What's a good fit?

May 22, 2010 9:17 AM

Looking to leave my job for a new line of work - what would be a good fit given these conditions: combination of indoor/outdoor work, engaging, varied, $40k/year, ...

I've been doing agricultural work for about 2 years now out of college. In some ways I enjoy it - educated coworkers, keeps me outside and active, work varies with the seasons.

But it's becoming too repetitive from week to week, I find I'm not challenged, I'm exhausted during the week and have no energy for anything else in the evenings, and the pay and hours suck.

What other line of work might be a good fit for someone who enjoys working outside, but also doesn't mind sitting at a desk occasionally. I enjoy working with my hands, but want to avoid any work which gets too repetitive day-to-day. I'd also like to find a job where I can be making $40k/year within a couple years.

Things I've considered - carpentry/woodworking, horticulturist for public gardens/estate gardens, some type of government work - NRCS maybe.

Any other thoughts - my training is in horticulture but I'm not set on staying in the green industry.

Thanks!

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (10 answers total)

Not necessarily endorsing it, but putting it out there: your job requirements seem to be consistent with those of an Army officer. I'm guessing they'd be eager to hire a 20-something US citizen with a college degree, a clean record, and some modicum of fitness.
posted by Dimpy at 9:43 AM on May 22, 2010 [1 favorite]

NRCS might be a good fit, but it'll be more than occasional desk time. You might consider doing seasonal work at a variety of positions for a couple years if you can to try som stuff out. My city hires a ton of seasonal gardeners. One seasonal job that is not boring and is fairly easy to get well paid if you're young and fit is wildland firefighting.
posted by fshgrl at 9:49 AM on May 22, 2010

You might consider working in environmental engineering. Many firms have horticulturist/plant biologists on hand to do site surveys for proposed projects. Most likely, soil sampling and checking for endangered plants would be the general tasks as well as lab work back in the office.
posted by occidental at 9:50 AM on May 22, 2010

I once worked in the horticulture department at the National Zoo. Best job of my life. The hours were standardized although the pay wasn't great...but I got to work outside and was always around animals. I'd imagine a horticulture position at a Zoo could get quite comfortable if you worked your way up.
posted by jnnla at 9:56 AM on May 22, 2010

My brother is forester at the US Forest Service and his working conditions are pretty much exactly what you're describing (with the mix of field work and desk work being largely seasonal - mostly working out in the field in the warmer months and more desk-bound when there's snow on the ground).

I think they usually want a degree specifically in forestry or resource management for GS-7 positions that pay in the $40k a year range, but I bet you could find a GS-5 job that you'd be qualified for.
posted by strangely stunted trees at 10:00 AM on May 22, 2010

I came here to say environmental engineer (jinx, occidental!). A friend of a friend is one, and he seems to spend a lot of time "out in the field" coordinating soil samples and all kinds of other things, but also spends time in an office. He also travels a fair amount, I think, and afaik has a bachelor's degree from a liberal arts college in something like environmental science.
posted by MadamM at 11:17 AM on May 22, 2010

National Forest Service. Wintertimes you're at a desk, the rest of the time you can be in the field. I have a friend who does it and she loves it.
posted by KathrynT at 12:03 PM on May 22, 2010

Maybe land surveyor?
posted by zombiedance at 12:29 PM on May 22, 2010

Contractor/construction?
posted by pintapicasso at 4:38 PM on May 22, 2010

If you get certified as an arborist you will have a lot of options. Arborist on staff at a public or private park/forest/arboretum; freelance or small company tree work; tree research, etc.
posted by cushie at 8:56 PM on May 22, 2010