Careers in outdoor recreation and leadership event to be held March 1

The University of Maine Outdoor Leadership program and Career Center are sponsoring a job fair and panel discussions for students interested in careers in the outdoors on Tuesday, March 1 at the Memorial Union.

Maine’s outdoor industries generate about $3 billion in economic activity, according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis. Created in 2019, UMaine’s Outdoor Leadership program, part of the College of Education and Human Development, uses the state’s wilderness as both classroom and teacher to prepare students for jobs and careers in the outdoors.

More than 20 organizations and businesses in the outdoor recreation, education, tourism and other fields will have tables at the job fair, taking place from noon–4 p.m. in the Memorial Union’s North Pod.

The panel discussions will take place from 1–1:45 p.m. in the Lown Room. UMaine lecturer in outdoor leadership Lauren Jacobs will moderate a panel featuring conservation law enforcement officials from Baxter State Park, the Maine Warden’s Service, Maine Marine Patrol, the Maine Forest Service and Acadia National Park.

Maine Outdoor Brands executive director Jenny Kordick will moderate a discussion on career paths in outdoor industries from 2–2:45 p.m. That panel will have employees of companies that are members of Maine Outdoor Brands, including Garmin International, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, She Summits Co. and L.L. Bean.

A livestream will be available. For more information, or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Lauren Jacobs, lauren.jacobs@maine.edu.