What can I do with this degree?
RECREATION AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT

AREAS

COMMERCIAL RECREATION/TOURISM

• Travel/Transportation
• Hospitality
• Facilities Management
• Resort Management
• Event Planning
• Local Commercial Recreation>
• Promotions and Specials Events
• Facilities Management

EMPLOYERS

• 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

STRATEGIES

• 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.

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION

• Program Coordination
• Administration

EMPLOYERS

• 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

STRATEGIES

• 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

EMPLOYERS

• 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

STRATEGIES

• 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

EMPLOYERS

• 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

STRATEGIES

• 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

EMPLOYERS

• Fitness centers
• Corporate fitness centers
• Weight reduction facilities
• Sports and entertainment centers
• Athletic clubs
• Adult care facilities
• Sports clinics
• Self employment

STRATEGIES

• 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

EMPLOYERS

• Department stores
• Specialty shops
• Sporting goods stores
• Outdoor outfitters

STRATEGIES

• 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

EMPLOYERS

• Universities/colleges
• Elementary/secondary schools

STRATEGIES

• 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.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer