We interrupt your regularly scheduled broadcast to bring you a special Nomad Grad update (insert your own beepy noises and dramatic news anchor voice here.) And boy, is it a kangaroo of a ‘tale’…
I, your nomadic storyteller, professional adventurer, and life enthusiast, Hilary Billings, have beaten the odds.
Out 600,000 applications and 45,000 video submissions worldwide, I am now one of twenty-five candidates shortlisted for Tourism Australia’s “Best Jobs in the World” Park Ranger position!
Whoohoo!
Oh wait. Confused? No worries. I’ll explain…
Over the past month, Tourism Australia has been seeking out adventurers worldwide to submit for a chance to land one of six dream jobs in the wonderful land of Oz. These positions not only include six months of amazing opportunities, like patrolling beaches and diving pristine reefs, but they also come with a pretty salary (definitely a hefty pay increase over my current blogging pay… ahem…).
So I submitted a video, dreaming of exploring rainforests, learning from The Aboriginals, and protecting Aussie’s wildlife like all the other hopefuls.
And now, after combing through 375 hours worth of video, Tourism Australia has selected its shortlist candidates who will advance to the second phase of the competition. And your favorite professional adventurer is on the list!
I am shocked and honored to be one of only three Americans considered for the job. To have the opportunity to explore, protect, and share with the world Queensland’s natural wonders for six months would be amazing. But the job’s not mine just yet.
The Challenge:
I’ve got two weeks to prove my worth to the Tourism Australia and show them how great I am at rallying support for my cause. Between then and now we need create a TON of social media buzz about me and why I am the ‘Chosen One’. I have until May 7th to make noise. Then they will choose three finalists to fly out and interview in Australia.
Clearly, I can’t do this alone. I need as much support from my fellow adventurers as humanly (and technologically) possible!
How You Can Help:
-COMMENT on this post!
-LIKE my Facebook Hilary for Ranger Fan Page!
-FOLLOW my Hilary for Ranger Twitter feed and join #TeamHilary!
-VISIT the Australian Working Holiday Facebook Page and tell them you are on #TeamHilary for Park Ranger!
-SHARE with your friends and family. We’ve got to rally as much support as possible!
Over the course of the next two weeks, I’ll be bringing you updates on what I’m doing and how you can help. So please stay tuned!
Thank you so much in advance for your help and support in my dream!
The Nomad Grad 
I went back and I was a big fan of 9 and 8 and 3. And then I think 13 and 14 are right up thereI cant forget eight and nine. I had six wines that blew me away tonight: 1, 3, 8, 9, 13, and 14. (I embed my audio recdoring.)
Good luck Hilary! Sounds like a great job!
Thank you so much, Suzy! Fingers crossed! Only two days left in this contest!
Damn, I’d love that job. I hope you’ll get it!!! Good luck to you!
Thank you so much! Only have TWO DAYS left to make magic… ack!
I greatly appreciate your support!
Sounds like a dream job to me! Best of luck. Go #TeamHilary
Thank you so much! I greatly appreciate you joining the effort! What’s your dream job?
Does “living off my trust funds” count? I enjoy doing too many things to think I’d ever be happy with one job… but, maybe being a professional writer could come close.
Haha! Sure, why not? We are talking dream jobs, so everything’s fair game… you know, as long as it doesn’t defy the law of physics 😉
And right on, writer! I understand the enjoying lots of things.
Reblogged this on Larkycanuck's Blog.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Go Hilary!
Thank you for supporting! Go #teamHilary!
go for it!
Thank you so much! Think Huffpost might be interested in a small piece on a travel blogger going for her dreams? Getting the backing of some awesome people!
the Huffpost LA or US ed vertical probably would. i submitted for a similar competition (around the world trip + 50K cash) but didnt make it to the top 12.
i can reblog your post on my site. hows that.
Sounds great! Thank you!
Anytime.
=)
Oh my gosh!!! That is so exciting! I’m so happy for you – but so unsurprised. I cannot think of a blogger I read more suited for this position than you.
Thank you so much! Please visit http://www.facebook.com/AustralianWorkingHoliday and share your thoughts with them! I could use all the support possible! Go #TeamHilary!
Hilary, you would be perfect for this job! #TeamHilary #notbiased
Thank you, Ryan! #TeamHilary all the way #biasedornot 😉
You asked others what their dream job would be but I didn’t get the chance.
Well Hilary, when I grow up…I want to be an ASTRONAUT 😀
Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make you feel excluded! Let’s rewind…
So, Ryan, what is YOUR dream job?
PS: Astronaut is AMAZING! Much braver than me. The idea of living somewhere where there’s no sound outside your window is freaky to me. =)
I think you would be an amazing park ranger. They would be crazy not to pick you.
Thank you so much, Tonya! You are so sweet for taking the time to comment and support!
HOW AWESOME!!! Congrats!! You have my support 150% 🙂
Thank you, Erica! I appreciate your support! Let’s go #teamhilary!
Quick question: I can’t seem to find a way to actually vote. Is the point to just get your name out on the internet as possible vs collecting votes?
Yeah, there’s no actual ‘voting’. This is all about ‘spreading the word’ and gaining as much media and social media support as possible.
You can LIKE on facebook at: http://www.Facebook.com/HilaryForRanger
And of course, you’re already following on twitter. =)
Please SHARE as MUCH content as possible and get your friends to like and spread the word! I’ve got TWO DAYS left! Ack!
Good luck as you advance! I came here through Gene of Thoughts, Ramblings, and Daydreams reblog of your post.
Thank you so much for supporting! I really appreciate you visiting and following my journey! Love Gene! So grateful to have his support!
I knew I recognized you Hilary on The best jobs in Australia. I couldn’t figure out where I knew the name from though. I didn’t make the short list, haha. Congratulations, I really hope you get it.
NosyAss.com 🙂 Matt
Haha! Thanks so much for your encouragement, Matt! I’m sorry you didn’t make it but I’m sure there is a bigger/better adventure waiting for you down the line! I appreciate your willingness to support me. =)
hahah, I just submitted some contact information. I never saw anything about submitting a video of why I would be the hunkiest park ranger down under 😉 Anyways, congrats and I really hope the smart pretty redhead makes the final cut :). (From Las Vegas too) You are more deserving of the opportunity and I have this feeling you will win. Ciao4now
Well thank you! You’re very sweet. Fingers crossed! We’ll know in less than a week! Please visit their Facebook page and tell them you’re on #TeamHilary! I only have a few days before they make their decision! Ack! =)
Hillary! I would do that for you in a NY second but my lifestyle at this present time doesn’t accommodate FaceBook. I deactivated my account years ago. It’s a more special world to be visible to the public every now and then. For me at least. I apologize if you’re a brunette. I was thinking about what I said. 🙂 In a few pictures you looked like a red head. You can clarify with me. =) I’m rooting for you
No worries! I appreciate your commenting and supporting regardless! I’m actually a blonde, but I do have some red in my hair. I have a lot of Irish in me. =)
Oh wow that’s really cool. I hope you win! *keeping my fingers crossed
Thank you so much! I appreciate your support!
What is your dream job?
Congratulations! This seems like a fantastic opportunity.
Thank you so much, Jessica! It certainly is. Please support on Facebook and Twitter! @HilaryForRanger and http://www.Facebook.com/HilaryForRanger
What is your dream job?
Reblogged this on Say Gudday and commented:
PLEASE help out this talented, young travel writer as she beats the odds to land the job of a life time.
Thank you so much for sharing!
What would be your dream job, if given any choice in the world?
I’m so happy for you! From the first time I read your blog I knew I was experiencing something special. You will go on to be a force in travel writing (or literature in general for that matter) and I will say to folk “I read her when she was a wee lass.” Because I intend on talking like an ancient, Scottish Highlander in a few years. I’m creating a squidoo lens as we speak to help spread the word and a hubpage later. I know that two facebook friends have already shared and liked your fb page. I have my fingers crossed for you but I doubt that you need the luck. Australia would be insane not to pick you.
PS – I have my dream job, I sail a boat wherever I want. How can you beat that?
Sailing wherever you want does sound magical.
And wow, thank you so much for your kind words. Really, they mean so much to me. And what I love most about it is the Scottish Highlander accent. I LOVE that my readers are funny. I think that’s because on some level I hope that that means I’m funny too. 🙂
Would you mind sharing your words and endorsement on the Australian Working Holiday Facebook page? Saying exactly why you’ve been following me and why you think I’m the best lass for the job?
Please tell your friends thank you. I’m so overwhelmed and grateful for the love being shared for me worldwide!
Already liked but I will DEFINITELY share more comments on that page shortly. It’s a job that, as a son of the Lucky Country, I can say definitively, we’d be lucky to have you as a spokesperson. But of course you have to promise to learn how to throw a boomerang.
Squidoo page up, comments made, literary geniuses referenced. I will continue to refine over the next 8 days. Fingers crossed for you because you are clearly the best candidate.
Thank you so much for doing that! The article looks SO good. I really appreciate you taking the time to do so!
Uhhh, heck yes! Aren’t boomerang lessons the first thing you do when you get off a plane? That and learning how to play a didgeridoo? 😉
LOL yes, yes it is.
Hah! i KNEW it. 😉
Hillary,
I have thought of visiting Australia for far more years than you’ve been alive. It just may be that from your work, I may finally be enticed to visit. Good luck on landing the job!
Wow, what a compliment! Thank you so much for writing this and sharing. I think you would absolutely love it. It’s an amazing place with amazing people. And I would love the opportunity to share my adventures with you and the rest of the world! So I appreciate your support in my venture!
Good Luck Hilary! This is so exciting — I hope they pick you! You’ve got my support (on WP, Twitter and FB) 🙂
Thank you so much, Arlene! I greatly appreciate your support and willingness to share via social media!
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
Reblogged this on Thoughts, Ramblings, and Daydreams and commented:
Hillary is one of the great adventurers out there. Not only does she bring you exciting destinations, she introduces you to the people there and immerses you in their culture.
Hillary also isn’t afraid to put her own thoughts and emotions out for everyone to see either. She let’s you know how much the people have influenced her and what she’s learned along the way.
That’s why I’m reblogging her post for her. Hillary has a chance for getting a job of a lifetime. She wants to be a Park Ranger in Australia. The title is very misleading. Hillary will be more of an Ambassador than just a Ranger. She’ll have to deal with multiple cultures, be on camera, effectively entertain and educate people on their visits. Reading her blog for over a year, I can say she’s definitely up for the challenge. She’s worked hard and is one of the twenty five finalists for the job. That’s why I’m posting her blog here. Anyone that works that hard to get so far before asking for a little help has more than earned it.
With that I present to you Hillary Billing’s post, “Help me land the best job in the world.”
Oh, and Hillary, if you do get the job, I want to meet Roothie from 4WD Action when I visit. 😉
This is SUCH an awesome endorsement. Thank you so much for posting and reblogging this. =) I have the best readers!
🙂
=) Go #TeamHilary!
Would you mind sharing your reasoning as to why you think I should be #ParkRanger on the Australian Working Holiday Facebook page? I think this resounding endorsement is something they should read!
You got it.
Thank you so much!
I posted twice. Once under my personal name and again under my blog title.
I find it kinda odd working so hard to kick such a nice lady out of the country. 😉
Hahahahaha. I never looked at it like that! I always looked at it as everyone’s hard work so that you have a place to stay when you come visit 😉
And I appreciate all of your hard work. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome. 🙂
=)
I VOTE FOR HILARY!!!
Whoohoo! Thank you so much!
What is your dream job?
Haha, being a writer 😀 That must be such a typical response xD I don’t think I’m well enough accostumed to the world of “jobs” to know about any other than lawyer, doctor, entrepenuer, waitress etc xD
I don’t think it’s a typical response at all. And there are so many different kinds of writers. It’s an incredibly diverse and open-ended field. We need writers to convey information, writer books, screenplays, jokes, news stories, campaigns, songs, and statistics. I think being a writer could lead you to a very ‘atypical’ kind of lifestyle. =)
Anita and I and friends here in Georgia are all behind you.
Thank you so much, George! I greatly appreciate your support!
If you could pick any job in the world to do, what would it be?
What an amazing opportunity Hilary! Go #TEamHilary We hope that you win and you get to experience my BEAUTIFUL country! I know you will promote it so well
Thank you so much, Caz and Craig! Having your support means SO much to me. I hope I get the opportunity to come down and share in the amazing adventure!
We love you, Nomad Grad! We love your stories and your uncanny abilities to reel us in. Can’t wait to follow your journey to Australia! You would be the PERFECT person for this job!
Thank you so much, Robin! You are too kind.
Team Hilary definitely has my vote! Congrats!
Thank you so much, Anna Marie!
If you could have any job in the world, what would that be?
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Awesome….how exciting. I support Team Hilary!!! Fingers crossed 🙂
Thank you so much, Ingrid! My fingers are crossed as well. =)
Whaaat!?? Oh em gee Hilary! This is awesome!!!
Thank you so much, Jason! I think it’s pretty incredible. =)
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
That’s fantastic! My mom sent me that link, but I never quite got around to applying. I’m not sure how I would have fared against 600,000 other applications. Congrats on being 1 of 3 Americans, I’m sure you will do us proud. I’m looking forward to many ‘down under’ posts. Good Luck! You will be great!! – Rene
Thank you so much, Rene! Yeah, it was incredibly intimidating knowing the stats that were out there. I feel so honored and thankful that Tourism Australia chose me and believes in me enough to have made it this far. Now it’s my turn to show them that I really am qualified and right for the role.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
Thanks so much for commenting!
Go You! Best of luck to being selected Hilary the Park Ranger!
Thank you so much! I greatly appreciate your support! If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
You’re very welcome!
Well, if it has to be a job, then Tarot Reader and Author. Oh, I do that already! What would I really LOVE to do, though? Jet around philanthropically trying to spend all my money by investing in people who catch my eye or attention with what they are doing.
That sounds like an AWESOME goal! Helping others is so rewarding. And I’m sure others would love your assistance in their dreams. I hope someday you get the opportunity to do that. =)
Thanks Much! 😀
Of course! You’re so welcome!
Alghrit alright alright that’s exactly what I needed!
Wow that’s so amazing! To be in the top 25 is already very impressive, congrats! I hope you get one of the positions so here I am showing a bit of support. Good luck!
Thank you so much. Yes, I am incredibly honored and feel so blessed to have made it thus far in the competition. And thank you so much for your support!
What would you say your dream job is?
I am still trying to figure that out 😉
Hey, I know ALL about that! I wish you more travels and adventures along your journey =)
If you could teach me to pose for photos like a pin-up girl, you’ve got some seriously mad communication and teaching skillz, girl. You’ll be an excellent ranger.
Hahaha! Emily, you already have those mad pin-up skills! And thank you so much. Fingers crossed! Lots of love to my Nicaragua surfing pals!
Hilary has such an inspirational blog and is someone that I, as a young professional working in international affairs, can relate to!
Thank you so much, Karolyn! I strive to have my writing be as inspirational and motivational as possible. That’s amazing that you work in international affairs! What would you say your dream job is?
Thanks so much for commenting!
This is great news! Congratulations and good luck! I know your sincerity and brightness will just shine through. Here’s rooting for you all the way!
Thank you so much! I SO appreciate the support from my readers and friends around the world. You guys are amazing!
What would you say your dream job is?
I would have loved to follow the path to being an ambassador.
That would have been amazing! What a dream. I can definitely see you making a great ambassador, as you have such an eloquent way of communicating. =)
**smiles**
=) Are you still thinking of going for it?
Sadly, no. I’m into many things right now. And there’s an age limit to the acceptance of people working for the industry here in my country. I’m one of those who were into so many things, I didn’t identify which I love doing the most. And that is why, I love reading about your life! There’s so much love and passion. =>
Thank you so much for saying that. I love being about to share my life with you guys.
And I’m sorry to hear that about the age limit. But to me, that just means it’s just not the right fit for you. There is something so much better waiting for you on the horizon. =)
Thank you for the encouragement. =>
Anytime!
Good luck hilary! I really hope you win! Xo
Thank you so much, Deedee! Lots of love to you and my Australian pals! Any words of advice for a Las Vegas gal looking to make a move Down Under?
Be prepared to spend a lot of money! haha. Cost of living is quite high, but minimum wage is high too 🙂 You’re going to have a BLAST. You’ll never run out of things to do. The transition will be a lot smoother for you since you’ve already been there before! Any questions just ask me 🙂 xo
Oh goodness, do I remember the price difference! I remember being FLOORED when a bottle of sunscreen was close to twenty bucks. But luckily this time around I would have income, unlike my last trip. =)
And thank you so much! I’m sure you’ll be hearing from me. Or rather, have me buzzing around your head for the next few weeks. Have I preapologized yet for how annoying I’m about to get? 😉
I don’t mind! Hit me with all the questions you need answered
Sounds great! Thank you so much!
sweet! good luck!
Thank you so much! Fingers crossed =).
If you could pick any job in the world as your ‘dream job’, what would that be?
I’m kind of doing it now! 🙂 If I had to choose another one though, it would either be national geographic photographer or linguistic anthropologist
although honestly I’d pick my current job, only for more money 🙂
Haha! Now THAT’s ingenious. =) I love it!
Oooh, good choices for sure!
, we’re down to the question of the difference between a misogynist term and a term that is used exclusively by misogynists. If someone is so horrified by the idea of women holding views they do not share that they have to compare them to Nazis, then they are probably just going to have to accept that they have a problem. Call that misogyny, call it gynophobia – whatever you want, really. But it’s a hateful term and it’s a hateful term directed solely at women who are seeking to advance a cause the person using the term disagrees with. Quod, again, erat detmdsmrannuo.
Wow! What an incredible opportunity! I always enjoy reading your posts and think you offer unique, insightful perspectives. You’d do a tremendous job of showing us the wonders of Australia. Good luck!! My vote is for you!
Thank you so much for such a great endorsement! I greatly appreciate your support!
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
I would move back to Australia in a second. It is a fabulous place to live! Best of luck with the job.
What part of Australia are you from, Annette?
I’ve only visited thus far but the people, the culture, and the animals were so amazing! I would love to have the opportunity to live there for ‘realsies’. =) Thanks so much for supporting!
I left New York City and lived in Sydney for a few years. Best memories ever!
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you:) Cheers!
How amazing! I visited Sydney last year on my way to live with the Firewalkers. I couldn’t imagine waking up every morning to that beautiful harbor. How everyone just doesn’t explode from its beauty is beyond me! =)
And thank you so much!
Pingback: Help Me Land The Best Job in the World! | Paging Dr. Allie
I can’t think of anyone better for this job! I will be helping you out as much as I can! Go Hilary!
Thank you so much, Dr. Allie! I am, as always, so grateful to have your support and encouragement!
If you could have a ‘dream job’ that was different from your current one, what would you say that is?
I would be following in your footsteps! 😉 But for now, I will vicariously live through your wonderful blog.
Aww, shucks, lady. You’re making me blush. Thank you for your kind words.
And I hope one day we get to meet for an adventure! Fingers crossed for Australia! Would love if you would stop by Tourism Australia’s page and tell them why you’re on TeamHilary! A week to go before they announce the finalists!
http://www.Facebook.com/AustralianWorkingHoliday
Hillary, you are absolutely the best person for this job. Australia has no idea what they are about to luck into. If you don’t mind, I’d like to repost this blog on my site over the weekend.
Thank you so much for your vote of confidence, Gene! And yes, please share share share wherever you’d like. I could use all the support I can get! =) So thankful for the travel blogging community!
I reblogged it, and posted it on both my blog Face book page and my personal Facebook page. Hopefully that will get you some traffic.
Thank you so much for doing that! I really appreciate it. =)
This is going to be a two-week marathon, so I really appreciate your support along the way!
More good luck wishes from Down Under! Make a great impression & we’ll see you real soon.
Thank you so much, Annette! Looking forward to seeing you soon as well!
Reblogged this on epilepsy me and neurology and commented:
I interupt my normal range of blogging material to re-blog an application from Hilary ‘The Nomad Grad’ for support to get a job as a park ranger in OZ. She has quite a travel repatoir amongst her most momorable blog exploits has actually MET and spent a day with ‘The Muppets’. I wanted to show my support and encourage my fellow bloggers to join her media campaign. Good luck Nomad Grad. I hope you get your dream job!
Thank you so so much for sharing! I SO appreciate your support!
Us Muppet fans have to stick together!
it would be like piggy without kermit.
Indeed it would, good friend. Indeed it would. And that’s just nonsensical. =)
I’m sure youd make a great ranger good luck with that !
Thank you so much! Fingers crossed! =) What would you say your dream job is?
acupuncturist. 🙂
Awesome! I would have to applaud you from afar as I get quite woozy at the sight of needles 😉
Hi I live in Australia and I think you would be a Fantastic Ranger good luck
G’Day, Geoff! Thank you so much for your support! What part of Australia are you from?
Hi originally from Tasmania, now I live in Qld jn Brisbane,good luck
That’s awesome! I met a few great guys in Brisbane when I visited last year who were originally from Tasmania. I hear it’s very cold there!
And thank you! Fingers crossed!
Go Team Hilary!!!
Whoohoo! I’m so excited to have you on my team! What would you say your dream job is?
Absolutely! Hmmm that’s a toughy… I’d have to say as long as I was happy and able to see the world then I’d be happy in any job! And I am very excited about teaching in South Korea this year too!
Whoohoo! That’s amazing! I’m so excited for you! When do you go?
Thank you! I so hope you get the job too so that I can hear all about it! As long as we get all our documents together I should be going at the end of August!
Wow! That would be amazing! How fun! Please keep me updated on how that progresses!
And yes, fingers crossed! They’ll be announcing the finalists in a week. So crazy!
I pray that the world conspires to help you fulfill your dream! God bless you, Hilary. May you inspire others more!
Thank you so much, Shelley! Fingers crossed for that conspiring, universe! Many blessing to you as well. I am so lucky to have such a great team supporting me!
Have you ever been Down Under? Or had a dream location to visit?
You can do it! Never give up!!
Thank you so much, Linda! I really appreciate your support.
What’s your dream job?
You go, girl!
Thank you! Fingers crossed I go all the way Down Under! Have you ever been?
Team Hilary all the way!!!!
Whoohoo! Go team! Thank you so much for your support!
Vou te dizer… falam que ginecologista faz exame de sangue pra te dar um annlocncepciotai…. tudo mentira….No primeiro.. não fez nada.. só olhou.. toma esse… (não vou falar o nome dos remedios)Tudo a mesma coisa .. eles só olham pra sua cara e falam: toma este
Good Luck – I’ve let them know I’m on #TeamHilary 🙂
Thank you so much for your support! We’re well on our way!
Hey Hilary! Great video! SOOO happy you made the top 25! Hope you get it! 🙂
Thank you so much, Julianna! I greatly appreciate your support. I would love to share my adventures in Australia with you. Goooooooo #TeamHilary! =)
You will be the most AMAZING Ranger in all the land!!!
Thank you so much, Carolyn!
All the luck! Hollering your way! LOL
Thank you so much, Arturo! I greatly appreciate your support! =)
You’ve shown me that you really want the job!!
I do. I really do. But now I just have to prove Tourism Australia that that’s the case… and that I’m ready to work!