Did you choose climbing over a better career?

I'm a recent college grad; found a job, moved away, blah blah blah...and I hate it. I understand most salaried jobs can be slightly longer hours than standard 8-5 M-F but it's getting ridiculous and cutting into climbing time, both nights and weekends. I know I went through college for a reason and would love to put my skills to use but I don't want a job that is going to restrict my ability to climb.

Would love to hear some other stories about those that have sacrificed high paying jobs to move to better climbing/outdoors, but still maintained a career somehow?

I chose to climb more rather than have a good career in my 20's.

By my 30's I was really screwed up from it. Had I kept on that path, I would have been old and broke, with strong fingers. Not my idea of a good time. It actually make me kind of hate climbing for a while.

I went back to school in my 30's with the idea of being able to make money and have some life balance. I'll tell you in a few years if it works.

Could have been a world famous jewel thief. Travel the world. Eat exotic animals. All that boring stuff.

But then I wouldn't have all these draws. Life's about sacrifices.

kzurriola wrote:I'm a recent college grad; found a job, moved away, blah blah blah...and I hate it. I understand most salaried jobs can be slightly longer hours than standard 8-5 M-F but it's getting ridiculous and cutting into climbing time, both nights and weekends. I know I went through college for a reason and would love to put my skills to use but I don't want a job that is going to restrict my ability to climb. Would love to hear some other stories about those that have sacrificed high paying jobs to move to better climbing/outdoors, but still maintained a career somehow?

Yes and no, I chose a career that uses my degree, but I did choose to work somewhere that I can get a lot of time off and am never required to work more than 40 hours a week. I could certainly make more money working somewhere else, but the time off and limited work hours are worth the somewhat lower salary to me. Personally, I find this to be a great compromise, still working a professional career but still allowing a decent amount of time for climbing.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion wrote:I chose to climb more rather than have a good career in my 20's. By my 30's I was really screwed up from it. Had I kept on that path, I would have been old and broke, with strong fingers. Not my idea of a good time. It actually make me kind of hate climbing for a while. I went back to school in my 30's with the idea of being able to make money and have some life balance. I'll tell you in a few years if it works.

Do you ever wonder what that short fat guy in his 50s did before serving coffee?
Yeah, I didn't think so,
was that half-cafe & soy you wanted?, . . .Next
#seeya@Strbks

kennoyce wrote: Yes and no, I chose a career that uses my degree, but I did choose to work somewhere that I can get a lot of time off and am never required to work more than 40 hours a week. I could certainly make more money working somewhere else, but the time off and limited work hours are worth the somewhat lower salary to me. Personally, I find this to be a great compromise, still working a professional career but still allowing a decent amount of time for climbing.

I would love to find the setup that you have. I do want to work, and utilize my education, but I don't want to work more than 40 hours a week. I'm willing for the compromise of a lower salary. I think it's great that you found that! I'll keep searching...

kzurriola wrote:I'm a recent college grad; found a job, moved away, blah blah blah...and I hate it. I understand most salaried jobs can be slightly longer hours than standard 8-5 M-F but it's getting ridiculous . . . Would love to hear some other stories about those that have sacrificed high paying jobs to move to better climbing/outdoors, but still maintained a career somehow?

totally.

no easy answers

Tim Lutz wrote:totally. became a teacher for more time/less stress (HA!) considered going to law school after being disillusioned with teaching, but lawyer friends say they'd rather be teachers... no easy answers

Draw Thief wrote:Could have been a world famous jewel thief. Travel the world. Eat exotic animals. All that boring stuff. But then I wouldn't have all these draws. Life's about sacrifices.

I thought both lutz & thief were lawyers?
HHmmmm? Teachers 'n Lawyers, that's good marriage advice. It could save on counseling later.
My apologies, Kzurriola, finding the right balance is The name of the game. Not for you but for the
young men it is the cougar hunting generation.
you lucky bastards
DATE Foreign, Always Marry up, . . . older, . . . oops ? I mean. . ? always marry your lawyer.

After I graduated I moved from the Midwest to CO to climb more, I don't have a "professional" career (as opposed to an an unprofessional career? sorry but that phrase is redundant and meaningless) but I still make enough to pay my bills and buy climbing gear and still save money and I only work 40hrs a week with weekends off. But I did have to make less for a bit until I found something better. You can choose the route that will make you more money and when you are older and can't climb any more you can look back on all those great times you had looking at your bank account.

Michael Schneider wrote: I thought both lutz & thief were lawyers? HHmmmm? Teachers 'n Lawyers, that's good marriage advice. It could save on counseling later. young men it is the cougar hunting generation. you lucky bastards DATE Foreign, Always Marry up, . . . older, . . . oops ? I mean. . ? always marry your lawyer.

I specialize in draw law.

kennoyce wrote: Yes and no, I chose a career that uses my degree, but I did choose to work somewhere that I can get a lot of time off and am never required to work more than 40 hours a week. I could certainly make more money working somewhere else, but the time off and limited work hours are worth the somewhat lower salary to me. Personally, I find this to be a great compromise, still working a professional career but still allowing a decent amount of time for climbing.

This. Working for the government is nice. Actual 40 hour weeks, adequate amounts of vacation time. It is a compromise, though, and like any compromise you may not be totally satisfied on either front. Sometimes I wish I had gone for a more lucrative career, others times I wish I was living in a van. But most of the time, it is a good compromise.

Living somewhere with really easy access to climbing helps a massive amount. Even the difference between a 10 minute drive to climbing and a 40 minute drive to climbing will affect how much you get out, and how much stress it imparts on your life to do so. The 9-5'er lifestyle can still allow lots of climbing if you live in the right location (SLC, Boulder, Chattanooga, etc.). Trying to be a climber while 9-5ing in the Bay Area or Boston is a lot more stressful. Trying to do so in Houston is pretty unworkable.

Emphasizing efficient training is also key. Those 9-5ers who are really successful climbers all tend to be very organized and efficient with their training. Having two weekend days to climb, plus two weekday evenings to train each week can actually be very conducive to improving as a climber- in some ways better than just being a dirtbag and climbing al the time.

And you have to be motivated.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion wrote:I chose to climb more rather than have a good career in my 20's. By my 30's I was really screwed up from it. Had I kept on that path, I would have been old and broke, with strong fingers. Not my idea of a good time. It actually make me kind of hate climbing for a while. I went back to school in my 30's with the idea of being able to make money and have some life balance. I'll tell you in a few years if it works.

Exactly this path for me but I can comment on the 'if it works' part. Just hit 45 and it definitely worked. Not climbing every weekend but still getting out. Best.job.ever, wife, curtain-climbers, mortgage, etc, etc.. and almost done with student loans (by end of 2016).

It won't be like it is when you were in your 20's (*what is?) but, like others have said, "compromise".

Yes, there's life after dirtbagging. Just have to decide when the right time is for you to hit the books and/or join the ranks. My only advice is don't wait too long or you'll be going the #seeya@Strbks route. Because let's face it, bald old fat guys aren't exactly prime hiring material - regardless of how long you can mono hang.

Brady3 wrote:... you can look back on all those great times you had looking at your bank account.

Though, watching my net worth grow is pretty fun!

OP, I work for the government in a field of my career interest/passion. If you've got an opportunity, and your career wants align, look into government for sure. No more than 40-hour work weeks, good benefits, and you can accrue vacation/sick days. Plus, I'm on a 9/80 schedule, which means I have every other Firday off.

Brady3 wrote:After I graduated I moved from the Midwest to CO to climb more, I don't have a "professional" career (as opposed to an an unprofessional career? sorry but that phrase is redundant and meaningless) but I still make enough to pay my bills and buy climbing gear and still save money and I only work 40hrs a week with weekends off. But I did have to make less for a bit until I found something better. You can choose the route that will make you more money and when you are older and can't climb any more you can look back on all those great times you had looking at your bank account.

Thanks for all the insight everyone! This comment was definitely a favorite so far - I am so afraid of choosing the job that pays better with more hours and more stress, subsequently less climbing, and saving up for "retirement" when I can't climb anymore anyway. This helps put it in perspective that it is completely okay for me to choose the lower paying, less stress job that allows me to be outside and climb. I'm feeling the pressure from my family that thinks you have to get a full-time job out of college and it has to be your #1 priority. I just can't live like that. I want to care about my job but also be able to live a life outside of that job!

If you want to climb as much as possible, live in a van and get a job you can work remotely, e.g. anything in the IT world. If living in a van and being a textbook dirtbag doesn't work for you, then the next best thing you can do is move closer to climbing and become a weekend warrior. I work a 40hr/wk job, which I'm grateful for, and am able to climb any weekend it's not raining if I so choose. This is nice, but even the 40hrs is a bit draining, so I'm also looking into the possibility of teaching and have a few months off a year plus weekends throughout each semester.

dylan grabowski wrote: Though, watching my net worth grow is pretty fun! OP, I work for the government in a field of my career interest/passion. If you've got an opportunity, and your career wants align, look into government for sure. No more than 40-hour work weeks, good benefits, and you can accrue vacation/sick days. Plus, I'm on a 9/80 schedule, which means I have every other Firday off.

That does sound like a great deal. If you don't mind me asking, what do you do exactly? (I admit I'm pretty naive when it comes to working for the government)

For anyone able to provide more industry-specific advice; I have a business administration & marketing degree with a minor in environmental studies. My past experiences and current employment are with medical device companies (a personal interest because of a father in biomed). I also have graphic design experience. I'd love to work in anything med device/health & wellness or outdoor/sustainability/environmental sciences related. I do think I have options, I'm just stuck on how to find that job that balances work & climbing life.

Did you choosing climbing over a better career?
-No

I live in Denver, have a career (45-55 hrs/week usually), and mostly boulder. Colorado has amazing bouldering so I don't feel the need to leave the state very often. I'm mostly limited to nights and weekends, but that works for me.

If I had more free time I wouldn't train any more than I do now (the body needs time to recover). Move somewhere that has good climbing!

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion wrote:I'll tell you in a few years if it works.

Man what's up w/ you? Everybody else in this thread seem to have this life thing pretty much figured out.

Work/life balance? That's another saying for toiling in perpetual mediocrity. I guess most of us are good at that.

kzurriola wrote: That does sound like a great deal. If you don't mind me asking, what do you do exactly? (I admit I'm pretty naive when it comes to working for the government) For anyone able to provide more industry-specific advice; I have a business administration & marketing degree with a minor in environmental studies. My past experiences and current employment are with medical device companies (a personal interest because of a father in biomed). I'd love to work in anything med device/health & wellness or outdoor/sustainability/environmental sciences related. I do think I have options, I'm just stuck on how to find that job that balances work & climbing life.

Not at all, I'm a transportation planner for the State. I studied urban planning, and relocated from CO to CA for this gig. There's almost always a role in the gov't for the field anyone studied. With your work and education experience, you'd definitely be able to get your foot into the door for a gov't agency, especially for a large state like CA!

If you've got more specific questions, shoot me a PM, and I'll be happy to answer anything.

JCM wrote:Question for the OP: For reference, what field of work are you in?

I just posted a brief description in an above comment after the 'david grabowski' quote (sorry it's a little hidden)!

I work in a somewhat professional career but at an hourly wage (at a local non-profit) utilizing my degree. My job is a very stress-free position that allows me independence and creativity. But I left a much more high paying career that made me want to blow my brains out each day. My job now is peaceful and I negotiated 30 hours a week, and get full benefits plus summers off and four weeks during the year as well (obviously unpaid.) I have turned down opportunities for advancement with my current agency, mainly because I do not want to work 40 hours and be responsible for more shit.
So, no I don't make a lot of money, but I don't want for anything either. I just don't blow it on crap and take care of the things i do have. When buying stuff I really think about what is a "want" vs. what is a "need", and it's surprising how little we actually "need", even to climb. But I also choose not to have children, so I don't have anyone to support but myself. So that is a totally different topic to think about as well when thinking about how you want to spend your time & money.
But I did all this in my mid-thirties. In my twenties, I didn't even climb, I had a totally different hobby and I lived and worked in a ski town. So life's a journey, what you want now may be different in ten years.
My quality of life is so much better now than when I had a high paying job and now I get to travel on extended vacations and I live only 30 minutes away from my local rock. So I guess your choices just need to be based on your own priorities today.

OP, just remember, whatever you pick, you're not only saving for retirement, you're also saving for the unforeseen emergencies and opportunities (being laid off, water heater explodes, great deal on a house, pregnancy complications, opening your own business, etc). If you're living paycheck to paycheck, pretty hard to do anything other than keep grinding it out.

Though admittedly I accepted a pay cut and more limited position to move to where I am now and get to climb more (a lot more, after not surviving seventh round of layoffs...).