These Schools Can Help You Break Into The Outdoor Industry

December 8, 2022December 18, 2022 Caroline Business

Thinking of entering the outdoor recreation industry? If you’re a student (or looking to change careers), there’s no better time to do so. A growing number of colleges across the United States offer programs for the enterprising workers of the future with the goal of equipping the best hardware manufacturers, marketers and business owners of the future to succeed. The latest school to join the list is the University of Denver.

DU’s new Outdoor Recreation Industry Leadership program offers two graduate degrees, one in Outdoor Recreation Industry Leadership (ORIB) and one in Outdoor Recreation Industry Leadership (ORIL). The ORIB certification focuses on core business skills such as accounting, finance and marketing and is aimed at young graduates with little or no business experience. The most advanced is ORIL for middle managers who already have some business knowledge (on vacation or elsewhere). ORIL courses include more advanced topics such as financial models, supply chain issues, human resources, and growth management.

Both programs begin in the spring, and virtual participation is an option for those who don’t live in the Mile High City.

“We are creating specialized and accessible programs to prepare students for the outside jobs available now and the changing careers of the future,” said the university’s president, Jeremy Hefner.

The new program is funded in part by a $3 million grant from the VF Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Denver-based VF Corporation, the parent company of The North Face and Smartwool.

“Denver is a major hub for the outdoor recreation industry, which makes DU the ideal location for a program like this,” said Steve Rundle, CEO of VF Corporation and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the VF Corporation. “Through the directed support of the Underrepresented Scholarship Fund, along with DU’s broad range of business and industry-related courses, we hope to inspire the next generation of diverse leaders in the outdoor recreation industry. Air.”

With the offshore economy generating $374 billion in annual consumer spending in the United States, it is not surprising that such academic offerings are popping up at colleges and universities across the country. Here is a list of other popular programs that aim to rip people off.

Arkansas
Want to start your own outdoor business? The University of Arkansas ‘ Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP) helps aspiring entrepreneurs understand the ins and outs of starting a business through workshops, mentoring, classes, and coaching at the university’s new greenhouse incubator in Bentonville, which has a growing reputation for the great outdoors. The content is designed to meet unique outdoor business challenges and bring equipment ideas to life, and most consulting and networking services are free. Do you already have an outdoor business? The 12-week GORP Cohort Program helps owners expand their ideas through workshops, networking, and funding throughout the year.

Arizona
Prescott College offers two majors for those who want to make a living learning, but want to do so abroad. Adventure Education offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in outdoor education with courses in program management and leadership, wildlife therapy, and more.

Colorado
Do you dream of becoming a mountain guide or ski resort operator? The Master of Adventure Education at Fort Lewis College helps students become wildlife healers, guides, adventure educators, and community farm workers. After completing 33 credit hours of math, history, and science, students earn 57 credits in courses such as Wilderness Expedition, Adventure Education Essentials, Wilderness First Response, and Adventure Education Teaching Methods. Choices include basic rock climbing, fast water rescue, and advanced winter travel. For students focused on the ski industry, the Ski Resort Operations Certificate teaches the ins and outs of running commercial ski and ski resorts.

Earn an MBA in External Studies from Western Colorado University at Gunnison. The Outdoor Recreation Industry MBA is a two-year program that includes core MBA programs as well as a specialized product or service track in the outdoor recreation industry. Product focus includes specialist courses in sustainable equipment development and materials sourcing; supply chain and logistics; and sustainable financing. The service focus offers specialized courses in hotel and resort management, natural resource management, and sales. (Plus, you can explore the Black Canyon of the Gunnison when you’re not studying.)

Colorado State University at Fort Collins offers two graduate degrees specifically aimed at the outdoor recreation industry, one in adventure tourism and the other in ski resort management. The six-course, 12-credit programs require a bachelor’s degree for application, but are open to accredited professionals and graduates. At under $1,000 each, certifications are an affordable way to immerse yourself in the industry and gain year-round sales knowledge and skills.

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Master of Science in Recreation Economics program offers a Master ‘s degree in Recreation Economics with additional graduate degrees in areas such as natural resource policy and economic development. The program is completely online, so you can access it from anywhere, although Boulder has great outside access.

Massachusetts
For those looking to lead outdoor adventure programs like those offered at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Outward Bound, Greenfield Community College’s Adventure Education Program offers the perfect training. The program aims to develop critical, philosophical and technical skills in adventure education. Paco trekking, rock climbing, Paddleboarding, and skiing are the focus, and the program’s accreditation capabilities meet national standards for the adventure industry.

Michigan
Become a snow sports professional in Gogebic Community College ‘s ski area management program, where courses and hands-on experience work in the Mt. Zion Ski prepares students for technical and managerial positions. On-site training follows practice at the country’s ski resorts. Courses include ski resort planning, ski basics, and ski resort operations/cost analysis.

If you are interested in a career in public land management at the local, state, or federal level, Northern Michigan University’s Outdoor Recreational Leadership and Management program in Marquette is worth considering. A bachelor’s degree prepares students for a variety of outdoor recreation disciplines to prepare them for employment. The program also ensures that students meet the National Parks and Recreation Association (NRPA) prerequisites.

Montana
Want to become a professional mountain goat? Montana State University ‘s Snow Science program in the school’s popular Geosciences department teaches all snow safety topics to students pursuing careers in the ski industry, search and rescue, driving, and more. The intensive courses cover many disciplines, including physics, engineering, hydrology, statistics and analysis, chemistry, and geomorphology. For graduate students, the Snow and Avalanche Lab combines research and exploration to help students better understand and predict snow events.

North Carolina
Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education at Brevard College is a Bachelor of Arts degree that emphasizes marketable skills for professional leadership, rock climbing instruction, and other adventure careers. Courses prepare students for the business and adventurous aspects of making a living in the outdoor industry, from keeping clients happy to balancing a company budget.

The Master of Science in Experiential and Outdoor Education at Western Carolina University in Kalawa, NC is designed for students who wish to work as educators in exploratory schools, charter schools, community colleges, camps, and more. The two-year program offers online classes during the week and face-to-face classes on the weekends, making it easier for working students to graduate.

Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google
Redirect Google