Rock climbing career

Question
I have been researching this field for several months now and i would really appreciate some guidance. I was looking for an apprenticeship to get all my certifications and then persue a professional rock climbing career.
I have the drive and physical ability along with strong people skills (very strong). I have no clue where to look to get certified for one main reason: Money. I cannot afford to pay for a school, so i was looking to get paid to work and train at the same time.
I was hoping you could help me find possible ways to do this. Im not sure where to look as most sites are about the customer (as they should be) not abou the possible guide. Any knowledge you can pass along to get me going would be greatly appreciated. I just know this is a life i want to live. Being behind a desk is simply not for me. I have a degree already and know i need to be in a job where people are always interacting, i am active and my physical ability takes me where i want to go! thanks in advance and i look forward to hearing from ya. Feel free to call me if you feel it to be a better way to help me out! thanks!

Joey, 614-915-4806

Answer
It sounds to me like you want to be a professional guide, not a professional rock climber.

I don't have any specific knowledge about being a professional as I only did guiding as a part time job in college.  It seems to me like you're on the right track though, you just need to take it one step further and make some phone calls, or write some letters.

From what I've heard about that industry, you should get used to living without money.  It seems that professional guides are just that and little more.  They guide trips, teach, etc and then go climbing.

My advise would be to start talking to the schools.  Find a few that you like and go from there.  I can't be too much help finding specific schools, as I have never been to one myself, but I hear that NOLS is one of the best.  Beyond that, I think that experience is the best teacher.

Hope that helps and let me know if I can do more.

Nick