Non desk jobs - maybe outside? Help me think of some!

[Island67]

Having a bit of a midlife crisis, career change! But need some ideas.

I don’t like working behind a computer screen, but do like working with people. And I love being outside.

Give me some ideas! I am educated up to post graduate level, and would do some retraining as long as it didn’t take too long (I feel a little done with essays etc, but would do all that again if it was the only way!).

My dream job is a dog walker and boarder. I unfortunately don't have the space and I don't like the rain/wind so I'd really need to move to another country 😂

Maybe consider something like a volunteer coordinator or community engagement officer. You’ll have to do a little bit of office based stuff but also get to be outside a little bit too and dealing with people a lot. The kind of role where you would be outside all the time, you might not be dealing with people and you’d be looking at probably trying to get an apprenticeship as a warden, so could be a large pay cut.

Look up heritage lottery fund jobs near you, these will likely be fixed term though if that’s a factor. Look at the big wildlife charities - RSPB, NT, Wildlife Trusts. Look at your local parks and councils. Then there’ll be other smaller charities too that you won’t have thought of but a bit of general Googling should bring up these jobs. Most community engagement jobs, in a normal year, you’d be in meetings or attending indoor events or doing outdoor events at this time of year. If you’re in a StEM field there are quite a few STEM outreach type jobs that you might find easier to slot into.

Gardner
Outdoor education - climbing, kayaking pgl type thing.
Could you start with volunteering for riding for the disabled or something similar?
Tour guide
Adventure tour guide

Horticulture?

A good friend recently retrained in horticulture, and now does various gardening jobs which she loves. You have to be ok with working in rain or shine though, and the work is very physical, so she's usually exhausted by the end of the day. But she is so much happier.

I am retraining to work with animals, hopefully as a veterinary nurse or similar. Like you I got sick of the corporate bullsh!t, endless meetings about corporate bullsh!t and being on my computer all day.

There are lots of animal related jobs that are mainly outdoors, as pp said dog walking, or working with horses etc.

Not necessarily outdoors, but maybe an events coordinator, or working at a fancy resort. Good If you like working with people.

The problem is these jobs don't tend to be very well paid.

I know someone who works as an education officer for the Forestry Commission, taking school children on trips out into woodland. Depends what you're interested in, but that sounds like a lovely job to me.

Youth worker
Residential carer
Activity coordinator at a hospital
Dog walker
Guide at a national trust site
TA
Animal sitter
Forestry commission ranger
Painter/decorator
Support worker in a mh team (or any other healthcare setting really)
Prison officer

Equine dentist. According to my horsey friends they’re very in demand. Ditto for farriers, horse physios, saddle fitters and sheath cleaners (don’t ask)!

Have a look at Natural England. They have lots of vacancies at the moment - some of which are outside based.

Postie!

I’ve always fancied being a postie! I love early starts but I’m pretty well done by about 3pm.

Are you into any sports? Could you train as a coach?

I see the civil service are advertising for field intelligence officers (border force). Would be interesting.

Blue badge guide

Plenty of construction/development related jobs, not all are professional or heavy trades, some you can go in as a technician (speak to an agency). Surveying, land referencing, traffic officer, ecological/environmental monitoring, driving/machine operator, landscaping, materials testing, quality inspection, safety, community liaison.
Events related (not great at the moment)
Gardening related.
Canal & river trust
Railways (track/stations rather than trains)

Parks liaison person
Police officer

Dog groomer,

Following. I used to be a youth and community worker. Now sat at my desk wishing I didn't have to.

Ecotherapist (therapist who also holds outdoor sessions).
Pilates instructor who also runs retreats.

Civil engineer
Environmental Scientist
Ecologist
Geologist
Archaeologist
Landscape architect/planner

I am - or work with - these professions. We spend about 50% of our time in the office and out of the office

Hawker
Dog handler
Outdoor pursuits instructor
Priest/vicar/pastor
Local government parks and recreation/access officer

Bushcraft instructor

Something health related? ODP is a shorter course.

Community payback supervisor

Any of the emergency services? Obvs not entirely desk free.
Traffic warden

Lots of jobs are indoors but mostly not at desks: catering, social care, nursing, retail, decorating, flooring, trades -- of which roofing or brickie can be outside work.

Nobody has mentioned agricultural work ?

Postie!! My friend had a mid life crisis a couple of years ago and became a postie. Took her a while to adjust but she absolutely loves it. Also lost a shed load of weight and can eat like a horse 😁