I'm curious to know what some of you have done in regards to thru hiking and getting a job, particuarly those who graduated college and thru hiked right after.

I'm supposed to graduate in May, and like many others, this is the best time for me to do a thru hike or at least a long section hike. The problem is, my family expects me to have a job right after I graduate or a least have one lined up.

Interviews at school are already starting and I'm not really sure what to do about my situation. What have you guys done? Can I really say "I graduate in May but I can't start until August or October b/c I'm going hiking for 5 months"? I know others have done it so I'm looking to find out how you approached the situation with employers. Or did you wait until afterwards?

Thanks,

MTS

Have fun while you can. Now is the time. Once you get tied down w/ a job...who knows after that. If the family is so worried tell them to pick up an extra job just in case you need some money.

Do what feels right,I did many times. I am 47 years old and have made many good/bad choices. I still do not know what I want to do when I get older.:-?

Having never thru-hiked, I'm far from knowing anything about this. But I believe most employers see life-experience as an asset.

I would wait (if you can) to do interviews when you get back, and you can tell the interviewer what you did the months inbetween graduating and interviewing for jobs.

I don't know what field you're planning on going into... some fields may be more fickle than others.

I'd hire a thru-hiker. :)

I'm curious to know what some of you have done in regards to thru hiking and getting a job, particuarly those who graduated college and thru hiked right after.

I'm supposed to graduate in May, and like many others, this is the best time for me to do a thru hike or at least a long section hike. The problem is, my family expects me to have a job right after I graduate or a least have one lined up.

Interviews at school are already starting and I'm not really sure what to do about my situation. What have you guys done? Can I really say "I graduate in May but I can't start until August or October b/c I'm going hiking for 5 months"? I know others have done it so I'm looking to find out how you approached the situation with employers. Or did you wait until afterwards?

Thanks,

MTSI have to say also that I have not thru-hiked yet either. However, this is a very complicated question. Only you would have the answer. There are many variables, such as: Do you owe a lot for loans,do you have the available funds for gear and to hike,it costs a lot of money to do a thru-hike in a non-rushed way. Do you have other bills, such as rent, car payment, insurance. What is your field.Are you going to be in demand where you can just shirk these job offers and return 5 or 6 months later to recruiters who want you so bad they will even toss in the free BMW? Only you can answer these questions. The job market is bad right now. Remember that you are right to do a AT thru-hike when you are still young and strong, but many on the AT have waited years and years for the chance to thru-hike. They have raised families, paid off homes, worked till retirement, etc...your job opportunities may disappear after a short while after graduation. This could be the wrong thing to do. Only you know your situation.

I am an accounting major, and from what everyone tells me, I won't have any trouble finding a job. I do not owe any loans. I have car insurrance to pay for as well as other expenses, but for the most part I can save up money for a thru hike.

This is definitly the right time for me to do something like this. I know myself, and if I keep saying I'll do it later then it will never happen.

Depends on field again, of course. Your situation's variables are entirely unique. If 'interviews' are starting now you are either in a very niche field (like zoologists that study the behavior of lemurs in captivity...) or in a high demand field (accounting or some sort of business mumbo jumbo or engineering or who knows.. anyways..). If the former, investigate thoroughly, the latter, less worry.

To gather more information about the external aspect (job - not your family, loans, desires) Personally I'd speak with one of your professors who teaches the 'subject matter' that corresponds closest to your field of major - get a contact person in the industry/field from them, or contact one of these companies HR people and run it past them I suppose - you can crouch your hike in whatever terms you'd imagine having completed the trail would imbue/highlight in your personality (dedication, commitment, perseverance in the face of great difficulty/challenge, adaptability, long term goal keeping, etc) so you don't sound looney just to say you 'want to be in the woods for 5 months...'.

or you don't have to say you are going hiking but can say you have a temporary commitment until the previous fall / you need to take care of family things / etc - you can make it vague, yet express great interest in their company.

okay dude just saw your post. by all means i'd say do it with that field!!

And for your car, while you hike if you store it in your parents drive way or something you can just have an extremely basic level of coverage if nobody is driving it and pay either nothing or maybe $10-20 a month to keep it covered if someone slammed into it drunk off the street or a tree fell on it...

I am an accounting major, and from what everyone tells me, I won't have any trouble finding a job. I do not owe any loans. I have car insurrance to pay for as well as other expenses, but for the most part I can save up money for a thru hike.

This is definitly the right time for me to do something like this. I know myself, and if I keep saying I'll do it later then it will never happen.I believe I was reading in the paper recently that accountants are very much in demand. Not saying accounting, but I learned that sometimes people go to college, and then by the time they finish,there is no demand anymore for their chosen field. Jobs are being outsourced,etc... and it is a more challenging world today. It sounds as if you are in a position to just go for it. As you say, if you put it off then who knows. Whatever you choose, good luck to you.

I had the opportunity to thru-hike after graduation but passed it up for a job. I never could find the time afterwards. Years later I still regret that decision. Each March the regret really sets in. Well...maybe after retirement. I say...do it now.

When our daughter finished graduate school, she told prospective employees that she would not start until the fall, in order to do a long distance trip over the summer.

Based on that, just be up front during the interview process.

I think that it is a reasonable gap in the resume. Interviews are always good experience. I wonder, though, if it is best to make a decision on a job when you get back. Thru hikes tend to change ones perspective. I also wonder if it is best to say "I will be thru hiking" or "I have a personal commitment". It hard to say, but definately take the time while you can. You can satisfy your family with a job, easily; a career will take more effort.

This is a good thread. We need to hear more from the business side.

You'll be working for the rest of your life, it can wait. Hit the trail else you'll regret it.

Im in the exact same situation, except ive already graduated. Im planning a late feb. or early march start, and have been interviewing and what not to get my foot in the door and get some experience with that. I am in the Geology/environmental field and the market is terrible, so i decided to get a temp jon and walk the green tunnel. Hopefully the market will be better when i return. Best wishes and good luck with your decision.

Roll the dice. The US economy sucks at the moment, and I don't see it getting better any time soon. How should that affect your plans? Who knows?

I can't imagine an employer offering a job to start six months from now, unless you're a superstar with a golden resume. They can't see into the future any better than you can. There's no incentive for them to "lock in" an unknown, especially with the market in such a shaky condition.

I quit my job in March 1990 in order to thru-hike. By June I was off the trail, and I took the rest of the summer off. Around September I started looking around, and by February or so, I started getting serious job offers. That was during a mild recession. I'm guessing the one we're up against now will be longer and deeper.

I actually think it will add something to your resume. I hire people for jobs that do not start right away and as long as that was on the table from the start (and not made an issue at the time of the offer) it would not matter. I agree that most folks hire for opening that exist immenently though. Fresh out of college with a hike is, to me, better than fresh out of college with no "interesting" life experience. And it is so true that there probably won't be a better time than now!

Roll the dice. The US economy sucks at the moment, and I don't see it getting better any time soon. How should that affect your plans? Who knows?

I can't imagine an employer offering a job to start six months from now, unless you're a superstar with a golden resume. They can't see into the future any better than you can. There's no incentive for them to "lock in" an unknown, especially with the market in such a shaky condition.

I quit my job in March 1990 in order to thru-hike. By June I was off the trail, and I took the rest of the summer off. Around September I started looking around, and by February or so, I started getting serious job offers. That was during a mild recession. I'm guessing the one we're up against now will be longer and deeper.

Yea, the bad thing about the recession this time is it's in the dollar and real estate, this is like cancer in the lymph nodes.

First off, don't pay attention to what your family says. It's your life.

What worked for me was getting a job in November and asking if I could start in July, giving me 2 months for a long section hike. Most won't hire that far in advance, but I got lucky.

Do the hike, I did pretty much the same thing, and some recruiters called me BECAUSE I had the AT on my resume. It is definitely something to set you apart from other interviewees.

One of my friends is an accountant and the firm he works for didn't have him start until sometime in October even though he interviewed for the job in early spring (before graduating). From what I understand in that field, starting in the fall gives you enough training time to get ready for the busy tax season. I think you'll be ok. go for it

I'm quitting my job next spring to thru-hike, so I am sort of in the same boat as you. Only I have a bit of work experience to work off of when I start interviewing again after the hike. My field can also be quite flaky (software engineering)

Thanks for the responses everybody.

Right now I haven't decided exactly what I'm going to do. Either a PCT hike, which would correspond better with my graduation in May, or a southbound AT hike. (I know they are entirely different). I would rather go north on the AT, and I know I have enough time, but I absolutely can't stand the heat. On the otherhand it seems so anticlimatic ending on Springer mtn rather than Katahdin . :-?

I'd bet there are job interviews on your college campus every semester, not just this semester. I say take a hike and then check with the college to see when and what interviews will be held when you return.

I'd bet there are job interviews on your college campus every semester, not just this semester. I say take a hike and then check with the college to see when and what interviews will be held when you return.

Yeah, they do it every year. At least since I've been here. Our accounting department does a good job of getting many of the CPA firms and corporate accounting departments to come in and interview. As crazy as it may sound, they really are hiring right now for spring and summer graduates. It won't hurt for me to interview though.

I'm curious to know what some of you have done in regards to thru hiking and getting a job, particuarly those who graduated college and thru hiked right after.

I'm supposed to graduate in May, and like many others, this is the best time for me to do a thru hike or at least a long section hike. The problem is, my family expects me to have a job right after I graduate or a least have one lined up.

Interviews at school are already starting and I'm not really sure what to do about my situation. What have you guys done? Can I really say "I graduate in May but I can't start until August or October b/c I'm going hiking for 5 months"? I know others have done it so I'm looking to find out how you approached the situation with employers. Or did you wait until afterwards?

Thanks,

MTS


We purposefully graduated in December, left for the AT 1 Feb and had jobs lined up to start in August.

As for your situation, just tell your employer your start date. They do not need to know why it is 5 mos. out. If they do not accept that, then you have a decision to make.

Do the hike. I'm graduating next spring, and I am not in the least bit worried about finding a job right off the bat. I'm selling my car, cutting off the cellular device while I'm gone, and I have no college loans. I figure if a company can't see the value in someone who tested themselves physically and mentally for 5 months then I don't really want to work for them anyways. Big business and big paychecks are nice, but the way I look at it is, I'm not married or engaged, the only person that is effected by my immediate decisions is myself. If I was to put off hiking and go to work and a year later died in a car accident or some other tragic event, what would I have rather done before I died? You've put in 16 years worth of schooling and work. Would 5 months off to hike and enjoy life be a selfish decision, or would you rather do the safe thing and spend the next 5 months checking decimal points on TPS reports. Oh and don't forget the cover sheet.

A thru hike is similar to boot camp. If you commit and finish you'll hone skills in discipline, tenacity, persistence, troubleshooting, survival, climatology, human interaction, goal setting, resource management, etc., etc., etc. I was a Senior Manager in a multinational communications corporation and if I had a prospect with the skills I was looking for and learned they were going to further develop the skills in the areas I mentioned I would wait for them if I could. It can take 6 mos to get approval to hire in a huge corporation anyway, so other opportunities will come up. One last note that is important, you'll have a lot of time to think out there and it is possible you'll further define the areas in which you want to practice your craft. I'll also say in those thoughts you'll most likely also entertain doing something totally unrelated that you may like better and haven't thought of to date. That's not all bad either. Whatever the outcome, you'll be glad you made the journey and would most likely regret it if you don't. For what it's worth, I finally quit a good high paying position to enjoy life, I'd suspect you could just postpone yours a while for the same reason. Jobs are everywhere, life only happens once! My best to you mts4602

Thanks for the responses everybody.

Right now I haven't decided exactly what I'm going to do. Either a PCT hike, which would correspond better with my graduation in May, or a southbound AT hike. (I know they are entirely different). I would rather go north on the AT, and I know I have enough time, but I absolutely can't stand the heat. On the otherhand it seems so anticlimatic ending on Springer mtn rather than Katahdin . :-?

I'm always a huge cheerleader for the PCT. Not to take anything away from the AT, but if you think youll only have the opportunity to do one, I'd strongly sway to the PCT.

As far as working, it's a tough call, only you can decide. I took a semester off in college to hike and set up my life so I didn't dive into a career track the first 2-3 yrs after college. That allowed me to hike again. It's all about choices and priorities. You have your whole life to work, but this is a golden opportunity to hike. On the flipside, if there is an excellent job opportunity in this economic climate, well, that's hard to pass up these days.

Do the hike and have no regrets. It's not likely that your first job out of college is going to be your life long dream job. More likely you will have several jobs while on your career path. I don't think that I would start telling prospective employers that I can't start for 5 or 6 months because I am going to hike the AT for several reasons. First they just won't "get it". Second, living near the AT in Blairsville, I see a lot of people that have quit their jobs to hike the AT. They told all of their friends about it and then go home at before getting to Neel Gap. It wasn't what they expected, they got injured, it was too cold. Don't tout future acheivements to your prospective employer. I think that I would interview after completing the trail. It will give you time to decide what you really want in life; because believe me, it will change your life.

That's just my opinion, but I really, really really think that you should hike now and work later.

which helped bridge into more permanent work.

Also, my pre-temp *temp* job was working at EMS, since I just got off the trail and brought my direct experience and skills to the sales floor. Worked out great plus I enjoyed vicariously connecting with hikers of all kinds.

Tim

Im in a similar situation, i graduated in december and have been working the same coop/temp job that i worked while i was in college. i really want to do the AT in march. im afraid that if i ask for the time off they wont take me back. and if they dont take me back idk what im going to do because i have a degree in geography and there is not much i can do with it. they thought of turning 25 when i get back and not having any direction on a career is whats scaring me.

what im going to do because i have a degree in geography and there is not much i can do with it.

i have never understood people saying this, and i hate to hear it. wake up america!

i have never understood people saying this, and i hate to hear it. wake up america!

Yeah. Jerk engineers, medical personel, economists, tradesmen have been perpetuating these ideas for years. The problem is when the folks with the liberal arts degree accept these opinions as truth.

What does an English degree prepare you for? Everything and nothing.

Yeah. Jerk engineers, medical personel, economists, tradesmen have been perpetuating these ideas for years. The problem is when the folks with the liberal arts degree accept these opinions as truth.

What does an English degree prepare you for? Everything and nothing.

no, typically its the people with the liberal arts degree who i hear make these kinds of comments.

I'm always a huge cheerleader for the PCT. Not to take anything away from the AT, but if you think youll only have the opportunity to do one, I'd strongly sway to the PCT.

Yeah, I recently became obsessed with the PCT, and after visiting Yosemite this summer that really did it for me.

I'm curious to know what some of you have done in regards to thru hiking and getting a job, particuarly those who graduated college and thru hiked right after.

I'm supposed to graduate in May, and like many others, this is the best time for me to do a thru hike or at least a long section hike. The problem is, my family expects me to have a job right after I graduate or a least have one lined up.

Interviews at school are already starting and I'm not really sure what to do about my situation. What have you guys done? Can I really say "I graduate in May but I can't start until August or October b/c I'm going hiking for 5 months"? I know others have done it so I'm looking to find out how you approached the situation with employers. Or did you wait until afterwards?

Thanks,

MTS

Make hiking your job! I myself am just a bum but you can actually make money guiding city folks up inot the mountains, I hear. I may try it someday myself.:D

Actually, a thru hike would probably be a big advantage for a recent graduate looking for a job. Completing a thru takes enormous commitment, proper and effective planning and preparation, as well as courage. Not to mention the abilities of being self-motivated and hard working. These are all traits employers seek in employees, and having a thru hike on your resume could be a big plus. Just make sure you are adequately able to explain basic info about the trail and why you decided to take the time to hike it.

The confidence and kindness that you radiate after thru-hiking the AT will be an asset any company will value. Remember that your resume is only part of a prospective employer's evaluation - how mature you are and how well you will integrate with and hopefully add to the existing team is extremely important. Consider this: Every person that you compete with has gone to school and basically has the same resume...but you (if you thru-hike) will have something that makes you memorable in a good way to add to that - this is an advantage. Add to this a kind of "even keel" approach to challenges, great planning and logistical skills, the ability to complete large projects, seeing the good in people, and deep down knowing you are a winner instead of suspecting it...these are all attributes for success.

I'm in sales (15 years) and have earned about every award they make including my share of #1s...but to me these are just part of doing my job. They aren't accomplishments I care about that much...although it is motivating to make a few extra bucks when you exceed goals. Thru-hiking the AT, however, is something I am very proud of and even 11 years later, I am 100% thankful that I was given the opportunity in life to grow so much and have so much fun in 6 months. Being a thru-hiker is not as great as some things in life - like having an awesome child, but it will always be a big part of (my) the identity I care about.

Contrary to what every school teaches you, business is just a job... and unless it's your business, the awards you win will simply equate to more money earned in return for slogging it out day after day. Give yourself a real award - a life changer - go hike the AT!

Happy hiking!

TTF

The confidence and kindness that you radiate after thru-hiking the AT will be an asset any company will value. Remember that your resume is only part of a prospective employer's evaluation - how mature you are and how well you will integrate with and hopefully add to the existing team is extremely important. Consider this: Every person that you compete with has gone to school and basically has the same resume...but you (if you thru-hike) will have something that makes you memorable in a good way to add to that - this is an advantage. Add to this a kind of "even keel" approach to challenges, great planning and logistical skills, the ability to complete large projects, seeing the good in people, and deep down knowing you are a winner instead of suspecting it...these are all attributes for success.

I'm in sales (15 years) and have earned about every award they make including my share of #1s...but to me these are just part of doing my job. They aren't accomplishments I care about that much...although it is motivating to make a few extra bucks when you exceed goals. Thru-hiking the AT, however, is something I am very proud of and even 11 years later, I am 100% thankful that I was given the opportunity in life to grow so much and have so much fun in 6 months. Being a thru-hiker is not as great as some things in life - like having an awesome child, but it will always be a big part of (my) the identity I care about.

Contrary to what every school teaches you, business is just a job... and unless it's your business, the awards you win will simply equate to more money earned in return for slogging it out day after day. Give yourself a real award - a life changer - go hike the AT!

Happy hiking!

TTF

wow...there's a tear in my beer tonight!

Do it. Right now I am almost done saving up the cash to cover my piece of rent, car payment, insurance, thru-hike funds, etc. I should have done the hike 4 yrs ago right out of college, but I picked the fast-paced career thing...Love my job, but it could have waited 6-9 months. As a potential employer: there is a huge demand for accounting majors / there will be when you finish too, and I would certainly take a long hard look at a thru-hikers resume versus somebody with the same qualifications fresh out of school with not life experiences. Besides, think of all the challenges/experiences you will face on the trail that you can use in an interview to clearly illustrate your personality, tenacity, quick-thinking, planning, time management skills, etc....When I interviewed in college with the first company I worked for in my now career, I used the fact that I grew orchids as a prime example of my attention to detail and my dedication to my activites...it worked. At the end of the day, only you can make the right decision. I'm planning on 2010 for the AT, but like I mentioned before, I have to have a butt-load of cash saved up to pay for the things that I have to pay for now that I'm not 22...then get back and try to get a job again when done. BTW - I'm in the hotel business...MANY MANY MANY companies outside of this industry need good accountants and not too many people like to do accounting...

as a side note: You are used to being broke right now as a college student....Hike, and be broke another couple of months before getting into the rat race!

Actually, a thru hike would probably be a big advantage for a recent graduate looking for a job. Completing a thru takes enormous commitment, proper and effective planning and preparation, as well as courage. Not to mention the abilities of being self-motivated and hard working. These are all traits employers seek in employees, and having a thru hike on your resume could be a big plus. Just make sure you are adequately able to explain basic info about the trail and why you decided to take the time to hike it.It's great the majority of folks are advising to go for it, head out and follow your dream. They have the life experience and alot have faced the same situation as the poster and did just that, went out and completed sections or went on and hiked the entire trail. However, I am not sure saying that "these are all traits employer's seek in employees" and "having a thru-hike on your resume could be a big plus" is something that is absolute. Although the original poster's chosen field seems fairly "safe" as far as him being desired by employer's, there still could be a possibility that not every employer would see leaving to go on a six-month hike,and/or, a six month gap in time, in a favorable light when compared to the next candidate who is eagerly seeking employment in these hard times. Being that times have changed and there is more competition for good jobs, some employer's could even look at going to thru-hike instead of readily seeking employment in one's chosen field as someone being filled with angst, and therefore possibly unreliable, but, then again, maybe just as a young man wanting to enjoy himself one last time before taking the plunge into the workaday world.:banana

i know you're just asking how OTHER people have approached the situation, but honestly i think you've already made up your mind, simply seeking a bit more encouragement from others. you're asking a forum of trail-addicted hikers "should i hike or go to work as an accountant?" hehe the answers you've received thus far are exactly what I would have predicted.

it would be no different if you walked into an army recruiters office and said "i'm fresh out of school, and trying to make a decision... what do you think? should i join the army or be an accountant?" his response would most likely be *slightly* biased, wouldnt you think?

I, the same as everyone else, encourage you to go hike while you can. You're young, you're not burdened with financial and family responsibilities and obligations, etc... *Now is the time if you want to do it BEFORE retirement, as that may be your next opportunity!* I'm currently planning and saving for my 2010 hike, however i'm not exactly in the same boat as you. I'm still young with no wife/kids, and NEARLY debt-free, but I've already got an awesome job as an on-site IT service technician for local industry. (Off-topic Side Observation: Why is it there seems to be ALOT of computer geek/hikers out there?) I've already talk to them about it, and I'm lucky enough to work for such great people that they're giving me a leave of absence to go hike. Not everyone is that fortunate, however if I didn't have a job waiting for me when I came back, I'd go hike anyway. :)

i know you're just asking how OTHER people have approached the situation, but honestly i think you've already made up your mind, simply seeking a bit more encouragement from others. you're asking a forum of trail-addicted hikers "should i hike or go to work as an accountant?" hehe the answers you've received thus far are exactly what I would have predicted.

it would be no different if you walked into an army recruiters office and said "i'm fresh out of school, and trying to make a decision... what do you think? should i join the army or be an accountant?" his response would most likely be *slightly* biased, wouldnt you think?


You are certainly right about it being biased on here. But I really wasn't asking whether or not I should hike (although, someone saying they made a big mistake hiking right after college would be usefull to know). I was just interested in knowing how people in my situation approached getting a job (whether they had one lined up before hand, or started looking afterwards).

Everyone's responses have been extremely helpful and everyone seems satisfied with their decision. And of course it does make me feel better.

MTS

(Off-topic Side Observation: Why is it there seems to be ALOT of computer geek/hikers out there?) I resemble that remark.

Life is to short to not have fun. Don't die thinking about it die doing it. Think for yourself and Question Authority.

I'm a lawyer in a large law firm and have lots of friends who are accountants, consultants, financial associates, etc. in large corporations and firms. Based on my own experience and what I've seen from others, the start date for the job is generally between early September and early October. This allows the firm to finish with their summer interns before bringing in a big group of young accountants/consultants/associates who will need training and hand-holding. If this is the type of position you're applying for, interview now, and don't even mention the possibility of a thru-hike (although feel free to put backpacking as one of your interests on your resume). I'm guessing this is the type of position you're applying for, since these are generally the sorts of employers who interview in the fall. The only catch here would be that you would have to hike fast -- you'd only have 4 months, or maybe 5 if you find a firm/company with a particularly late start date (my law firm actually has two start dates, and you can choose whether you want to start in mid-September or mid-October).

If I'm wrong about when accounting firms start or if you think you'll be among those summitting on Oct. 15 and don't want to start until Nov., then you'll have to ask for a late start date. Here, you'll have to guage your hireability. If you're at a top school with top grades, you'll probably have no problem either negotiating a delayed start or finding a job when you get back. Personally, as someone who works in the corporate world, I think you'd have an easier time negotiating a delayed start than finding a job post-thru-hike. Although a thru-hike can be spun as a positive in a job interview, you have to be prepared for most of the corporate world to look down on the experience unless you do a *very* good job at spinning. Touring Europe or visiting all the MLB stadiums would be much more accessible to them.

However, ultimately you have to decide what you're more comfortable with. The economy is good for accountants, and if you work hard, you'll land on your feet whatever you decide. But if you don't line up a job, will you be worried about it while thru-hiking? Or, if you do line up a job, will you worry that you'll change during the thru-hike and won't want that job anymore? Essentially, you have to decide whether you prefer knowing your next move or whether you would find that constraining. And no one can decide that for you.

Just as I was about to start my AT thru-hike, I went in for an exit-interview at the company (5500 employees) where I had been working for five years. I met with the guy who was head of Human Resources.

He was convinced I was going to ski the Appalachian Trail.

See, since there was snow on the ground in Fort Wayne, Indiana where I worked I must be going to ski the Appalachian Trail.

I corrected him once and then told him I was going to be thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. But he kept coming back to thinking I was going to ski the AT. So I played along with him. Asked him what kind of skis he though I'd need and he went on to tell me all the details of what he knew about skiing. Then he went on to tell me I'd need to get some LLBean stuff too so I asked him if he knew what I might need. Oh, he goes on to recommend about 45 pounds of stuff I might need, nothing of which could be eaten with pleasure.

The exit interview lasted over an hour and the conversation of leaving the company never came up outside of skiing. When I left his office I thanked him for all the skiing advice.

Considering all the times I fell down in Georgia I should have gotten some skating advice too.

After my AT thru-hike, I took a job with a consulting company and was sent by the consulting company to talk to some folks at a company called Zimmer Corporation. A fantastic company and I worked there for most of the time I remained at the consulting company.

During the initial interview with the folks at Zimmer, we spent at least one hour talking about the Appalachian Trail since I'd listed it on my resume (answering the usual thru-hiker 20 questions and more) and about five minutes talking about the contract I was attempting to negotiate. The folks at Zimmer were thrilled and delighted to talk to someone who had actually escaped society for a while and went off and did something spectacular. Their eyes lit up about the AT in that first meeting.

The contract was landed with the Zimmer folks and it ended up being the largest contract the consulting company had ever landed. If I'd have gone in talking about the usual good-to-be-here-boy-can-I-do-you-some-good kind of sales pitch that contract would never have come to the consulting company.

Zimmer went public while I was there and the profits from my purchase of their company stock paid for my next long-term adventure.

Datto

To follow up on what Datto said, I want to qualify my earlier advice by saying that you never know what a potential employer is looking for. They may ultimately give you the job, not for your qualifications per se, but because you went to school with their son, because you were in the same sorority, because you both played tuba in the marching band in high school, or because you hiked the AT. You just never know what will catch someone's eye.

Case in point, I once gave someone an interview at my firm solely because he had "section hiking the Appalachian Trail" on his resume (obviously that would pique my interest). Then he admitted that he had only hiked "from the beginning of the trail to Helen" and that was his only backpacking trip ever and he didn't know when he'd go again. I never could figure out exactly what part of Georgia he'd hiked or why he thought that hike meant he was section hiking the trail. His grades were mediocre, he was very boring, and he didn't get the job. But if we had been able to swap AT stories for an hour, I probably would have overlooked everything else and recommended him for the job.

Anyway, that's all to say this: No one I've ever worked with has understood my interest in backpacking even for a weekend, much less an extended hike. So, generally speaking, the AT won't help you in an interview. But there's always the chance your experience will catch someone's eye and will be the only reason you get hired.

I'm curious to know what some of you have done in regards to thru hiking and getting a job, particuarly those who graduated college and thru hiked right after.

I'm supposed to graduate in May, and like many others, this is the best time for me to do a thru hike or at least a long section hike. The problem is, my family expects me to have a job right after I graduate or a least have one lined up.

Interviews at school are already starting and I'm not really sure what to do about my situation. What have you guys done? Can I really say "I graduate in May but I can't start until August or October b/c I'm going hiking for 5 months"? I know others have done it so I'm looking to find out how you approached the situation with employers. Or did you wait until afterwards?

Thanks,

MTS

MTS-

I'm an accountant and I can tell you that you will not have ANY trouble finding work in October. The only problem you may face is being offered seasonal tax work which won't start until January and will end in mid-April. Fortunately though, as a seasonal tax preparer you can make some good money, gain experience and also develop a relationship with a local firm who in turn can recommend you to a client or decide to keep you on board as part of the professional staff.

There is a difference:

Datto is an exceptionally bright, capable person, who especially excels at mid-day napping. He would likely get a good job any time or place he wants to.
Speaking on behalf of those of us who have had to run fast to be average. When your greatest position was as "king of the cheap guys" you might want to think more about the economics of a thru hike.
If you're more like the latter than the former, you should wait until your alimony/child support has ended. You should wait until you have that first regular retirement check in the bank. You should have the medical program in place that you will die with.
On the other hand, all young folks who know everything and have no responsibilities should just go do it.:-?

I will also be graduating in May '09. I plan to hike the AT in 2010, so for the time in between I am looking for an internship for 3 - 6 months. If not I will work whatever job I can get and/or return to school for a semester. Not too worried about finding a job after the trail as I am graduating with a geoscience degree, and there is a pretty big demand for them which wont go away any time soon. I do know that if I don't hike before I get a permenant job, I'll probably never do it. Life experience is just as important as work experience.

when my lease is up in august, i am seriously considering hitting the trail for all of VA. finishing school can wait a semester. i cant wait to do this and move home to Va beach and finish school!

The ideal, least disruptive way to thru-hike is to take a semester (or even a year) off while in school, so long as you can do it without incurring extra debt. I was too fixated on getting school over with, and never took any time off, not even between college and law school. I seriously regret it. When I have kids one day, I'll probably encourage them to take a year off between high school and college to pursue a dream. Once you graduate with your final degree, it only gets harder to make room in your life to hike.