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Is it worth getting any sort of degree when I really just want to become AMGA certified and guide?

Hi,
I am really passionate about the outdoors and getting people outside. I'm experienced in rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, caving, and skiing.

I really would like to become AMGA certified and continue to guide and even get paid for it. I feel a lot of pressure to go back to school for something like marketing, but if that's not what I want to do is it even worth it?

Would having a degree really make that much of a difference?

#AMGA #mountaineering #rock-climbing #guiding #college

amga guiding mountaineering rock-climbing
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Ken’s Answer

The important thing is for you to follow your heart. A good first step is to talk to those who are doing what you think that you want to do and follow their suggestions. Another good step is to take an interest and aptitude test to determine if you truly have the personality traits that match those of people who are doing that kind of work. Here are two links that will help you along the way. When I was doing college recruiting, I encountered too many students who skipped these steps and ended up in a career area for which they were ill suited. College is not for everyone. The proper and comfortable and suitable career area is.

Ken recommends the following next steps:

Should You Go To College ## https://medium.com/the-mission/high-school-is-over-should-you-go-to-college-b5b6db6f6712 ## My Biggest Regret: Going to College ## https://medium.com/the-mission/my-biggest-regret-in-life-going-to-college-ef2068f179cf ##
Here are some good tips on how to get helpful information about your career and work area of interest: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ## Best of luck! Be true to yourself. The feeling and concept of success is yours - and is very personal. Let me know if this is of help.
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Annie’s Answer

There’s definitely a lot to be said for a college degree but I would do some exploiting and see what the options are for something closer to what you’re interested in. A degree in marketing or something similar could be helpful in the long run but not if you’re miserable, hate every minute of the experience, and spend a ton of money on a degree you don’t event want. The field of outdoor recreation is constantly expanding and becoming more professional all the time. There are even community colleges that offer a degree in experiential learning, outdoor education, and the like. For example, Montreat College and Warren Wilson College offer and Outdoor Education and Outdoor Leadership respectively. Additionally, if you haven’t already joined some related professional organizations as a student that’s a great way to gain access to advice from people who have been exactly where you are.


It’s awesome that you have a passion and you should follow it but it doesn’t have to be an either/or proposition when it comes to getting a degree if you don’t want it to be!

Annie recommends the following next steps:

Check out some degree programs related to the work you’re interested in.
Join a professional association or two as a student member and start asking questions of other members and on message boards. These organizations also tend to have resources and career advice that are sometimes only available to members.
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