Changing Jobs

Own what you are good at

Take the time to look back through your career and seek out those moments that have brought you joy and satisfaction in your work. Identify what really matters to you in where you work and how you work - what are the values that you are naturally motivated towards? Be honest about the skills and strengths you have.

• Know your work values - what you want in a job
• Review this checklist to identify your transferable skills<
• Complete this Skills Health Check from the National Careers Service
• Discover your best qualities with the VIA scientific survey of character strengths

Your best foot forward

The outdoor sector has a wide range of full-time, part role and voluntary opportunities and you can make your own career path in the outdoors and move upwards, sideways and all ways to keep your career moving forward. What areas of outdoor learning do you have experience in? Where are your interests and energy?

• Look at the Sector Organisations map to decide where would you might like to work next.
• Check out the Outdoor Workforce map to explore the range of job options including instruction, teaching, management, safety, sales and sports performance.
• Work through the IOL 7 Steps to CPD with an APIOL or LPIOL Coach to help you to work out where you are now, where you want to go next, and how you can get there.
• Look at the IOL Jobs Board to check out all the current opportunities.
• Read the career stories from a wide range of fellow professionals in Outdoor Learning.

Jump into something new

We know many employers highly value the transferable work skills (like planning, motivating others, communicating, taking responsibility, can-do attitude, etc.) that people from outdoor learning bring to new careers. We would be sad to see you go, but we do know that the experiences and positive impact you have had on other peoples lives can last a lifetime. The world is your oyster, however some possibilities are teaching, lecturing, leisure & recreation management, paramedic or joining the uniformed services.

• National Careers Service Job Profiles - Choose from over 800 career profiles to discover what each job involves.
• Explore Careers from Skills Development Scotland - over 600 job profiles.
• 8 steps to take towards changing your career from Careers Wales.

Can I work for myself? Absolutely. Many people work freelance and some run their own business providing outdoor learning experiences direct to clients on a part-time or full-time basis.

• The Freelance Co-operative provides professional networking, guidance, mentoring, support and representation for the Freelance Outdoor Learning Community.
• Get help and advice on starting a new business from National Enterprise Network in England; Business Gateway in Scotland; Business Wales

Is now the time?

Further education or training can be a fantastic way to follow your passion and academic interest in a subject and stand out to potential employers. Whether it's an instructing, coaching or guiding award, or a professional qualification, an undergraduate, masters or doctorate, continuing your study and learning can be a rewarding investment that opens new career options.

• IOL Approved Higher Education Course Listings
• IOL Training and Education Guide with Links to Outdoor Sports Governing / Awarding Bodies
• IOL Accredited Training and CPD Courses
• Explore your study options, apply to university, and more at UCAS
• Research possibilities with the Complete University Guide Course Chooser

Handling Change

Sometimes being on the receiving end of major change such as mergers, redundancies, re-structuring or new working practices can push people into finding a new career or job. Each person will react differently according to their own situation and emotions and thoughts might include relief, resentment, or disappointment as well as motivation, freedom and empowerment. Take the time you need to plan your next moves starting with some of the sources of guidance and advice below.

For Employees

• Government Guidance: Redundancy: help finding work and claiming benefits
• Redundancy Help from Skills Development Scotland
• Options after Redundancy from Careers Wales
• Redundancy Support and Advice from Northern Ireland Direct
• Redundancy Help from MoneySavingExpert
• Citizens Advice on Leaving a Job

For Employers

• ACAS Guidance on Managing Change
• NCVO Guidance on Restructuring and Redundancy
• Redundancy Process Advice from Croner
• Redundancy Audio Clips from Real Employment Law Advice