So I've been on my current job hunt since the second week of December 2014, once I got it in my mind that I finally have the freedom (more on that later) to move anywhere for a job. It was that realization which got me thinking of pursuing Park Ranger positions at National Parks and similar jobs.
But first, how I got here...
Around November I somehow got inspiration to look into prosthetics and subsequently discovered that I could enter the field by taking a few prerequisites and going back to school for a few years. So I researched a lot about possible careers as well as people in the area who would possibly let me shadow them on the job and/or answer a few questions about their daily experiences. My mass email inquiry only received 2 hits, both responses referring me to someone else.
Needless to say I got discouraged.
In hopes of taking a different path but remaining closer to home, I was actually perusing through Sports Information postings to see if there was potential there for me. Didn't find many that didn't require a specific degree, and my 4 years as a student worker in the Sports Information office at my college didn't earn me experience with the stat software experience I would need to perform solo.
So I didn't pursue that path very far either.
Finally I gave USAjobs.gov a try and searched for Park Ranger jobs, thinking I'd get no search results... but there was a long list of openings all across the country. And there weren't any crazy requirements that would take forever for me to meet.
My thoughts: Holy cow I can actually do this.
Reworked my resume and cover letter, using the trusty Knock 'Em Dead books (Ultimate Job Search Guide & Cover Letters), and started sending in applications...
Now I realize at this point this post has become droned on long enough, so I will continue in another post...
