What can I do with this degree? |
COMMERCIAL RECREATION/ TOURISM
- Travel/ Transportation
- Hospitality
- Facilities Management
- Resort Management
- Event Planning
- Local Commercial Recreation
- Promotions and Specials Events
- Facilities Management
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- Convention services
- Travel agencies
- Travel/tourism bureaus
- Outdoor outfitters
- Guide services
- Ecotourism agencies
- Cruise lines
- Airlines
- Bus lines
- Rail travel
- Hotels, motels
- Restaurants
- Resorts
- Taverns
- Motor home parks
- Campgrounds
- Recreation communities
- Theme parks
- Private industry
- Second home communities
- Special events companies
- Multipurpose sports clubs
- Racquet clubs
- Dance studios
- Health and fitness clubs
- Golf courses
- Movie theaters
- Skating rinks
- Party services
- Various entertainment providers
- Festivals and fairs
- Sport events
- Vendors
- Concessionaires
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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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THERAPEUTIC RECREATION
- Program Coordination
- Administration
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- 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
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- 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.
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GOVERNMENT
- Outdoor Recreation Planning
- Parks
- Natural Resource Management
- Recreation Management
- Program Management
- Administration
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- 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
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- 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.
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SOCIAL SERVICE
- Camp Management
- Program Management
- Community Center Management
- Programming
- Coaching
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- 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
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- 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.
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FITNESS
- Health Club Management
- Fitness Instructing
- Dance Instructing
- Coaching
- Athletic Training
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- Fitness centers
- Corporate fitness centers
- Weight reduction facilities
- Sports and entertainment centers
- Athletic clubs
- Adult care facilities
- Sports clinics
- Self employment
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- 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.
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RECREATION RETAILING
- Management
- Buying
- Small Business Ownership
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- Department stores
- Specialty shops
- Sporting goods stores
- Outdoor outfitters
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- 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.
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EDUCATION
- Teaching
- Research
- Coaching
- Administration
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- Universities/colleges
- Elementary/secondary schools
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- 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.
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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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Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2003) |
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