UKC

Hey guys,

This is my first post so I'm sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

I am 24 years of age and I'm keen to become an outdoor instructor, however I am unsure wether or not I would be too old to just get started into the profession. I have no NGBs but I do have rock climbing and hill walking experience.

I have been looking into fast track courses so if any of you know which courses are worth checking out that would be great also!

Thanks!

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

No, plenty of old hands out there instructing.
Getting it to pay ok seems to be the crux, after all those hours in the hills walking etc, payback time is huge. Seems a love of job rather than a get rich career.
Personally, having scuba dived and instructed with that, it killed the enjoyment for my personal diving. Now I climb and definitely don't want it as a job. I like it too much to ruin it by making it my job, maybe a tale of caution in there for you to think about and make sure you're sure.

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

NO! People start it at 42! I wouldn't do a fast track course though.

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

You think you're too old at 24...?

Too young, if anything...

In reply to JayPee630:

Seconded. Assumed from the title that you are going to be at least in your 40s.

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

Too late this year. But if you get some paddling experience and perhaps a couple of NGB training courses under your belt, consider applying for the aspirant leader / inst/ night watch posts at either pyb or glenmore next year. Advertised around mid summer onwards. .

Ps. You are never too old.

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

I was 44 when I passed my SPA and 46 when I did ML training. Alas never went back for assessment for my ML. 58 now and just done CWLA training. Don't intend to neglect this one like ML. So no you are not to old! I have a friend who has just passed his MIA at 52.

I wouldn't spend the cash on a fast track scheme either. Could you get a job and work your way through NGB's. What level do you want to instruct at?

I worked full time and did SPA work at weekends until I got redundancy five years ago. Since then have done lots of SPA work and some D of E work in the Peak. Ok not cutting edge stuff but I really enjoy it even if there are some long physically tiring days involved sometimes.

Yes, I only have entry level awards and I couldn't make a living out of it with the awards I have so you will have to decide
if you want to do it full time or not. I'd say you are definitely young enough to make it full time if you want to but like others have said it's a labour of love and takes dedication to get through the higher schemes.

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

24 too old??

You've got to compete with folk who've spent years in the outdoors, climbing, canoeing, mountaineering and so on. Your advantage is that being 24 most company's will think you may be willing to work for peanuts!!

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

Thanks for all the comments guys, its definitely given me the confidence to look into the various NGBs and try and work through them!

I was considering working for a season at a company like PGL or something to gain some experience working with groups and to maybe see if it was for me.

Any thoughts on if that would be a good place to start?

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

I did SPA and ML when I was well into my 50's but then decided that it wasn't for me when I realised that most of the work was with children. I would have preferred the full UIAA alpine guide type of work but left it a little late in life. I had been an instructor for a couple of years back in the late 60's but as with Kevster it spoilt my personal climbing enjoyment and paid next to nothing. If you like working with kids and don't see instructing as just an extension of your personal climbing you should be OK.

Al

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:
There are peas in my freezer older than you.

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:
Not even nearly! The vast majority of Outdoor Professionals did not start doing NGBs until their 20s.

My advice: choose a direction early and make an action plan to get there. Set yourself intermediate goals, and work through these.

Happy to give advice: drop me an email.

Ryan

In reply to RyanS:


I read that as set your self indeterminate goals

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

I started in the outdoor industry at 26. Got loads of quals in NZ worked for a bit and then circumstances brought me to the UK. Had to requalify again at 33. Certainly didn't feel too old.

Personally I would avoid the fast track scheme as I've seen people burn out pretty quick. You get loads of introductory quals but can't specialise, get worked like a dog four 8 months (if the company has promised work) and released afterwards. ...and have a big debt to pay off, which is why people then tend to get 'a real job'

At PGL again you can't specialise, but you don't have any debt. The catch being that its all in house training. Not a fan of PGLs attitude to outdoor ed but I've heard its a good environment to work in.

Anyway, I say go for it, employers are more likely to employ someone with a bit more life experience.

Good luck.

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

Dude, you are not too old for anything. Apart from maybe playdough.

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:
24? No way is that too old, nowhere near it.

I only instruct as a volunteer at a Scout wall rather than professionally, but I didn't even climb until I was 30. (38 now).

Neil

In reply to Rich W Parker:


Bit apparently not My Little Pony... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronies:_The_Extremely_Unexpected_Adult_Fan...

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

Hi I am 73 still working freelance that's old

In reply to Mel Turnbull:

Keep the fire burning!

Mick

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

Jeff i am 52 i started this season working for a company in Paignton. I now climb, kayak, coaster, hillwalking and many other activities. I completed an apprenticeship and have loved every second of it!!

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:
Write to walking tour organisers like Ramblers Holidays; I did just that in 1979 aged 23 and to my surprise landed a summer season walking/leading in Haute Savoie, which was a valuable experience.

In reply to deepsoup:


Have a like - genuine LOL. Still chuckling now.

In reply to bonebag:


Why not do your ML? there is no time limit on the assessment. I did mine 33 years after my training, thinking of doing my MIA when I retire in a few years...

Steve

In reply to Outdoorjeff7:

By the time you're 24 you've only just worked out that your arse isn't your elbow. Course you're not to old!