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The hidden turmoil: Females achieving longevity in the outdoor learning profession

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Abstract

Being a woman in the outdoor learning profession can bring distinctive challenges and roadblocks. Even more difficult is sustaining a life-long career, flourishing into a woman’s 50s or 60s. Based on this premise, career longevity seems elusive for some women who aspire to work in the outdoors. This paper analyses the autobiographies of three experienced Australian female outdoor educators who have successfully navigated careers in the outdoor profession. Four key emergent themes were identified in the women’s life histories that included: orientation towards the outdoors; decisions and motivations for entering the field; career opportunities; and challenges. Their narratives exemplify the accomplishments of women with distinguished careers in the outdoor profession and highlight various manifestations of burnout. Finally, the findings shed light upon factors that allow women to achieve career longevity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Youthworks, Australia

    Michelle Wright

  2. University of Western Sydney, Australia

    Tonia Gray

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  1. Michelle Wright
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  2. Tonia Gray
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Correspondence to Michelle Wright.

Additional information

Michelle Wright has 9 years experience involved in Outdoor Education with Youthworks Outdoors and during this time she has held leadership roles in programing and training. Her area of professional involvement and interest has been the use of experiential education and adventure based programs with school groups. More recently, Michelle has been involved as a Vocational Trainer in the design, delivery and assessment of the NSW Outdoor Recreation Qualification with Youthworks in Australia and internationally. She returned to study at The University of Wollongong to broaden her theoretical knowledge of experiential education, and to learn skills necessary to be more effective in training future outdoor guides. Michelle has a passion for creating learning experiences that embody spiritual development, seeing young women in outdoor pursuits, and expanding individual’s understanding of the world around them.

Tonia Gray is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Educational Research at the University of Western Sydney and is a Specialist in Secondary Pedagogy and Learning. Her research interests include: eco-pedagogy, human-nature relationships, and reflection and experiential learning in a variety of educational settings. Although no longer directly involved with designing or implementing outdoor expeditions at the coalface, Tonia remains committed to infusing nature-based philosophies into mainstream tertiary educational practices.

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Wright, M., Gray, T. The hidden turmoil: Females achieving longevity in the outdoor learning profession. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education 16, 12–23 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03400942

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