Today I continue profiling a range of Minnesotans whose jobs, broadly speaking, are in the "outdoors." Other profiles, published in Friday's Star Tribune, can be found at www.startribune.com/outdoors. If you're a high school or college graduate looking for a career, perhaps you'll take inspiration from these occupations.

Amy Wolfe Age: 41. Job: General manager, Cabela's in Rogers. What she does: Ensures the needs of Cabela's customers and suppliers are met. Oversees operations at the store and manages as many as 400 employees. Experience: Twenty years retail in various capacities, beginning as an hourly worker. Education: Business or related education helpful. Retail experience and hard work in various capacities required. Advice: "If this kind of work is something you truly believe in, set goals and achieve them. When I hire I look for energy, passion, drive and a strong work ethic. I want someone with a smile who is going to take care of our customers."

Josh Miller Age: 22. Job: Gundog trainer. What he does: Trains customers' retrievers, pointing dogs and flushing dogs in obedience and field work. Trains customers to handle their dogs, including by hand and whistle signals. Trains dogs for shed hunting. Experience: Has trained with, and studied under, various accomplished pro trainers nationwide. Traveled the country teaching for dog-equipment manufacturer. Education: "I studied business marketing in college, which is helping me set up my own training business." Advice: "Get as much experience as possible to gain as many different points of view about training as you can. Not every dog follows the same path. A good dog trainer will always know what to do next with a given dog."

Liz Flinn Age: 42. Job: Executive director, Camp Widjiwagan, Ely. What she does: Runs "Widji," a year-round wilderness tripping camp for about 675 campers who backpack or paddle throughout North America, on trips from 10 days to five weeks. Camp is also an environmental learning center. Manages staff, raises money, works with donors and board of directors. Experience: Worked for 13 years in social services with kids and families; camp counselor; wilderness trip guide. Education: Bachelor's; master's in nonprofit management or related field. Advice: "In this job you need a lot of different experiences and skills. Most important might be listening well. You have to able to listen, and to make good decisions based on what you hear."

Rob Drieslein Age: 41. Job: Managing editor, Outdoor News, with publications in seven states. What he does: He's less involved now in day-to-day journalism than in people management and long-term planning. "I wanted to be a guy who went fishing for a living. But I've found that if I want to make a living in this field, I've got to become more of a manager than a journalist." Experience: Dad worked for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, exposing him to outdoor activities as a kid. Wrote for college newspaper, then the Winona Daily News and Bowhunting World magazine. Education: Bachelor's degree. "I went back and got my MBA from St. Thomas in 2007." Advice: "You can make a career in outdoor writing, if you're willing to work hard and be flexible, and are willing to jump into something and say, 'I'll try that.' Never stop learning. And be persistent."

Susan Schmidt Age: 55. Job: Minnesota state director, The Trust for Public Land. What she does: Leads effort in Minnesota for TPL, a national organization, to conserve land for the public, whether as a park, trail or natural area. Manages people and budgets, and works with volunteers, donors and supporters. Experience: Past employee, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Environmental Quality Board, the Legislature, regional and local governments, and other nonprofits. Education: Bachelor's; master's in public policy or related field. Advice: "Get involved in a community or group you have a passion for. Volunteer for a conservation group or environmental learning center. Get on a committee or a board. Be part of advocacy."

Mike Schuett Age: 60. Job: Owner and president, North Country Marketing. What he does: Oversees nine employees selling to retailers in five states as manufacturers' representatives for Browning Arms, Winchester Firearms and Winchester Ammunition, among others. Experience: Retail for Joe's Sporting Goods through high school and college. Taught high school biology. Joined Joe's in 1976 as general manager. Factory representative. Founded North Country in 1987. Education: Bachelor's degree. Advice: "It's such a small industry, the only real way to get into the business is to involve yourself with retail. Then make connections with people who can provide opportunities."

Mike KilgoreAge: 51. Job: Professor, Forest Resources Department at the U. What he does: Teaches, conducts research, advises students, provides volunteer work and services to various government administrations and legislative commissions, among others. Experience: Longtime ruffed grouse and woodcock hunter. Professional forester and natural resources manager. Chaired governor's task force on improving Minnesota conservation. First chair, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. Education: Doctorate; his was in natural resource economics and policy. Advice: "In addition to advanced degrees, on-the-ground experience is needed, so you know how things work -- how forests grow, how they're harvested, and how people and economies attached to them interact."

Erika Rivers Age: 39. Job: Assistant commissioner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. What she does: Oversees three of DNR's seven divisions: Fish and Wildlife, Enforcement, and Parks and Trails, dealing with staff; local, state and federal DNR partners; and citizens. Experience: Financial editor. DNR regional information officer, community assistance planner, Lake Vermilion State Park project planner. Education: Master's or doctorate in natural resource management or public administration. Or law degree. Advice: "Passion for the outdoors, not a desire for a paycheck, is most important in natural resource management. Start by volunteering. College students especially should take advantage of internships or volunteer opportunities."

Dennis Anderson • danderson@startribune.com