Links to related Web Sites are listed at the bottom of this page.
| AREAS |
EMPLOYERS |
STRATEGIES |
|
COMMERCIAL RECREATION/TOURISM
Travel/Transportation |
- Convention services
- Travel agencies
- Travel/tourism bureaus
- Outdoor outfitters
- Guide services
- Ecotourism agencies
- Cruise lines
- Airlines
- Bus lines
- Rail travel
|
Develop strong programming, leadership and communication skills.
Obtain business skills with business minor or work
experience.
Acquire foreign language skills and complete a study
abroad experience.
Travel to different parts of the country or world to gain exposure to various cultures.
Join university organizations related to travel or recreation.
|
| |
Hospitality
Facilities Management
Resort Management
Event Planning
|
- Hotels, motels
- Restaurants
- Resorts
- Taverns
- Motor home parks
- Campgrounds
- Recreation communities
- Theme parks
- Private industry
- Second home communities
- Special events companies
|
Obtain experience working at resorts, hotels,
recreation departments, or special events companies.
Work or volunteer for departments on campus that plan conferences.
Spend summers working at tourist attractions. |
| |
Local Commercial Recreation
Promotions and Specials Events
Facilities Management
|
- Festivals and fairs
- Sport events
- Vendors
- Concessionaires
- Multipurpose sports clubs
- Racquet clubs
- Dance studios
- Health and fitness clubs
- Golf courses
- Movie theaters
- Skating rinks
- Party services
- Various entertainment providers
|
Learn membership sales techniques.
Develop in-depth knowledge and ability for skill area.
Gain experience through related part-time or summer jobs.
Work at on-campus recreational facilities.
Participate in event-planning for campus or
community activities.
Join related campus organizations such as the campus entertainment board, cultural attractions
committee, or student union. |
| |
THERAPEUTIC RECREATION
Program Coordination
Administration |
- Rehabilitation hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Acute care hospitals
- Psychiatric facilities
- Community mental health centers
- Senior centers
- Adult daycare centers
- Residential facilities for people with special needs
- Substance abuse centers
- Correctional facilities
- Recovery centers
- Educational facilities
- Camps and outdoor recreational programs
|
Demonstrate ability to work as part of an
interdisciplinary team.
Obtain therapeutic recreation emphasis or graduate degree in area.
Earn relevant licensure or certification.
Learn to be patient, tactful, and persuasive.
Possess ingenuity and imagination.
Have good physical coordination.
Develop an interest in working with all types of people.
Gain experience through volunteering in related
organizations. |
| |
GOVERNMENT
Outdoor Recreation Planning
Parks
Natural Resource Management
Recreation Management
Program Management
Administration
|
- City, county, or regional government agencies including parks and public recreation programs
- State and federal government agencies including parks, forests, wildlife areas and water resources
- Department of Defense
- Military bases in U.S. and foreign countries
- Correctional facilities
- Conservation organizations
- Rehabilitation centers
|
Learn federal, state, and local job application
procedures.
Obtain experience with government agencies.
Become active in local recreation programs and
activities.
Volunteer to lead teams or organize committees in local recreation leagues.
Take additional coursework in wildlife, turf management,
exercise science or other related field. |
| |
SOCIAL SERVICE
Camp Management
Program Management
Community Center Management
Programming
Coaching
|
- Camps
- Children's homes
- Correctional facilities
- Senior centers
- Youth programs
- Special Olympics
- Community programs for people with special needs
- Nonprofit and social service organizations
- Community centers
- Religiously affiliated organizations
|
Obtain experience with camps, youth groups, etc.
through summer jobs and volunteer positions.
Get involved in campus activities and seek leadership roles.
Learn to work well with a wide variety of people. |
| |
FITNESS
Health Club Management
Fitness Instructing
Dance Instructing
Coaching
Athletic Training
|
- Fitness centers
- Corporate fitness centers
- Weight reduction facilities
- Sports and entertainment centers
- Athletic clubs
- Adult care facilities
- Sports clinics
- Self employment
|
Obtain experience and expertise in various athletic
and fitness areas.
Work at on-campus recreational facilities.
Obtain relevant certifications such as personal trainer
or fitness instructor.
Develop excellent physical coordination and
condition.
Get involved in related professional organizations. |
| |
RECREATION RETAILING
Management
Buying
Small Business Ownership |
- Department stores
- Specialty shops
- Sporting goods stores
- Outdoor outfitters
|
Minor in business. Learn basic business principles.
Gain experience in direct sales and customer
service.
Develop skills in management and motivation of others.
Get experience in promotion and special events.
Acquire skills in inventory management including
purchasing, stock control, and merchandise display.
Develop expertise in a recreational interest such as
hiking, fishing, paddling, skiing, or hunting. |
| |
EDUCATION
Teaching
Research
Coaching
Administration
|
- Universities/colleges
- Elementary/secondary schools
|
Earn a graduate degree for teaching and administration at the college and university level.
Learn the process for teacher certification in the K-12 system.
Get involved in recreation sports or intramurals as an
undergraduate student. |
| |
GENERAL INFORMATION
• Obtain summer, part-time, internship, or volunteer experience in camps, playgrounds, recreation/fitness centers, social service organizations,
hotels, tourist attractions, etc.
• An undergraduate degree is sufficient for entry-level recreation positions. A graduate degree may be required for administrative positions and teaching/research
positions at universities and colleges.
• Obtain a broad liberal arts and cultural background including knowledge/skills in athletics, music, arts and crafts, nature, dance, drama, and club structure.
• Obtain certification in first aid and safety, CPR, or lifeguarding depending upon your interests.
• Enjoy the outdoors and/or be willing to work outdoors.
• Develop physical agility and stamina for your career.
• Develop good verbal and written communication skills.
• Join related professional associations. Attend state/national professional association conferences.
• Cultivate the ability to motivate others.
• Possess the ability to enjoy life and positively interact with others.
• Obtain competence and skills in special area(s) of interest.
• Learn to work effectively with people of various ages and backgrounds.
• Possess a cooperative attitude toward others as well as common sense in understanding and dealing with people and situations.
• Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team.
• Obtain knowledge of U.S. and world geography, history and social customs. Consider taking foreign language depending on your career interests.
• Develop leadership and supervisory skills in coordinating and directing others in various activities.
• Consider participating in the Walt Disney College Program. |
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