What Can I Do With This Major

Recreation Administration

Recreation Administration is a field of study that emphasizes creating opportunities for exercise, leisure, and health and wellness in a community setting. Coursework often includes social or physical sciences, business courses, criminal justice, and psychology.

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Therapeutic Recreation

Common Career Paths

  • Administration/Management
  • Programming
  • Evaluation and documentation
  • Staff supervision
  • Specialties:
    • Intervention, aquatic, outdoor, art, arts and crafts, drama, dance, and movement

Employers

  • Rehabilitation hospitals/Centers
  • Nursing homes
  • Senior centers
  • Adult daycare centers
  • Assisted living facilities
  • Residential facilities
  • Psychiatric facilities
  • Community mental health centers
  • Substance abuse centers
  • Recovery centers
  • Correctional facilities
  • Educational facilities
  • Camps and outdoor recreational programs

Strategies

  • Pursue a major in therapeutic recreation or a program with a therapeutic recreation focus.
  • Volunteer and intern in therapeutic recreation settings such as camps, senior centers, and rehabilitation facilities.
  • Demonstrate ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team with physicians, nurses, physical, and occupational therapists.
  • Earn relevant licensure or certification; regulation varies by state.  Research the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential offered through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
  • Consider specializations in areas such as aquatics, intervention, outdoor recreation, and art therapy.
  • Exhibit patience, creativity, motivational skills, and a high comfort level working with people of all ages including those who are sick or disabled.

Occupational Therapy

Common Career Paths

  • Screening
  • Evaluation
  • Treatment:
    •    Physical
    •    Psychosocial
    •    Social
    •    Vocational
  • Follow-up
  • Administration
  • Teaching
  • Research

Employers

  • Hospitals: psychiatric and rehabilitative
  • Schools
  • Group or private practice
  • Nursing homes/Residential career facilities
  • Community mental health centers
  • Adult daycare programs
  • Job training centers
  • Residential care providers
  • Out-patient rehabilitation facilities
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Armed forces
  • Public health service
  • Veterans administration

Strategies

  • Build a solid foundation in physical, biological, and behavioral sciences.
  • Develop excellent communication skills which are important when interacting with patients and their families.
  • Volunteer in an occupational therapy or related healthcare setting to experience the field first-hand and meet program requirements.
  • Individuals working in occupational therapy should possess patience and a true interest in helping people with disabilities reach their full potential.
  • Learn to work well within a team.  O.T.’s work with many other professionals in the rehabilitation of patients.
  • Earn a master’s (MOT, MA, MS) or doctoral (OTD, less common) degree from an accredited program by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
  • Doctoral degree is often preferred for university teaching and administrative positions.
  • All states regulate O.T. licensure.  Requirements include passing a certification exam given by the  American Occupational Therapy Certification Board and a supervised clinical internship. Those who have passed the exam apply to become Occupational Therapists Registered (OTR).
    Occupational therapists may choose to specialize in a particular age group or type of disability after passing national exam certification.

Commercial Recreation

Common Career Paths

  • Resort and private recreation administration
  • Guest relations
  • Trip planning and reservations
  • Sales/Marketing
  • Event/Program planning and evaluation
  • Facilities management

Employers

  • Convention services
  • Event planning companies
  • Corporate employee services
  • Hotels
  • Resorts
  • Theme/Amusement parks
  • Group recreation businesses (E.g., bowling alleys, skating rinks, party services)
  • Casinos
  • Country clubs
  • Motor home parks
  • Campgrounds
  • Boating/Marina facilities
  • Second home communities
  • Travel/Tourism companies
  • Guide services
  • Ecotourism agencies
  • Cruise, air, bus, and rail lines
  • US Military morale, welfare, and recreation programs

Strategies

  • Develop strong communication and customer service skills and the ability to work well with people from various backgrounds.
  • Acquire foreign language experience and study abroad to increase multicultural perspective and knowledge of international travel regulations.
  • Seek employment with resorts, hotels, recreation departments or special events companies.
  • Pursue positions in reservations or telephone sales to build sales and customer service skills.
  • Volunteer at university and community-wide conferences.
  • Join student organizations related to travel or recreation and seek leadership and planning opportunities.
  • Increase knowledge of business theory by pursuing a minor or by taking additional classes in management, advertising, and public relations.

Community/Local Recreation

Common Career Paths

  • Administration
  • Facilities management
  • Sales/Marketing
  • Event/Program planning and evaluation
  • Camp management
  • Community center management
  • Coaching

Employers

  • Community centers
  • Community programs/Senior centers
  • Adult daycare centers
  • Special Olympics
  • Youth programs (e.g., YMCA or YWCA)
  • Sports leagues
  • Camps and outdoor recreational programs
  • Nonprofit, social service, and religiously-affiliated organizations
  • Multipurpose sports clubs
  • Racquet clubs
  • Dance studios
  • Health and fitness clubs
  • Pools
  • Golf courses
  • Sport-related franchises (e.g., Little Gym, My Gym)
  • Bowling alleys
  • Skating rinks
  • Movie theaters
  • Party services
  • Entertainment providers
  • Event planning companies
  • Festivals and fairs
  • Vendors
  • Concessionaires

Strategies

  • Seek experience through related internships, part-time jobs, or summer work at campus and community recreational facilities.
  • Participate in community-based programs, camps, youth groups, etc. through paid, intern, or volunteer positions.
  • Join student organizations such as campus entertainment board, cultural attractions committee, or student union.
  • Utilize campus recreational program facilities and intramural sports.
  • Participate in planning/executing community events and activities (e.g., fairs, festivals, sporting events, conventions).
  • Develop membership sales techniques for some customer-service positions.
  • Learn about event management software and social media marketing for community outreach.
  • Display good planning, organizational, interpersonal, creativity, and public speaking skills.
  • Learn to work well with people from different backgrounds with varying abilities.

Government Recreation

Common Career Paths

  • Administration
  • Program management
  • Recreation management
  • Recreation planning
  • Park development/Management
  • Natural resource management

Employers

  • City, county, or regional government agencies:
    • Parks
    • Public recreation/Education programs
  • State and federal government agencies:
    • Parks, forests, wildlife areas, and water resources
    • Conservation organizations
    • US Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs
    • Correctional facilities
    • Rehabilitation centers

Strategies

  • Learn federal, state, and local government job application procedures.
  • Obtain experience with government agencies.
  • Earn Certified Park and Recreation Professional Certification (CPRP) from the National Recreation and Park Association
  • Participate in campus and local recreation programs and activities.
  • Volunteer to lead teams or organize committees in local recreation leagues.
  • Take additional coursework in wildlife, turf or natural resource management, exercise science, or other related field to increase marketability.

Faith-Based Recreation

Common Career Paths

  • Administration
  • Program management
  • Facilities management
  • Camp management
  • Programming
  • Community outreach

Employers

  • Churches
  • Synagogues
  • Mosques
  • Campgrounds affiliated with religious organizations
  • Para-church organizations (e.g., Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Crusade for Christ)
  • Faith-based sports programs (e.g., Upward Sports)

Strategies

  • Understand the relationship between religion, sport, and recreation.
  • Participate in faith-based recreational programs, and seek leadership experience.
  • Develop skills for working in multi-cultural environments.
  • Research major programs such, (e.g., AWANA, Catholic Youth Organization,  and YouthWorks).
  • Attend training seminars that target sport and recreation in religious organizations such as Ministry Grid through Lifeway.

Recreation Retailing

Common Career Paths

  • Management
  • Buying/Purchasing
  • Small business ownership
  • E-commerce
  • Product development

Employers

  • Department stores
  • Specialty shops
  • Pro shops/Club stores
  • Sporting goods stores
  • Outdoor outfitters

Strategies

  • Take additional coursework in business or pursue a business minor.
  • Obtain a part-time job or internship in sales to gain experience, as these positions are often stepping stones to higher-level opportunities.
  • Develop excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
  • Hone management and persuasion techniques.
  • Seek experience in all retail areas including purchasing, stock control, merchandise display, and promotions.
  • Pursue expertise in a recreational area such as hiking, fishing, boating, skiing, or hunting.
  • Plan to work long or irregular hours, including holidays.

Education

Common Career Paths

  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Administration
  • Educational program development
  • Student affairs:
    • Student activities
    • Campus programming
    • Campus recreation

Employers

  • Colleges and universities
  • Public and private schools (K-12)
  • Public and private preschool programs (e.g., Head Start)
  • Programs servicing children and adults with special needs

Strategies

  • Earn a graduate degree for teaching at the college and university level.
  • Earn a master’s degree in college student affairs or related area if interested in college recreation.  Work at university recreational facilities and/or get involved in their programs, such as outdoor recreation or intramurals.
  • Research the process for teacher certification in the K-12 system, which varies by state.
  • Seek part-time or summer jobs working with youth.
  • Through experience and research, develop programs and teaching strategies that cater to diverse learning needs and abilities.
  • Serve as a tutor, peer mentor, resident assistant, or student advisor.

Getting Started and Advancing in Major

  • 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 summer, part-time, internship, or volunteer experience in camps, recreation/fitness centers, social service organizations, tourist attractions, etc.
  • Build a solid background of recreational and leisure theories and therapeutic practices.
  • Develop broad knowledge base of recreational activities such as athletics, music, arts and crafts, nature, dance, drama, etc.
  • Hone leadership and supervisory skills for coordinating and directing others in various activities.
  • Obtain certification in first aid and safety, CPR or life-guarding.
  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and the ability to work on a team.
  • Learn to interact effectively with people of various ages, backgrounds, and ability levels.
  • Exhibit physical agility, stamina, and a motivational spirit. An interest in working outdoors is essential for some positions.
  • Join related professional associations. Attend state/national professional association conferences.
  • Seek knowledge of U.S. and world geography, history, social customs, and languages for some opportunities.
  • Consider participating in the Walt Disney College Program.

Professional Associations

Related Resources

Occupational Outlook

Employment Opportunities