Do you ever look longingly out of your office window and wish you could be outside?
While there are a huge variety of office jobs out there, there are also jobs that allow you get outside and feel the fresh air!
And not just roles in the construction and farming industries either!
Although the duties, locations, and salaries inevitably vary, you might find yourself a lot happier following a career which lets you get out and about.
Office work isn’t for everyone, that’s for sure.
Here are some jobs you might want to consider if working outside is a priority to you.
1. Recreation Worker
The average recreation worker earns about £20-25K and gets to work a job which basically has “fun” in the name!
“A recreation worker designs and leads leisure activities for groups in volunteer agencies or recreation facilities, such as playgrounds, parks, camps and senior centres.” Sokanu
This is a job which is great for adventurous types, as you’re likely to be teaching/supervising people in activities such as sports, arts and crafts, outdoor games, water sports, and other similar outdoor activities.
Although this kind of work sounds really fun and entertaining, it relies on your customers actually wanting to be outside.
Now, with the Great British weather patterns, that could put you out of action in certain seasons.
Not many people will want to go canoeing in winter!
Although… you could always do a ski season over the winter months, to make up for that! (That’s what I would do).
2. Landscape Architect
With an average salary of about £25-30,000, this is not a bad idea if you’re looking for a creative job where you can put your green fingers to good use.
“Landscape architects create great places. They work with the built and natural environment to create wildlife habitats, innovative spaces, install sustainable infrastructure and improve environmental quality, health and wellbeing, and create thriving communities.” Be a landscape architect.
Landscape Architects primarily design outdoor “green spaces” for private and public entities, bringing nature to people everywhere! For example, you might design park spaces, or green areas around government buildings and roads.
Most Landscape Architects these days work in the private sector, designing green spaces for parking lots, residential homes, or offices.
This job also gives you the opportunity to work for yourself, which brings its own advantages (and disadvantages).
3. Archaeologist
Archaeologists earn on average around £29-32,000 after gaining a little experience. However, at senior level, that can increase to £40,000+
Don’t worry, however, you won’t be unearthing the Ark of the Covenant any time soon – there are a lot of misconceptions regarding the role of an archaeologist.
These outdoor workers are often employed by the government, for example, when they want to construct a new road or building.
Archaeologists come to assess the land before construction begins, checking that the land has no hidden relics of human history buried beneath it.
In order to become an archaeologist, you usually have to have completed a degree in a relevant subject and you have to be relatively physically fit.
Although it’s not the most in-demand job on this list, there aren’t many jobs which come with the excitement of (possibly) discovering hidden treasures from the past!
Just make sure you’re not afraid of snakes.
To find out more, check out this Prospects Profile.
4. Environmental Scientist
With the recent cultural shift towards energy efficiency and climate change awareness, Environmental Scientists are finding themselves to be increasingly in demand.
“Environmental scientists conduct research to identify, control, or eliminate sources of pollutants or hazards affecting the environment or public health. Their research generally involves determining data collection methods; collecting and analyzing air, water, and soil samples; analyzing environmental data gathered by others; and analyzing for correlations to human activity. They also need to prepare reports and presentations that explain their findings.” EnvironmentalScience.org
Earning on average around £25,325 a year, this career is strongly influenced by experience. The more you get, the more you earn!
Not many jobs come with the level of satisfaction or importance which this one does!
To become an Environmental Scientist, you’ll need to have a 4-year degree, be physically fit, and travel to numerous locations whilst braving all kinds of weather and outdoor conditions.
5. Surveyor
The average salary of an experienced surveyor is around £46,000.
So if you’re looking for a good salary, this could be the way to go.
“A commercial/residential surveyor deals with all aspects of residential and commercial property in both the private and public sectors. Principal activities are related to the management, purchase, sale, or leasing of land and property, as well as valuing and surveying property.” Prospects
For example, you might be tasked with establishing official boundaries for land, water, and airspace.
And you would often work on things such as construction projects for homeowners, oil companies, and construction firms.
Many Surveyors are self-employed, which could be an attractive prospect if you like the idea of working for yourself and making your own decisions.
6. Mason
Masonry is by no means easy work, but you could earn a decent salary of around £40,000 after gaining experience.
Brick masons, block masons, and stone masons have some of the most demanding jobs in construction, creating walls, walkways, fences, and more.
Being a Mason is physically demanding, so you need to make sure that you’re fit enough to become a Mason before considering the career.
At the end of the day, you’ll be doing a lot of heavy lifting, and there are potentially dangerous consequences if you or one of your fellow Masons doesn’t do their job properly.
Although Masons don’t need a college degree to work in masonry, most will have to undergo an extensive apprenticeship program, which often lasts for 3 or 4 years.
And you could choose to work for a construction company – or as a contractor!
Summary
Obviously there are LOADS more jobs out there which would offer you the opportunity to work outside, for at least some of your job – but I hope these have given you some food for thought.
I myself have always loved the idea of being an archaeologist!
Before you do decide to pursue any of these careers, just make sure you do some research so you know what you’re getting yourself into!
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Good luck.
