Jobs That Get You Out and About

Some of us simply aren’t built to work in offices – to wear suits and ties, sit in cubicles and stare at a computer screen all day. Take Bear Grylls or Steve Irwin, for instance. Imagining either of these blokes sitting in suits in a conference room discussing the latest monthly stats is comical to the point of being ludicrous.

So if you, like Bear and Steve, crave fresh air and sunlight and can’t fathom working for days on end cooped up under fluorescent lights, then here are a few career paths for you to consider.

Photography

Photography is a career path that can literally take you anywhere, from the embattled Gaza Strip or sandy deserts of Afghanistan to the bright lights of Milan’s Fashion Week. If you love seeing the world through a lens and hate the idea of being chained to a desk then becoming a professional photographer will suit you down to the ground. Check out our photography courses to help develop your photographic skills – and start shooting!

Health and fitness

The health and fitness industry is a broad sector that’ll give you plenty of opportunities to work outside – and you certainly won’t be sitting on a chair all day. Whether you choose to train elite athletes, run your own surf squad or boot camp, or design exercise regimes for people with health issues, fresh air and early morning starts come with the territory.

If you want to work in the allied health sector and become a physiotherapist, recreational therapist or exercise physiologist, then a bachelor degree is the minimum requirement, while becoming a fitness instructor or personal trainer only requires a certificate or diploma in fitness. See our range of fitness courses.

Building and construction

Whether you’re a carpenter or a site foreman, working in the building and construction industry can mean a lot of sweat and elbow grease, but plenty of sunshine and physical activity. If you love the idea of building something from the ground up and are good with your hands, then it’s well worth considering a job in this sector. The hard yakka guarantees you a decent wage and natural fitness – without having to join the gym.

You can get a certificate or diploma in building and construction through online study.

Zoology and animal science

Misunderstood by many as a ‘course that teaches you how to work at zoos’, zoology is actually the science of studying animals and their natural habitats. So naturally (pun intended), it’s a field of work that can often take you into the wild. It could mean anything from going out bush to help observe and protect threatened koala populations to swimming through the Great Barrier Reef to study endangered marine turtles or prowling along the borders of Western Africa to protect endangered rhinos from poachers,.

Animal science is another possibility if you have a passion for working with domestic or farm animals. All you’ll need to embark on your animal-focused career is a Bachelor of Animal Science or Bachelor of Zoology.

Engineering

Becoming an engineer means you can work in a number of different disciplines, from mining and construction to aeronautical and civil engineering. While you will spend some time in an office and in front of a computer, engineers are frequently required to do site visits as part of their job. This will vary depending on what type of engineer you become. For instance, a civil engineer will go out to building sites such as dams, bridges or roads.

Does this sound like just the thing for you? Then consider studying a Bachelor of Engineering online.

Agriculture and rural science

If you think studying agriculture is just about becoming a farmer, then think again. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry that is crucial to Australia’s economy, generating around $43 billion in gross value every year. So if you have a passion for the land, this is the perfect career path for you. Jobs can range from being an agronomist, a role that involves breeding plants to produce the best possible crops each season, to being the manager of a vineyard. We have a range of agriculture and rural science courses that will get you working in this important field.

Travel and tourism

If you like the idea of kayaking along the Milford Sound or giving a food tour of Bangkok’s street markets as a ‘day at the office’, then consider a career in travel and tourism. Don’t limit yourself to thinking it’ll just involve being a tour guide. You could combine any number of skills you already have, so why not teach Japanese tourists how to surf at Bondi? Or travel to exotic locales while writing for Lonely Planet?

The Defence Force

Whether you decide to join the Army, Air Force or Navy, a job in the Defence Force guarantees you time outdoors and abroad as well. Regardless of what position you hold, when you first join up basic training (think drills, weapons, and outdoor and physical training) is mandatory. If this isn’t enough to feed your thirst for action then make sure you join the combat corps of each unit.

It’s time to get off your chair and out of the office! See our full range of online courses that can take you anywhere you want.