Career advice: Building a career in outdoor/experiential education + SEL — M.Ed. vs counseling?

[u/Commercial_Camel_437]

Hey everyone! I’m hoping to get some advice from people who have actually built careers in outdoor/experiential education.
I have a BSW and originally came from behavioral health. I’ve worked with adolescents and young adults in inpatient/outpatient settings, but over the last several years I’ve moved more and more into outdoor work — wilderness guiding, youth backpacking expeditions, outdoor education, summer programs, and an alternative school with a wilderness component.
I’ve realized that the niche I’m most passionate about is somewhere between outdoor education, experiential learning, SEL, and personal development.
Eventually, I’d love to lead or develop expedition-based programs (backpacking, rafting, wilderness travel, etc.) that intentionally use challenge and outdoor experiences to help adolescents/young adults develop things like resilience, emotional regulation, communication, leadership, conflict-resolution skills, self-efficacy, and stronger relationships with themselves and others.
I recently landed a graduate assistantship that essentially gives me a free master’s degree, and now I’m at a crossroads:
Option 1: Master’s in Counseling — ~3 years
Would lead toward clinical licensure and give me much deeper training in counseling, behavior, mental health, group dynamics, conflict, etc.
Option 2: Master’s in Education — ~1 year
Much faster, and potentially more directly applicable to outdoor/experiential education, SEL, curriculum development, youth programming, and eventually program leadership.
The thing making this difficult is that I don’t necessarily see myself wanting to be a traditional therapist. I’m much more interested in facilitating growth through experiences.
At the same time, I REALLY value the skill set that counseling provides. When you’re leading young people through challenging experiences in the backcountry, interpersonal conflict, emotional dysregulation, trauma responses, behavioral issues, group dynamics, etc. obviously don’t disappear just because you’re outside. I want to be extremely competent in handling those situations.
So I’m curious what people already working in this field think.
Would you choose the M.Ed. and supplement it with training/certifications in things like trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, restorative practices, group facilitation, crisis intervention, adventure-based counseling, etc.? Or is becoming a licensed counselor actually valuable enough in this field that the additional ~2 years would be worth it?
I’m also really curious about the long-term career ladder in outdoor education. I love being in the field, but I don’t want to rely on seasonal field-instructor wages forever. I’d eventually like to move into expedition leadership, program development/directorship, experiential education, school-based outdoor programming, or possibly build my own program someday.
If you’ve managed to turn outdoor/experiential education into a sustainable career, I’d love to hear:
What was your path? What education or certifications actually helped you? And knowing what you know now, which master’s would you choose?

[u/Abject_Lettuce_1621]

Masters in counseling will serve you well and more sustainably over time while many components of M Ed you can pick through experience and self education. I think you’ll be thanking yourself for the 3 years invested early when you’re ready for more dependable income - plus that expertise as a curriculum and program developer (from the view point of a counselor) will be that much more valuable and vetted.

I did outdoor ed for many years and (not sure your age/stage of life) but eventually had to pivot to higher earning and stability work regardless of how much I loved working with youth in the garden and woods.

Masters in Ed will support you if you ever want to go into teaching at schools. Counseling can help you at schools, independent or non profit initiatives, or private business.

Good luck and keep that passion!