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Adventure is a field wide open

Adventure or outdoors is a field wide open in terms of job opportunities. Ritu Law, Associate, iDiscoveri, is a qualified outdoor expert who specialises in outdoor experiential learning programmes for the youth. Here, she outlines the work prospects for those with wanderlust.

What is the scope for a career in adventure, especially for women?

A career in outdoor/ adventure sports is becoming increasingly popular. India has opened up to it much later than the West, but certainly there is a growing trend among women to get into this profession. Earlier, the options didn’t exist or were limited, but now with people consciously taking up outdoor activities, its prospects as a profession have increased. In any case, boundaries between male and female domains are blurring, and adventure is no exception. The key requirements are inclination, determination and physical fitness.

What kind of formal training is required for this line?

To work as an outdoor professional, one needs to acquire skills in various mountaineering disciplines like rock craft, ice craft, snow craft, skiing etc. These can be obtained from different mountaineering institutes in the country. Thee Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) Uttarkashi, the Directorate for Mountaineering & Allied Sports (DMAS), Manali, and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling, are the nationally recognised government institutions where extensive one-month courses in this field are conducted.

What is the skill set needed by outdoor professionals?

Outdoors require great mind-body coordination. Grit and commitment are some of the must-have qualities. But physical fitness combined with mental agility and a strong sense of alertness is the key to success here. Over and above that, there has to be a passion and love for the outdoors to be able to take others through that experience. That can only come with personal involvement in the experience.

What kinds of jobs can one take up in the field of adventure?

Various organisations today recruit people who are outdoor professionals. In fact, more and more schools today are hiring outdoor professionals since they are now becoming increasingly aware of the importance of adventure in their curriculum. Outdoor learning organisations as well as adventure tour operators (inbound as well) also provide opportunities to work in this area. One can lead/guide/escort inbound trekking and other expeditions in the Himalayas. Besides, institutes such as the NIM, HMI and DMAS hire instructors to teach students.

How paying is it to work in this field?

To begin with, freshers are paid between Rs 300-500 per day and more experienced professionals earn between Rs 600-1500 per day. Some big companies do pay between Rs 3000-4000 a day, but that is more an exception than a rule. 

— Chetna Keer Banerjee