Another guy approaching 30, looking for a pivot out of the NPS
I've spent the last decade having a great time. I have two degrees, have traveled a bit, you get the picture.
My trouble is that my fun was fueled by a short sighted career decision and debt. I am a botanist by training. This work enabled a lot of personal growth and cool experience, but even before Trump it was low paying and unstable (6 month contracts) with few permanent prospects.
What I'm seeking now is to make as much money as fast as possible, i.e., find something that doesn't require me to go through a multi year, costly training program + make minimum wage while I'm doing it (trades seem like a pretty bad deal given that an apprenticeship pays shit, and that to get an apprenticeship I gotta work in construction for years...). I've got a ton of outdoor experience, my professional soft qualities are very well developed, I've led work crews, been responsible for interfacing with the public and with other organizations, have participated in a bit of report writing, and have a bit of data experience (mostly GIS). If it makes any difference, I live in the PNW. My ability to move is limited due to it being seemingly impossible to pay my shit off and save before the next thing happens.
Any ideas? I'll do just about anything. The dirtier and higher paying, the better. Also worth noting that ALL of my work experience is in the field of conservation. Tough to turn it to other things.
Posted Feb 11, 2026, 10:27 PM UTC