10 Jobs That’ll Keep You Outdoors

When my brother graduated from high school, he was dazed and confused. As his mates went to uni, nabbed apprenticeships, and started nine-to-fives, he washed dishes day in, day out for years. He had no idea what he wanted to pursue, didn't feel good enough at anything in particular, and generally felt left behind.

My dad (who lowkey is a lord) sat my brother down and told him this: "When in doubt, go outside". 

My dad told my brother "it's fine that you don't know what you wanna do!" But what he could do was nab a job outdoors. Why? I mean there are studies up the wazoo stating the obvious - humans need to be outdoors. It lowers our blood pressure, boosts our immunity, and decreases stress and anxiety... and that's just the tip of the iceberg! 

My brother eventually became a park ranger and is ✨thriiiiiving✨, my inspiration for this article. So, if you're a bit lost like my brother was, or you just need to be outside because of the benefits, here are ten careers that don't include four walls and a desk. 

1. Park Ranger 🏞️

Okay, I'm starting with my brothers' job, sue me, I'm proud ok! A park ranger preserves, manages, and protects the natural environment and cultural sites. One day they could be protecting endangered or threatened animals, the next they could be eliminating pests and weeds that harm native plants. Their stomping grounds are national parks, historic sites, nature reserves, and recreation areas. 

2. Wildlife Biologist 🦠

These guns study animals and other wildlife to suss out how they interact with their ecosystems. To do this, they need to conduct experimental studies or collect biological data and specimens for analysis ie. be outside.

They also monitor wildlife populations and invasive species, research animal breeding programs, and develop conservation plans. If Vitamin D + animals makes you stoked, this could be the career path for you. 

3. Lifeguard 

Can it get any better than being at the beach every day? 

By ensuring the safety and well-being of swimmers and beachgoers, lifeguards have the opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives. Not only that, they're outside and keeping fit, making this a healthy job choice in the sun.

4. Arborist 🌳

An arborist is basically a tree surgeon. They cultivate, manage, and study individual trees, shrubs, vines, and woody plants. Whether you're climbing trees, pruning branches, or assessing tree health, it's safe to say you'll be getting enough fresh air every day in this industry.

Not to mention, this profession allows you to make a positive impact on the environment!! By preserving and enhancing green spaces, you're promoting biodiversity, and improving the overall quality of life in communities. 

5. Scuba Diving Instructor 🤿

If you like the idea of your workplace literally being under the sea, your desk: a coral reef, and your colleagues: marine life, this is the job for you. 

As an instructor, you'd be teaching students skills and ensuring their safety. Not only that, you have the opportunity to show people the beauty and wonder of the ocean and help them to understand the importance of preserving it!

6. Construction Worker 🚧

Construction is a hands-on career. It's physical, keeping you in shape, whilst being outside. Not only that, you have a sense of tangible accomplishment as you contribute to the creation and improvement of structures. 

Whether carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, or project management tickles your fancy, there is a tonne of career paths and job sites to never keep you bored in the outdoors.

7. Agricultural Engineer 🚜 

Agricultural engineering allows you to engage with nature and the environment hands-on. You have the chance to contribute to sustainable farming methods, optimise crop production, or enhance food systems. You're basically the problem solver of the agriculture world. 

You could work on designing and developing innovative solutions for farming challenges, like bettering irrigation systems, creating efficient machinery or implementing renewable energy sources. And to find the solutions, you'd have to be... you guessed it, outside.

8. Firefighter 🔥

It's no secret that firefighters handle dynamic and physically demanding tasks that require them to be out in the open. Combating fires and responding to emergencies isn't for the faint-hearted. But someone's gotta get all those cats down from trees. 

The other range of duties firefighters do daily, like conducting search and rescue operations, providing medical assistance, and handling hazardous materials incidents, often requires them to be in various outdoor locations, getting Vitamin D on the move. 

9. Geologist 🌋

If you have a curiosity about the planet's history, get this career on your radar. 

You'd be spending a significant amount of time in the field, conducting fieldwork and exploration in diverse environments. Whether it's studying rock formations, fossils, or geological features, your crucial role is understanding and managing natural resources. By studying the Earth's geological makeup, you can contribute to sustainable resource management, conservation efforts, and hazard mitigation. 

10. Surveyor 👷

Surveying offers a red hot blend of fieldwork, technical expertise, and the opportunity to directly interact with the physical environment from from urban areas to rural terrains.

You'd be measuring, mapping, and documenting land, ensuring accurate boundaries, and providing essential data for construction, infrastructure development, and land management projects.

There you have it. Ten careers that'll give you enough Vitamin D to be happy and healthy. ☀️