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This is a long shot but I figured putting it out there can’t hurt! I’m currently employed as an ‘Account Manager’ and I’m hoping to make a career switch. I’m simply not satisfied working within an industry I have no passion for. I’ve earned a Bachelor’s Degree in marketing and currently acquiring my Master’s in graphic design. I’m trained in the use of Microsoft Excel, Photoshop, Lightroom, Final Cut Pro X, Python, R, and SQL. If anyone has any opportunities available please feel free to reach out! I’ve always hoped for a career revolving around outdoor recreation and or skiing. I’m willing to make a lateral shift for an entry level position (FULL DISCLOSURE. I’ll work my ass off). Thanks, let me know!🤝
Don’t be afraid to go more entry level, too. A lot of friends I know that work for brands in the industry started out as regular ol ski shop employees. A lot of ski industry jobs are word of mouth hirings so they can keep it more tight knit. Good luck, follow the passion, it has worked for me!
Different careers offers different types of skiing.
Evening shift restauant workers ski the most and decent money.
On mountain jobs get you ski time but the biggest perk is free pass.
Trade school is a great option for long term. Work ass off be plumber and only ski 15 days a year but 7 of those you are heli skiing.
College (no debt, good degree and luck) you get a white collar 9-5. You ski maybe 8 days a year but you spend 10k everytime you go. But your body becomes so smuchymuscle smuchybones because of vending machine snacks .
.nastyDon’t be afraid to go more entry level, too. A lot of friends I know that work for brands in the industry started out as regular ol ski shop employees. A lot of ski industry jobs are word of mouth hirings so they can keep it more tight knit. Good luck, follow the passion, it has worked for me!
The industry is grossly incestual and most jobs are taken by industry people before theyre even posted. Im on the same path as you OP and its tough af to find a career (jobs at ski shops are a great start) buy you got it! My recommendations are to be as personable as possible. Go to events, bug the shit out of your local reps. They are always looking for kids who are hungry enough to put themselves out there! I know all of the New England reps because I worked at a shop for 3 years. Ive gone to demoes and expos and all that stuff and thats where you gotta start! Keep us updated (and maybe hit me up if you want a job at Ballard Ski MFG. later on ;) )
Forsure learn illustrator, can open up a lot of opportunities. Seriously congrats for taking control of your life to do something you love, most people suffer in silence their whole life, best of luck!
I feel like you got a lot of networking to do within the ski industry to get a job that would be a lateral move for yourself. (I have no business giving advice for making a career in the ski industry)
J Skis and 4FRNT hire every year. 4FRNT is hiring now. It’s usually for seasonal customer service. Location is Burlington. That’s a place to start. Then just network like crazy. Put yourself into a position to edit their videos, etc. Talk to as many people as you can. Get to know your homies homies. I was on that grind for a bit. Still love it. Taking a break from it but hope to come back one day in another capacity. Always cool to see your homies spread out across the industry and doing cool stuff. Still blows my mind!
Another idea is to talk to local ski builders. I’ve done that before with success. Interned at a ski builder because I sent the guy an email out of the blue.
It just takes persistence but, I will say, shops are a phenomenal way to meet industry folk and understand the whole picture. I know a lot of industry folk have started in shops too. From what I’ve read, @onenerdykid and @tomPietrowski both worked in shops.
Hopefully you guys can chime in here?
Let’s throw in @Twig@bradwalters@patagonialuke for good measure too because they all have interesting industry jobs too and can hopefully provide some more insight
Ajd2700This is a long shot but I figured putting it out there can’t hurt! I’m currently employed as an ‘Account Manager’ and I’m hoping to make a career switch. I’m simply not satisfied working within an industry I have no passion for. I’ve earned a Bachelor’s Degree in marketing and currently acquiring my Master’s in graphic design. I’m trained in the use of Microsoft Excel, Photoshop, Lightroom, Final Cut Pro X, Python, R, and SQL. If anyone has any opportunities available please feel free to reach out! I’ve always hoped for a career revolving around outdoor recreation and or skiing. I’m willing to make a lateral shift for an entry level position (FULL DISCLOSURE. I’ll work my ass off). Thanks, let me know!🤝
Check k2sports.com for job listings. K2 owns a bunch of brands so there is usually SOMETHING up on there that is applicable if you're looking to hop into the outdoor/ski/snow industry. That is what I did and it worked out. All of the applications get looked at by the person who is looking to hire for their department and I can honestly tell you that they don't just get lost in a black hole. K2 is great about paying attention to the applications.
Another website that is great to check is malakye.com. It is a job posting site that focuses on the skate, surf, snow, outdoor and lifestyle industries. This is a great place to look and see if places are hiring and kind of a one stop shop for what is out there. When you find a job or jobs that look good you can apply on malakye.com directly but I would personally dig a bit deeper and go directly to the company that is looking to hire. Go to the particular companies website, dig around a bit, they usually have a careers page somewhere on there and then apply directly through there. I have always had much better luck bypassing the "career" websites and going straight to the company.
but as others have said don’t be scared to start at the bottom you can always work up
I started in a ski shop back in 04. I worked my way up as a boot fitter and eventually got to know the local sales reps. Eventually I started helping out the local k2 rep at demos etc and then moved up to be his sub rep. This introduced me to the guys at k2 head office so when I applied for my current position they already somewhat knew me.
it did take me 16 years to get here though so it can take time haha. You will certainly know if you love the industry if you can accept the less than great pay for a while
bradwaltersCheck k2sports.com for job listings. K2 owns a bunch of brands so there is usually SOMETHING up on there that is applicable if you're looking to hop into the outdoor/ski/snow industry. That is what I did and it worked out. All of the applications get looked at by the person who is looking to hire for their department and I can honestly tell you that they don't just get lost in a black hole. K2 is great about paying attention to the applications.
Another website that is great to check is malakye.com. It is a job posting site that focuses on the skate, surf, snow, outdoor and lifestyle industries. This is a great place to look and see if places are hiring and kind of a one stop shop for what is out there. When you find a job or jobs that look good you can apply on malakye.com directly but I would personally dig a bit deeper and go directly to the company that is looking to hire. Go to the particular companies website, dig around a bit, they usually have a careers page somewhere on there and then apply directly through there. I have always had much better luck bypassing the "career" websites and going straight to the company.
Oh yeah forgot to mention I did also work for this great site too! I wrote reviews and that also got me in the sights of a few brands. This site and the fact anyone can submit content is awesome and people do take notice!
tomPietrowskiOh yeah forgot to mention I did also work for this great site too! I wrote reviews and that also got me in the sights of a few brands. This site and the fact anyone can submit content is awesome and people do take notice!
I also forgot to mention this and Tom brings up a good point. Ending up at your favorite ski company can take some side steps in order to get to that job. I definitely downplayed it by saying "just apply through the website" and want to say that a lot went in to making that approach possible.
Lots of jobs before, lots of figuring things out, lots of just everything to make things work out when it was finally time to try working for K2.
Basically, don't be afraid of the little jobs, the odd jobs, the internships, or whatever in order to get better at who you are as a working professional and working in ski/outdoor. Don't be too afraid to bob and weave through your career in order to accomplish what you want in the end.
tomPietrowskiOh yeah forgot to mention I did also work for this great site too! I wrote reviews and that also got me in the sights of a few brands. This site and the fact anyone can submit content is awesome and people do take notice!
So can the average shitposter get noticed or do I need to start writing articles on here?
.nastyDon’t be afraid to go more entry level, too. A lot of friends I know that work for brands in the industry started out as regular ol ski shop employees. A lot of ski industry jobs are word of mouth hirings so they can keep it more tight knit. Good luck, follow the passion, it has worked for me!
Indeed retail is a fire way to get into the ski industry!!!!
bradwaltersI also forgot to mention this and Tom brings up a good point. Ending up at your favorite ski company can take some side steps in order to get to that job. I definitely downplayed it by saying "just apply through the website" and want to say that a lot went in to making that approach possible.
Lots of jobs before, lots of figuring things out, lots of just everything to make things work out when it was finally time to try working for K2.
Basically, don't be afraid of the little jobs, the odd jobs, the internships, or whatever in order to get better at who you are as a working professional and working in ski/outdoor. Don't be too afraid to bob and weave through your career in order to accomplish what you want in the end.
Cant emphasize this enough. I wouldn't be working for the brand I do, without alot of time, alot of free "Yeah I'll help you out" with reps, and alot of time in a shop.
b0ssDifferent careers offers different types of skiing.
Evening shift restauant workers ski the most and decent money.
On mountain jobs get you ski time but the biggest perk is free pass.
Trade school is a great option for long term. Work ass off be plumber and only ski 15 days a year but 7 of those you are heli skiing.
College (no debt, good degree and luck) you get a white collar 9-5. You ski maybe 8 days a year but you spend 10k everytime you go. But your body becomes so smuchymuscle smuchybones because of vending machine snacks .
Good luck. Skiing is the biggest good ol boys club out there but it's not to say it's not doable. It's just who you know (and blow lol)
Put that degree to use in an marketing department or something
**This post was edited on Sep 8th 2021 at 4:15:33pm
