doing a community service project or advocating for a community conservation cause.
- Become an intern either paid or unpaid.
- Become a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) or work with Conservation Corp.
- Work as a lifeguard or camp counselor during the summer.
- Don’t just spend time outdoors, but take the time to learn about the habitats, water, history, and other resources.
- Become a Natural Leader with Children & Nature Network
- Careers in the Outdoor Industry can be emotionally rewarding and financially stable.
- Not all careers in the Outdoor Industry are manual labor nor do they require working in harsh physical conditions.
- Careers that do require manual labor or working in the elements can be equally as rewarding when connected to a person's passion.
- There are many careers that lend a myriad of support to creating access to nature for families, children and adults.
- There are also many career choices that do not require rigorous degrees in science.
www.texaschildreninnature.org
www.audubon.org/careers
www.diversegreen.org/
www.outdoorindustryjobs.com/
www.tpwd.texas.gov/
www.childrenandnature.org/initiatives/natural-leaders/
www.americanyouthworks.org/job-programs/texasconservationcorps