Recreation

A career in recreation offers the opportunity to contribute positively to the health, well-being and happiness of others. Recreation professionals carry out a wide variety of jobs, from running camp programs for children and teenagers, to managing parks and other outdoor resources, to organizing leisure activities in the workplace, on cruise ships, and in community centers.

A career in recreation is also an excellent opportunity to incorporate favorite hobbies and skills into your work life. Do you enjoy tennis, horseback riding or the arts? You might wish to run a residential camp offering these programs to children. Are you passionate about nature? Caring for our nation's many state and national parks is another option to consider. Do you love volunteering with youth, seniors, or special needs populations? With a career in recreation, you can bring enriching activities into the lives of these people in recreational settings across the country.

Many recreation workers have part-time and seasonal positions, which is ideal for college students and others who need a flexible schedule. Full-time recreation positions often involve planning activities and supervising part-time staff, as well as managing recreational resources and developing programs. Positions as leaders, supervisors and directors of recreation activities all require specific administrative and organizational skills apart from engaging with the public or spending time outdoors. If you're interested in this field, a career assessment can help you decide which areas of recreation you are most suited to pursue.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor expects good job growth in the field of recreation over the next decade owing to growing numbers of children and aging baby boomers, as well as to a greater awareness about the positive health impact of recreation on people of all ages. While temporary, part-time and seasonal employment will be strong, full-time career positions in recreation will be a more competitive field requiring strong qualifications to succeed.

A variety of educational paths can prepare you for a career in recreation, such as a degree in parks and recreation; a liberal arts degree with specialization in fields such as drama, art or music; an athletic degree; training in human services or social work; or a master's degree in business or public administration. Although part-time recreation workers are not highly paid on average, with the right qualification you can expect a decent full-time salary and the chance to enrich the lives of others through a career in recreation.