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Erin Mitchell, University of West Georgia
In the spring of 2015, I stepped foot in the Outdoor Pursuits Center at Texas Tech University and soon found myself changing my career trajectory toward outdoor recreation. I went from the world of business administration to pursuing a career in educating those around me about outdoor activities and the benefits of spending time outside. Thanks to the help and guidance of David Young and Kevin Hoffman at Texas Tech, I received the opportunity to become the next Graduate Assistant of Outdoor Education at the University of West Georgia. The transition into a leadership role came with many confusing, stressful, exciting, and motivating days. However, with the help of my supervisor, Grace Andrews, I was able to get myself up on my feet and begin further exploring the possibilities of professional development within the field. Included in my possibilities for professional development were a scholarship opportunity, a new world of networking, and the importance of focusing on your next step as a professional in the outdoor industry.
By attending the AORE annual conference and preparing by applying for scholarships, I was able to take many things away from the overall experience. Due to my lack of knowledge about the outdoor industry, I went all in and applied for any possible scholarships available for graduate assistants that could provide additional experiences. At the AORE conference, I networked, gained knowledge about obscure topics, and further discovered the world of outdoor recreation and education. However, one of the most rewarding outcomes of the conference was receiving the Pro-fessional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA) Climbing Wall Instructor scholarship. Receiving this scholarship propelled my pro-fessional development in the right direction, to allow me to work toward a coordinator-level position in the next year and a half.
A Newcomer’s Perspective: The Professional Climbing Instructors Association Scholarship Awardee