Outdoor Industry Career and Job Resources
The Outdoor Industry is comprised of companies who distribute and or manufacture outdoor apparel, gear, equipment, accessories, and footwear for climing, ski mountaineering, camping, backpacking, cycling, water and paddle sports, hunting, shooting, and fishing, rescue, fitness, adventure travel and action sport/lifestyle categories. Providing services to these companies are consultants and independent contractors and independent outside sales reps. Retail stores sell outdoor gear, equipment and apparel to the outdoor enthusiast. The retailers are range from small, locally-owned stores to national chains such as REI or L.L. Bean. Consumers, outfitters, travel and tour companies and even the military purchase the inventory.
In addition, outdoor jobs and careers are available as guides and instructors in the paddlesport and watersport industry, climbing industry, fishing industry, hunting and shooting industry, action sports and lifestyle industry, bicycling industry and winter sports industry. Initially, one can gain experience and learn about a specific outdoor industry by becoming a guide, tour leader, bicycle mechanic, instructor or as a retail sales or customer service person for an outdoor travel or tour company, outfitter or outdoor retail store. This experience will be beneficial when seeking a job with an outdoor product manufacturer or service. When hiring a potential candidate, employers are often looking for an outdoor mentality or passion and some some experience in the outdoors or with an outdoor business. There are an abundant number and variety of jobs available in the outdoor industry. Act on your passion and make it happen! Get a job in the outdoor industry.
Industry Organizations
- Access Fund
- America Outdoors
- American Fly Fishing Trade Association
- American Mountain Guides Association
- American Alpine Club
- American Canoe Association
- American Hiking Society
- American Whitewater Affiliation
- Appalachian Mountain Club
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy
- Association for Experiential Education
- Big City Mountaineers
- Black Girls RUN
- Brown Girls Climb
- Camber Outdoors
- Colorado Mountain Club
- Continental Divide Trail Coalition
- Conversation Alliance
- Grassroots Outdoors
- International Mountain Biking Association
- Latino Outdoors
- LatinX Hikers
- Leave No Trace
- National Sporting Goods Association
- Outdoor Afro
- Pacific Crest Trail Association
- Professional Outdoor Media Association
- Professional Paddlesports Association
- Snowsports Industries America (SIA)
- Sports and Fitness Industry Association
- Sporting Goods Manufactures Association
- Student Conservation Association
- The Mountaineers
- Washington Trails Association
- Winter Wildlands
Outside Sales Rep Associations
- EORA - Eastern Outdoor Reps Association
- EWSRA - Eastern Winter Sports Reps Association
- MRA - Midwest Reps Association
- NEWSR - New England Winter Sports Reps, Inc
- MWSRA- Midwest Winter Sports Resps Assn.
- Outdoor Reps Association, Inc.
- SWRA - Southeastern Winter Reps Association
- WWSRA - Western Winter Sports Reps Association
- United State Reps Association
Trade Shows
- Outdoor Retailer
- Magic
- The Big Gear Show
- IFTD Show- American Fly Fishing Assn
- Agenda Show
- Health and Fitness Business Expo
- ISPO Munich
- Outdoor Friedrichshafen
- ISPO Shanghai
- ISPO Beijing
- NASGW
- SGMA Super Show
- SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor)
Trade Magazines, Newsletters, Directories, Review Sites
- Outdoor Sportswire
- Inside Outdoor
- Outside Business Journal
- Gear Junkie
- Gear Institute
- Outdoor Gear Lab
- Trailspace
Executive Search Firms & Recruiters
- Frontier Talent
- Generator Group
- Next Level Executive
- The Forest Group
- The Whiting Group
- Management Recruiters of Madison
- Notogroup
Job and Other Related Sites
- Coolworks.com
- OutdoorEd
- Respect Outside: Respect Outside provides sexual-harassment prevention training and consulting to businesses in the outdoor/bike/action sports industry.
Education
- Queenstown Resort College: Tourism and Hospitality Mangement
- MastersInSportsAdministration.com
- Portland State Graduate Program
