What can I do with a recreation, park, and leisure studies degree?
Students graduating with a major in recreation, park, and leisure studies develop many transferable skills and can use their education in a variety of fields!
Below is a list of potential employers and career opportunities for recreation, park, and leisure studies. This is not an exhaustive listing. The world of work is always evolving and over time job titles and work settings can change.
Potential employers
Commercial recreation
- airlines
- aquatic facilities
- businesses
- convention services
- cruise lines
- event planning
- ecotourism agencies
- fitness centers
- golf courses
- guide services
- ice arenas
- outdoor outfitters
- party services
- rafting companies
- recreation centers
- resorts and hotels
- sport clinics
- sporting goods stores
- sports events
- theme parks
- travel companies
- travel/tourism bureaus
- tourism facilities
- tourism planning agencies
- vendors
Outdoor education and recreation
- camps
- challenge courses
- college outdoor programs
- environmental education centers
- federal government
- interpretive centers
- local government
- nature centers
- outdoor programs/business
- outdoor tripping organizations
- recreation facilities
- state government
Public park and recreation management
- after school programs
- arenas
- city parks
- city recreation departments
- community centers
- conservation organizations
- county parks
- county recreation departments
- department of defense
- DNR
- federal/state forests
- federal/state government
- forest resources
- military recreation
- nonprofit youth agencies
- public parks
- swim centers
- youth sport programs
Therapeutic recreation (This emphasis area is no longer accepting new applicants)
- camps
- community programs
- correctional facilities
- educational facilities
- geriatric care facilities
- group homes
- hospitals
- mental health centers
- nursing homes
- outdoor recreational programs
- psychiatric facilities
- recovery centers
- rehabilitation centers
- residential facilities
- senior centers
- senior living facilities
- substance abuse centers
Career opportunities in recreation, park, and leisure studies degree
Commercial recreation
- buyer
- campground director
- commercial recreation manager
- commercial recreation staff
- convention manager
- cruise director
- event manager/planner
- facility manager
- golf course manager
- private club staff
- program manager
- promotions/marketing
- resort staff/management
- sales
- small business owner
- tour guide
- travel support staff
Outdoor education and recreation
- adventure education
- adventure travel coordinator
- camp counselor
- camp management
- environmental educator
- naturalist
- outdoor educator
- outdoor facilities manager
- park maintenance manager
- park management
- recreation leader
- recreation programmer
- summer camp director
- wilderness survival teacher
Public park and recreation management
- administrator
- community center director
- facility manager
- fish/game warden
- natural resource management
- park /forest ranger
- program manager
- recreation administrator
- recreation facilities manager
- recreation program director
- water resource manager
- wildlife manager
- youth agency director
- youth athletic coordinator
- youth services worker
Therapeutic recreation (This emphasis area is no longer accepting new applicants)
- activity therapist
- administrator
- director of therapeutic recreation
- recreation therapist
- therapeutic recreation specialist
Recreation, park, and leisure studies career Web sites
For assistance clarifying your career direction, or for assistance regarding internships, job searches, and résumé writing, visit the ETC Services center in Appleby Hall 127 or call 612-625-3339 to schedule an individual appointment with a career counselor.
September 2007