Echo everyone’s prior sentiments, plus a few more…
The one thing I can’t stress enough is to either learn a trade or get an education. From a competitive standpoint, your up against other anglers with degrees in everything ranging from fisheries biology to business management and marketing. Educations are expensive so if your going to tackle school, you should be ready to be the absolute best throughout the entire process. If your not going to school on a scholarship, you should have the mentality that every month, for XX amount of years, your going to write a check for your student loan repayment and it helps to know you conquered your education. with that said, be aware of the educational bubble that is also about to burst. Crazy things are happening in the land of education. Unfortunately, education has become a sky-high priced commodity and in my opinion, a two-year degree is today’s high-school diploma. Your gonna have to do something.
Have a solid plan. If you pick a trade, go for it but also, don’t be afraid to take some entrepreneurial classes (free) via massive open online courses (MOOC). Learn how to write a business plan and a marketing proposal. Why should an endemic and/or non-endemic organization give you any money? What do you bring to the table that others do not?
Get experience everywhere – Don’t limit yourself to any single species or forums, whether competitive or non-competitive. Join a club as a non-boater, excel at it, gain some exposure, learn the game, and know what specifically you bring to the table that applies to the diverse things you’ll need to do to stay employed. Can you facilitate a seminar? Promote it’s attendance? Captivate an audience? Guide for any species? Where do you add value versus where are you lacking in experience and skills.
Good luck!
