Working In The Industry
Hey BW,
I would like to work in the skateboard and snowboard industry. I have been working in electrical retail and office jobs which aren’t really me just to pay my way. I’m an older chap, well not too old 
So I wondering who works in the industry? What’s it like? Who do you work for?
Hopefully I can work and get my graphic skills and qualification sorted so I can work in design also.
Maybe just a pipe dream but its my dream 
mate its a good to have a dream…..
i had a dream that mizu will grow some hair on that mellon head of his… but it ended up been just a dream….
mate its a good to have a dream…..
i had a dream that mizu will grow some hair on that mellon head of his… but it ended up been just a dream….
hahahah! Poor Mizu
I just wish that lanox would stop havin dreams about me!!!!!
DON’T would be my first instinct. I lived and was friends with a lot of people in the surf industry when I was younger and I don’t imagine the snow/skate industry is much better. The financial rewards are not there, those indutries rely on the cool factor to bring them a bunch of kids each year who will work for $40K a year really long hours for the cool factor. If they were in any other industry doing a similar job they would be earning over $60K. That aspect as well as the massive amount of scenesters and hipsters currently involved and pseudo nepotism and blatant unprofessionalism in the industry would have me running for the hills. I was actually offered jobs and turned them down almost as quickly.
My advice to you is to be friends with ppl that work in the industry, all the benefits and none of the drawbacks ha ha ha!
I just wish that lanox would stop havin dreams about me!!!!!
you say a dream i say a nightmare…
DON’T would be my first instinct. I lived and was friends with a lot of people in the surf industry when I was younger and I don’t imagine the snow/skate industry is much better. The financial rewards are not there, those indutries rely on the cool factor to bring them a bunch of kids each year who will work for $40K a year really long hours for the cool factor. If they were in any other industry doing a similar job they would be earning over $60K. That aspect as well as the massive amount of scenesters and hipsters currently involved and pseudo nepotism and blatant unprofessionalism in the industry would have me running for the hills. I was actually offered jobs and turned them down almost as quickly.
My advice to you is to be friends with ppl that work in the industry, all the benefits and none of the drawbacks ha ha ha!
hahah that is good advice :D
I do know what you mean with the cool factor, I have had many experiences with this over the many years. Might be worth pursuing a design job then steal from the rich , hang with the poor. Eazy E would be proud.
Yeah, I’ve been in the industry, and pretty much agree with nthn!!!!!
It’s a very political scene, that for some, can take the shine off their love for the sports!!!!!
But, if ya really want to go for it, why not!!!!!
Some people obviously like that atmosphere, and become quite successful!!!!! Like any job, it all depends on what ya want to make o it, and where ya wanna take it!!!!!
* I don’t wanna be the one to put a downer on ya dreams!!!!!
But, if ya really want to go for it, why not!!!!!
Some people obviously like that atmosphere, and become quite successful!!!!! Like any job, it all depends on what ya want to make o it, and where ya wanna take it!!!!!
* I don’t wanna be the one to put a downer on ya dreams!!!!!
I’m crushed already Mizu :( you have crushed it all to pieces.
......
Nah all good it’s just some thing I would like to see what its like and of course it might be all a facade. Nothing set in concrete for future plans but some thing to think about.
Thanks for the advice
Mizu is right there, maybe it’s an awesome fit for your personality and you’re happy to deal with the politics and other dramas associated with it. Luckily I was self aware enough at 22 to realise that I just didn’t think I could deal with it. All the insecurities and over inflated ego’s would have pushed my buttons to a point where my limited emotional intelligence at the time would have resulted in me telling someone, probably of “importance” in no uncertain terms exactly what I thought of them and their performance.
With that said there are plenty of people who have made it a lifestyle and are at least to outward appearances very happy with their chosen life. For me it was a case of working a job I didn’t really care either way for, in an industry that revolved around something I loved but being paid shit or working in an industry I was indifferent about in a job I didn’t really care for but the pay was good. At the end of the day I think emotionally speaking at the time I made the choice I was better off. Now I’m very glad I chose this path, I get paid well, I’m good at what I do and I have a pretty awesome lifestyle.
I still haven’t figured out if there really is anything that I would love to do as a job, what it boils down to for me is the only job I would love is one where I could do whatever I want whenever I want, if you find that someone please let me know where to apply.
Mizu is right there, maybe it’s an awesome fit for your personality and you’re happy to deal with the politics and other dramas associated with it. Luckily I was self aware enough at 22 to realise that I just didn’t think I could deal with it. All the insecurities and over inflated ego’s would have pushed my buttons to a point where my limited emotional intelligence at the time would have resulted in me telling someone, probably of “importance” in no uncertain terms exactly what I thought of them and their performance.
With that said there are plenty of people who have made it a lifestyle and are at least to outward appearances very happy with their chosen life. For me it was a case of working a job I didn’t really care either way for, in an industry that revolved around something I loved but being paid shit or working in an industry I was indifferent about in a job I didn’t really care for but the pay was good. At the end of the day I think emotionally speaking at the time I made the choice I was better off. Now I’m very glad I chose this path, I get paid well, I’m good at what I do and I have a pretty awesome lifestyle.
I still haven’t figured out if there really is anything that I would love to do as a job, what it boils down to for me is the only job I would love is one where I could do whatever I want whenever I want, if you find that someone please let me know where to apply.
I hear you nrthn maybe that’s more of what Im searching for is working in an environment with like minded people.
I’m a very down to earth person so big personalities aren’t a favourite of mine. Might look in to some thing else Thanks for your help and what is your current profession if you dont mind me asking?
I’m a business development manager which is a really fancu way of saying I go out and find new business for my company, sales basically. I work for a security integrator who subcontracts to large electrical companies who subcontract to large builders on large commercial and govt works. I started years ago pulling cables as a tech, then tech support, then project management then sales engineer and now what I’m doing presently, that’s about 12years of background just there.
I say go for it. I’ve worked in this industry for about 10 years now and I certainly don’t regret it. If you’re passionate about skating, why not follow your dream. There are a lot of successful people in our industry and they all started out just doing what they loved.
So I take it you don’t have any graphic qualification yet? (I’m actually going to graphic design school this year part-time in the evenings).
Do you have any graphic work you can show us?
Anyway, retail is always a good first step. As mundane as it might seem, it’s your foot in the door and opens you to the whole industry. You will make countless contacts and you can find your niche and work out what part of the industry you want to work in. I believe most guys working in this industry started in retail, or at least have retail experience.
I have to run but please feel free to ask me any questions and I will be happy to answer. No point dreaming if you don’t give it a go.
I say go for it. I’ve worked in this industry for about 10 years now and I certainly don’t regret it. If you’re passionate about skating, why not follow your dream. There are a lot of successful people in our industry and they all started out just doing what they loved.
So I take it you don’t have any graphic qualification yet? (I’m actually going to graphic design school this year part-time in the evenings).
Do you have any graphic work you can show us?
Anyway, retail is always a good first step. As mundane as it might seem, it’s your foot in the door and opens you to the whole industry. You will make countless contacts and you can find your niche and work out what part of the industry you want to work in. I believe most guys working in this industry started in retail, or at least have retail experience.
I have to run but please feel free to ask me any questions and I will be happy to answer. No point dreaming if you don’t give it a go.
Yeah seems like the successful ones are very happy with the business and opportunity and it seems a lot are self made.
No qualification yet in graphic design just a cert IV in Multimedia from years ago. No folio online atm :( only printed. I have had course interviews recently but I can’t really afford to not work so I may do it via correspondence.
That was my idea do the graphics, work, get networked in to the business then hopefully move in to an area of graphics which I can work in the skate, surf, snow designing. It would be a dream job for me.
What course are doing Rider? What jobs have you had?
Thanks buddy :D
I worked in snow/skate/surf retail for about 8 years. Pretty much ran the snowboard department of that particular store (buying, product testing, dealing with reps etc.). For the most part, if you show passion, knowledge and drive, stores will be happy for you to take on that role and network within the industry. I can’t tell you how supportive my store was over the years. The truth is there are a lot of perks of working in retail - free gear, cheap gear, networking, product knowledge, getting an understanding of how the boardsports industry works etc.
During those 8 years I also travelled quite a bit and worked as a snowboard instructor in Australia and Canada. Again I thank the store for understanding my passion and letting me come back to work each time.
I have previously done a diploma in sports marketing. The course I am doing next year is the certificate IV in graphic design. I will be attending Shillington College - http://www.shillingtoncollege.com.au/. To be honest I’m doing this more for my own knowledge and interest more than anything else.
Like any industry, if you have passion, drive, do the right things, take advantage of opportunities, you are bound to be successful and happy. If it’s what you want to do, go for it and give it the best shot you can.