Transitioning to office life after spending years in an active and demanding role can be rough. You're trading wide-open spaces and action for a lifestyle that puts you behind a desk using your mind, instead of both your mind and body. This change can require some adjustment.
The 5 Most Active Jobs
While former Defence contractors and Military workers may not be able to work in an athletic situation every day, you still can find employment that goes a long way toward satisfying the part of you that's always looking for action. Here are the five most active jobs for people who can't see themselves sitting behind a desk.
1. IT Field Technician
The information technology field is full of jobs that don't involve sitting at a desk, answering help desk tickets. Businesses of every kind use technology, and sometimes they can't bring that technology to a repair shop. They need someone to come to their location and repair their equipment, which can include everything from on-site servers to point-of-sale checkout units. Some positions involve working in a team environment, with team members sharing knowledge of each other's duties. Jobs in this field sometimes require regional or national travel and can have you on the road as much as a few days per week. What they don't require is sitting behind a desk (except when training is involved).
Find the latest engineering jobs here.
2. Law Enforcement or Private Security
If you're coming from a Military background or simply have an interest in helping the public while upholding the law, private security and law enforcement are fields to consider. Both give priority to applicants who have prior experience handling weapons and engaging with people physically while respecting the rule of law.
Shifts are spent patrolling a property or geographical area by foot or vehicle, requiring you to exercise your skills and your body. You also work in tandem with other members who are focused on the same goals as you are. And there is upward potential toward achieving a higher rank — or even starting your own security company.
Learn more about the Defence sector here.
3. Outdoor Work
Outdoor guide work covers a variety of responsibilities. The core duties of an Outdoor Adventure Guide include helping people enjoy the outdoors while maintaining safety standards and using a buddy system for awareness. The best feature of this work is that it's always outdoors and can be done just about anywhere across the world. Depending on your skills, you could find employment in Alaska working with sled dogs, climbing mountains in Mongolia, leading horseback riders as a trail guide in South Africa, or paddling adventurers to safety as a river guide in Nicaragua.
Working outdoors does require a higher level of fitness and tolerance of weather conditions. And seasonal employment in some regions requires adjustment to not working for a few months each year or finding other work to fill in the gaps.
Here are the 10 Best Countries to Work in 2018.
4. Construction
Construction companies are always looking for reliable workers to operate equipment and perform duties on the ground. The industry has become more sophisticated due to the technology used to keep precise metrics on a project. If you have previously worked in Military jobs or Defence jobs, working with construction equipment will be an easy transition. However, you will have to get certifications to operate heavy equipment, signifying that you’re compliant with regulations.
Working in construction also means working in a team environment where workers support each other to complete the job. Some positions are seasonal, especially in a region that has rough winters. The benefit of working in construction is that you may find yourself working on different job sites throughout the year. This provides ever-changing scenery and locations, which beats working in an office and seeing the same four walls every day.
5. Lifeguard
Lifeguarding requires obtaining a CPR certification, but if you have prior experience with swimming (especially in a stressful environment or situation), you'll find it easy to get your certification. Being a lifeguard can involve working indoors or outdoors and clears a career path toward becoming a swimming instructor. The duties of a lifeguard include maintaining order on the deck and in the pool, and keeping an eye out for people in distress. If you're working outdoors, you'll frequently rotate on and off duty to avoid sunstroke or heat stroke. And because lifeguard training is universal, you can apply to work anywhere in the world, as long as you maintain your CPR certification.
These are some of the positions that are a good fit for someone who prefers an active career. The top 5 most active jobs to work in demonstrate that you don't have to sit behind a desk to earn a reasonable living and find job satisfaction. You can have the lifestyle you want without sacrificing your need to keep moving.
Not sure about which career suits you? Here are the 7 Best Jobs to Work in 2018.