Careers in Nature
Every day, you spend a great deal of time in front of a screen for your office job. Do you find yourself longing more and more for time in the great outdoors? If so: have you already considered which jobs exist in the "green sector"? In this article, you will find inspiration for several green professions.
What jobs are available in nature? Find inspiration.
There are many professions in the fresh air and involving plants and animals. Essentially, they describe a working environment that consists predominantly of being outdoors. Below, you will find inspiration for various jobs in nature.
Careers in Nature with Plants
Gardener
Do you enjoy looking after plants? The job of a gardener brings you into contact with the outdoors for hours on end. You can work in large public parks as well as in private gardens or cemeteries, dedicating yourself to the beautification of the landscape. Retraining as a gardener usually takes two years and is generally a full-time course.
Winegrower (Vintner)
Do you enjoy working with your hands, have a great passion for wine, and love working in the fresh air? Then a job as a winegrower could be right for you. As one of the so-called "green professions," this also offers a nature-oriented, meaningful activity. Retraining usually takes three years, with part-time programmes also available.
Permaculture Designer
Another profession in the outdoors is this sustainable job: "Permaculture Designer." Originally devised by the Australian scientist Bill Mollison, it serves to precisely observe and imitate natural ecological cycles. As a permaculture designer, you handle the design of natural spaces, whether in the course of renaturation or the creation of gardens.
Forester / Forestry Worker
Almost a third of Germany's surface area is forested. By treating forest stocks responsibly and carefully, forestry workers maintain these areas. If you like spending a lot of time in the woods and want to work towards their protection and preservation, this could be the right green profession for you.
WWOOFing
To gain initial experience in outdoor work, you can combine a stay abroad with farm work. In exchange for board and lodging, you work on WWOOFing farms (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) for a few hours a day in a field, an orchard, or help in the kitchen. You can become a member at wwoof.net to get an overview of the possibilities.
Careers in Nature with People
Mountain Guide
Do you enjoy spending time in nature and are you an experienced mountaineer? In this profession, you can combine both. As a mountain guide, you work very independently on behalf of various providers such as alpine schools. Physical fitness and extensive mountaineering experience are prerequisites for further training.
Forest Guide or Forest Bathing Instructor
As soon as you are in the woods, you feel better. Is that true? Behind this lies not just magic, but now also science. Forest bathing, Shinrin Yoku, originally comes from Japan and is increasingly finding its way into Central Europe. You can train to become a forest bathing instructor, nature pedagogue, or medical-therapeutic forest and health trainer.
Photographer
As a photographer, you also have the opportunity to work predominantly outdoors. Depending on your focus, you can work as a wedding photographer, event photographer, or portrait photographer in nature. Skills can be acquired through formal training or can be self-taught.
Nature Pedagogue
Do you feel connected to nature and want to work with people at the same time? Then a job as a nature or wilderness pedagogue could be for you. Nowadays, large parts of society spend most of their time away from nature in their homes or offices. Nature pedagogy is essential to bridge the threat of alienation from nature.
Mindfulness Trainer
A healthy approach to stress is essential for everyone. As a mindfulness trainer (e.g. MBSR – Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), you teach people specific techniques to sense stress early and manage emotions mindfully. You can offer these sessions in the great outdoors: who wouldn't want to attend a mindfulness course in the mountains or the forest?
Careers in Nature with Animals
Animal Keeper
Do you love nature and animals? In the field of animal keeping, you can dedicate yourself to rearing and care in a zoo, wildlife park, or animal shelter. Creativity is also required; in a zoo, for example, you might handle the design of the enclosures.
Animal Physiotherapist
In this job, you work on specific posture and movement problems of your animal patients. Similar to treating humans, classic physiotherapeutic methods are used, such as massage. Animal physiotherapists usually work in their own practice or via home visits.
Equine Manager
Do you love horses and would like to spend the whole day with them? This profession brings you into direct contact with animals and offers various specialisations, from classical riding instruction to horse breeding and racing.
Farmer
Do you enjoy close contact with animals and meaningful work? Hardly any activity is as fundamentally important for society as that of a farmer, as they ensure our food supply. Although the physical demand is relatively high, it offers more work in the fresh air than almost any other job.
Careers with People and Animals
Riding Pedagogue
Do you enjoy riding and have a good rapport with both people and horses? Using equestrian therapeutic methods, riding pedagogues improve the physical and mental well-being of various people.
Animal-Assisted Therapist
In this profession, you use animal support as a therapist to help people with psychological and/or physical limitations. This therapy resembles a partnership between human and animal, often creating deep bonds.
Career change – is it possible?
A career change into green professions is sometimes linked to retraining that can take two to three years. However, some activities are also possible through self-taught learning, allowing you to start directly with your passion and acquired skills. There are also numerous shorter training courses that can be completed in a few weeks or months.
It is definitely possible to switch from an office job to a career in the great outdoors. The most important prerequisites are a connection to nature and the will to learn something new. You won't be starting from scratch: find clarity through an analysis of your personal strengths.
Further Alternatives and Support
Into the outdoors with a laptop
Before you completely reorient your career, you might be able to change your daily work routine immediately. With a job that allows for remote work or home office, you have the opportunity to move your office outdoors to the terrace or balcony.
Off to a green career?
If you want to put it to the test first, you can get involved as a volunteer (e.g., with NGOs), go WWOOFing, or complete an internship. This allows you to see if a profession in the outdoors suits you while polishing your CV for a potential career change.
Help with decisions
Are you considering a professional change but feel overwhelmed by the many possibilities? Are you wondering what the right path is for you? You can get support here: waldzeit Coaching with Kerstin.
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