A new study reveals the challenges and rewards for those leaving conventional jobs to pursue careers as snowsport instructors. The findings shed light on the sacrifices involved and the fulfillment found in meaningful work.
In a world where flexible schedules and meaningful work are increasingly becoming the norm, a new study has highlighted both the rewards and challenges faced by people who trade conventional careers for more passionate pursuits.
Conducted over a decade, the research specifically focused on snowsport instructors in New Zealand, Japan and Canada, revealing what it means to prioritize personal growth and passion over financial stability and traditional work hours.
Marian Makkar, a senior lecturer in marketing at RMIT University, co-authored the study published in the International Journal of Research in Marketing. Makkar explained that many participants left their conventional jobs because they grew weary of monotonous routines.
“Escaping the daily grind in search of a more meaningful career was the main motivation, but it didn’t come without sacrifices,” she said in a news release. “We heard stories of financial, mental and physical sacrifice, but overwhelmingly, participants reported experiencing significant personal growth and fulfillment.”
A Different Kind of Nomad Life
While digital nomads often work to maximize leisure time, snowsport instructors embody a different ethos. Their lives involve constant travel, carrying their belongings in a minimal number of bags, and hopping from one winter season to another without a summer respite.
“Although digital nomads and snowsport instructors shared some traits, such as a pursuit to escape the ordinary, they lived different lifestyles,” added Makkar.
The Turning Point in Workforce Dynamics
Makkar’s insights come at a pivotal moment as the workforce demands a balance between flexibility and productivity.
“For employees, there’s never been a better time to demand flexibility or consider dumping nine-to-five roles for careers that are more meaningful,” Makkar added. “But it’s up to stubborn employers to embrace this shift or risk facing a productivity dive, perhaps even losing large chunks of their workforce.”
Further underscoring the importance of meaningful work, Makkar referenced research showing remote work could increase employee happiness by up to 20%. However, the profound experiences of those turning their hobbies into careers had yet to be fully explored.
“These workers are after feelings of accomplishment, a life of virtue and greater meaning in life,” Makkar added. “Happiness can be fleeting and short-lived, but hard work and setting big goals, and developing skills to get there, is what can bring long-term life satisfaction and fulfillment.”
Real-life Experiences
One participant’s reflections encapsulated the study’s core findings: “I remember at university my first management lecturer said, ‘you could go on to be a CEO, be on $300,000 a year, and have a month off every year to go skiing,’ and I said, ‘or I could go skiing every day and still afford to eat and pay my rent. It’s all I really need, isn’t it?’”
However, the lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Some participants returned to traditional jobs when they felt they had exhausted the personal growth offered by their snowsport careers. Others found the precarious working conditions, minimal wages and dependence on weather conditions unsustainable.
Despite these challenges, many still found ways to integrate their passion into a more settled lifestyle.
Ryan, a former full-time instructor, reflected, “As I’m getting a bit older, I’m more open to other things if other opportunities come around. If I could earn enough money to still go snowboarding for a bit of the year … I wouldn’t necessarily rule that out.”
Broader Implications
Makkar believes that the study’s insights extend beyond snowsport instructors and can be applied to other non-traditional careers, such as social media influencing.
“Like snowsport instructors, influencers often start with a passion and skill for a particular hobby,” she added. “But they eventually must manage the career’s demands and deal with what can be a grueling experience being an influencer entrepreneur.”
Source: RMIT University