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cal_gundert05
Nov 11, 2005, 12:15 AM
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The thread about climbing internships led me to wonder if anyone works in the climbing industry (be it in guiding, product manufacturing, gear shops, whatever). If so, what educational background do you have?
3-day weekend, woo-hoo!
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coreyr
Nov 11, 2005, 1:10 AM
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I guide for Rainer mountaineering. I love it! I've been guiding with them for 2 years now. I work with a great group of people. They have a 2 day tryout for apprentice guide positions in May. As far as background to work there. You have to know your stuff and be personable.
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gonz
Nov 11, 2005, 6:51 AM
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I used to work in several facets of the industry. If you're thinking about working in the business/office side, then a degree or education in anything from business/econ/management to marketing may be helpful. The guy who started Nicros has, I believe, a degree in chemical engineering and used to work for 3M. Companies that sell/design/or produce climbing related goods would most likely love to get someone who loves the sport and actually has formal education in one of the above disciplines.
Or if you're thinking about guiding or running a gym or rigging, then experience is your best asset. Being a really good climbing doesn't even come close to making you a good guide. Experience, safety, and people skills are what's important.
Mostly what will help you is to learn about all kinds of obscure climbing areas, and memorize the names and key beta on hard climbs so you can spray and look like you know what you're talking about. :wink:
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anykineclimb
Nov 11, 2005, 6:54 PM
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In reply to: I guide for Rainer mountaineering. I love it! I've been guiding with them for 2 years now. I work with a great group of people. They have a 2 day tryout for apprentice guide positions in May. As far as background to work there. You have to know your stuff and be personable.
SO hows the pay for RMI?
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lordshockspeare
Nov 11, 2005, 7:21 PM
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I resoled climbing shoes for a spell.
It was pretty fun. You need to have a fair amount of technical skill and precision. The hard part of the business is advertising, attracting clients, keeping people happy, all the general things of make a small buisness functional. Thankfully I didnīt have to deal with all that,
It was a sweet deal for me because basically now I have a shoe sponsorship while being an average climber, now I just fix my shoes whenever I need to! :)
This job was far more interesting than working in a climbing gym, mainly because I only delt with actual climbers, hikers and skiers. Where as in a climbing gym you have to deal with all those regular people, families, kids, birthday parties, gym rats etc.
good luck
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noshoesnoshirt
Nov 11, 2005, 7:32 PM
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Oops. I thought you meant the porn industry.
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canrocker
Nov 11, 2005, 7:35 PM
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I'm in the dirtbag industry, does that count? :lol:
Education: 4 years at School of Hard Knocks...
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climbsomething
Nov 11, 2005, 7:54 PM
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I am, among other things, a climbing writer. My degree and experience in journalism have proven essential.
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cfnubbler
Nov 11, 2005, 7:55 PM
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Over the years, I've worked in a bunch of different areas of the climbing industry. I've been a rep, a marketing director for a major climbing manufacturer, guided a bunch in various areas of the country, worked as an Outward Bound instructor, and now direct a college-based outdoor education program with a significant rock, ice, and alpine climbing component.
My education consists of a BA in Sociology, an MA in Outdoor Ed., and AMGA training courses, plus about 18 years of personal mileage in the hills with partners (good and bad) who have taught me much of what I know. It's that last bit that I've found most valuable.
-Nubbler
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areuinclimber
Nov 11, 2005, 8:30 PM
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what i've found out from numerous friends in the industry is this: you really dont NEED college (im sure it helps though). most of the lower division people (like booth monkeys at the OR show) got there thru friends. some of the upper division people (like product managers, designers...etc. started as booth monkeys). essentially, if you know your shit and meet or know the right people you can easily get into the climbing industry.
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cal_gundert05
Nov 11, 2005, 8:46 PM
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In reply to: what i've found out from numerous friends in the industry is this: you really dont NEED college (im sure it helps though). most of the lower division people (like booth monkeys at the OR show) got there thru friends. some of the upper division people (like product managers, designers...etc. started as booth monkeys). essentially, if you know your s--- and meet or know the right people you can easily get into the climbing industry.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I wasn't really looking to get into the industry, though. But you never know. I'm a freshman at Cal majoring in Math, so I guess that could translate to a job in hardware design or something if I want it. I read that the guy who designed the Metolius SuperCam was a physics major at Stan-turd.
:)
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