When it comes to an off-the-beaten path dream job -- like yoga instructor, park ranger, or peace keeper -- anything is possible. Here's how to decide which alternative career path to pursue.
Finding the Fantasy Job
Are you fascinated by a particular passion, but didn't initially "follow your heart" because making a living that way seemed impractical? If you're dreading coming to the office each morning, then it's time to reconsider.
Stephanie Adams did just that. Now the owner of Flow, Yoga, Spa & Wellness in Hood River, Oregon, Adams jumped full force into a law career before having children, but later found she didn't have the time to adequately balance parenthood and her law profession. So she quit her job and started taking yoga classes.
Soon enough, her hobby developed into a career. After acquiring certifications in yoga and fitness, Adams opened her own yoga studio, where she teaches and leads teacher-training programs for aspiring yoga instructors.
In order to parlay your fitness passion into a profession, consider education programs that offer a hands-on element, field work requirements, and internship or apprenticeship opportunities.
Get Out of the Office
If you prefer the serenity of Mother Nature to the cubicle, becoming a park ranger may be the path to follow. For Michael Rogers, the decision to become a seasonal park ranger at Ken Caryl Ranch in Littleton, Colorado, ended up being music to his ears.
Rogers is a professionally trained opera singer with a degree in vocal performance from University of Puget Sound. When he moved to Colorado recently with his wife, he discovered his love of nature. So when he's got downtime between auditions and performances, he earns a living working outdoors.
"As trite as it may sound, I love being outside all day amongst nature," says Rogers. "I had no idea that so much wildlife -- elk, deer, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, fox, a huge array of birds, and amazing foliage -- live in our development."
The one negative to his job, Rogers asserts, is paperwork. Park rangers also collect fees, enforce the law and ensure the safety of millions of people who visit parks and other campgrounds.
If you're interested in following in Roger's footsteps, you'll need more than a love for nature and the ability to go hiking. Look for a bachelor's program in park management, natural history or outdoor recreation. Most park rangers work two to five years part-time before landing a permanent position, so you may not want to quit that day job yet.
Give Peace a Chance
Want to make a difference? Then consider a career in conflict-resolution and promoting peace.
Though most of her friends were pre-med, Christe S. Bruderlin-Nelson pursued a peace and conflict studies (PACS) degree at University of California, Berkeley. She's now a freelance writer and consultant on topics related to her passion.
Beyond learning from a mentor, Bruderlin-Nelson sought out meetings with professionals with similar interests. She now takes part in an international think tank that led her to work on education initiatives for youth in West Kenya. Such involvement only solidifies her passion for peace.
Want to be on the frontline of U.S. embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions? Then join Bruderlin-Nelson and approximately 6,000 foreign service officers who serve in Washington, D.C. and at nearly 265 U.S. diplomatic posts around the world by signing up for a degree in peace and conflict studies.
