Professions for a Climbing Career

caughtinside wrote: One other thing for the OP: there are lots of self study learn-to-code programs out there, some of them are free. I would suggest trying those out before you commit to a bootcamp. Spend 3 hours a day on them, see how you feel.. 

+1 for that suggestion.

I really think that before you can get something out of a cramming session (which is essentially what a boot camp is) there is some threshold of capacity you should have already acquired. A cramming/rush session like that I feel is most effective when you already have some pieces in place and you can then use the process to consolidate & push existing knowledge. I doubt the effectiveness of that to learn out of thin air...

caughtinside wrote: One other thing for the OP: there are lots of self study learn-to-code programs out there, some of them are free. I would suggest trying those out before you commit to a bootcamp. Spend 3 hours a day on them, see how you feel.

Khan Academy - online and free, all subjects, all grade levels.

For someone who hasn't done any coding, some basics in computer science and algorithmic theory are essential.
https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/ap-computer-science-principles

Unfamiliar with the Khan Academy? This keynote talk from SIGCHI 2016 is one of the best conference talks I've ever heard.

Marc801 C wrote: Khan Academy - online and free, all subjects, all grade levels.

That is high school level stuff nobody is going to pay you to know.  If you want free college level material the real world is looking for, suggest opencourseware or similar.  If entry level opencourseware is confusing, brush up on your pre-reqs on khan.  Also, I have say, bragging that you know git or Agile is like telling your interviewer you know how to wipe your own butt - skills so basic it's assumed you'll just pick them up as you go.

Bill Schick wrote: That is high school level stuff nobody is going to pay you to know.  If you want free college level material the real world is looking for, suggest opencourseware or similar.  If entry level opencourseware is confusing, brush up on your pre-reqs on khan.

Exactly. We're talking about someone who is considering a coding boot-camp to start a "profession for a climbing career". I posit that he doesn't have the pre-reqs, and if he does, fine. Then he can go and look at the programming courses. This would be only to see if he feels the field suits him.

I doubt climbing can maintain its breakneck growth rate, but if it does, then in 10 years all the crags will be too crowded for reasonable people to climb on the weekends.  Find a job where you have weekdays off.

khan academy?! if the OP can’t get in the top 10 of harvard’s free open algorithms, he’s gonna die.

http://www.openculture.com/2017/12/advanced-algorithms-a-free-course-from-harvard-university.html

Wildland fire. But only If you want to get hard and live in the small communities where the climbing's at. You can make out pretty well for just six months of purely seasonal work, and you don't feel like you're selling your soul. It strikes a decent balance between being a total deadbeat and a productive member of society. That said, I couldn't tell you the last time I did any serious climbing in August..

Apparently, a strict regime of schlepping huge tree rounds was key to the FFA of the Tom Egan Memorial Route up in the bugaboos, so +1 for a job that makes you suffer a little.

reboot wrote:

I like to be realistic, so I can't assume someone who I've never met (and admittedly is more interested in climbing) will be in the top 5% (or better) of motivation and talent...

I see your point. It's good that you're posting.

It's a good field in that what formal qualifications you have won't hold you back, you can teach yourself everything you need to get that first role. Then once in the role, leverage those 40 paid hours a week for all they are worth to progress and whatever spare time you, and move on when you feel you are starting to stagnate.

But if you didn't enjoy to some capacity the field at hand, that's going to be hard. If there's zero spark there, you'll probably just be like all those mediocre tech employees. They still make OK money, in a physically safe and comfortable working environment, and build a talent that's very useful in all manner of white collar roles - being able to bring computing might to bear against one's problems.

But generally yeah, they're not earning the big bucks. It's harder to be competitive in something you don't really like doing.

I think the only way for OP to know is to start down the path in his free time. Some have a passion for it, some don't.

Doug Chism wrote:

I didnt say he should do that now, its called aspiring to be something. Some people have goals in life besides sending hard climbs. 

Here is a free consultation! You’re a prime candidate for a reading comprehension boot camp. Read his OP! 

"IMO, the three things that will keep you away from climbing are:

1. Rent/mortgage
2. Kids/family
3. Lack of easy access to climbing"

I'd agree with this. I have 2 out of 3 but the reason I can afford them (plus easy access to climbing) is a decent full time job. Focusing on the bright shiny object at 25 is a big mistake IMO. .As in climbing training think very long term about your choices as they could affect you on down the road.

you should listen to every climbing related pod cast that bill ramsey has done

HVAC is where its at in the construction industry. 25-30 an hour to start, 100 an hour after you get your own thing going. Not back breaking, requires intelligence, set your own schedule.

To the original poster....your millennial is showing.  

Tech field is good for earning money but for most people in tech companies it's long hours and high stress, can be very competitive.   I was a programmer for 10+ years and probably worked 7 days a week for most of those.   However I made great money and bought a house in my 20's.  If you are not passionate about tech you will either burn out or get aged out. If you want flexibility, ability to do long trips, healthcare or academia seems like the way to go.  Also skilled trades, especially if you can own your own business.

He is gen z 

Have you thought about working for a climbing/outdoor gear company?  I know it's a 9-5 kind of job but I love it, I live in Salt Lake, I'm 5 minutes away from great gyms and 20 minutes from good climbing.  I regularly climb after work ,get really good discounts on gear, and have a consistent schedule that's easy to train around.  I tried seasonal work before this (bumping chairs at ski resorts and flipping burgers in Yosemite) both have their perks but never really fit right for me.  Good luck with the search!

jason Wisniewski95 wrote: Have you thought about working for a climbing/outdoor gear company?  I know it's a 9-5 kind of job but I love it, I live in Salt Lake, I'm 5 minutes away from great gyms and 20 minutes from good climbing.  I regularly climb after work ,get really good discounts on gear, and have a consistent schedule that's easy to train around.  I tried seasonal work before this (bumping chairs at ski resorts and flipping burgers in Yosemite) both have their perks but never really fit right for me.  Good luck with the search!

Jason, curious which company and what role. I moved to CO a few years ago with the goal of finding a marketing position at a company that operates in the space, but have struggled. Would love to hear more about your background! Feel free to PM me if you'd rather!

Matthew Lee wrote:If you want flexibility, ability to do long trips, healthcare or academia seems like the way to go.  Also skilled trades, especially if you can own your own business.

Maaaaaybe teaching, definitely not academia though. Super competitive, only becoming more competitive as time goes on, and with a 50+ hour work week (everyone takes their work home, although you can somewhat choose when you work). The money is decent once you're established, and if you get tenure you can become dead wood and coast along at low effort, but that's a long way off. And your ability to get ahead is almost entirely controlled by grants.

I've lived with two academics most of my life, had quite a few friends/mentors who were academics or headed that route, and considered going there myself at several points. None of them went into it for the money or free time, all of them were very interested in the subject of their choice and followed it down a rabbit hole.

Some technicians would have the flexibility you're looking for, and the pay is alright. The jobs are generally dependant on grants that are out of your control though, so it's not stable in the long term. If you were considering something academia-related to allow for significant climbing that would be the ticket. Sort of where I am at the moment actually.

On the original topic land management and conservation jobs both seem like decent options if you don't want to sit behind a desk all day. Mining is a fair choice in Australia (block shifts, pays well) but I have no idea how well it would work in North America.

If you're a gear nerd retail might be okay, depending on the company.

In my experience smaller companies tend to be more willing to work around what your availability is, so that's worth considering.

Cindy wrote: Nursing is another possible field.  Many variations of the job, generally high need. 

I tried to become a wet nurse but the opportunity dried up.