Career Compass: Physical Education

As a physical education student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, you will learn to help people understand and appreciate the body’s capacity for movement. Studies focus on the physical, mental, social and emotional outcomes of physical activity that positively contribute to health and well-being. Governments, schools and healthcare organizations recognize the importance of physical educators and their promotion of physical activity in chronic disease prevention and the habituation of healthy lifestyles. This three-year program is designed for, but not limited to, those students who wish to teach physical education in the K-12 school system.

To enter the teaching profession, graduates of the Bachelor of Physical Education degree must also enroll in and complete the two-year after-degree certification program in the Faculty of Education, earning a Bachelor of Education degree.

Skills you will gain by studying PHYSICAL EDUCATION

• An understanding of the knowledge, skills and attitudes that define healthy, active lifestyles and enabling others to develop that definition themselves.
• A demonstrated ability to design, deliver and assess physical activities
  and programs.
• The ability to effectively model movement and communicate in writing and verbally with people of all ages.
• The ability to adapt programming to environments, populations and skill levels.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
BIOL 1410 and BIOL 1412, ENGL 1200, KPER 1200 and KPER 1500, 3 credit hours of Mathematics or Statistics, plus 9 credit hours of electives (consider teachable minor)

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor to help you plan your program.
2. If you need academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor.
3. Confirm eligibility requirements for early years, middle years and senior years.

CAREER TIPS

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Set up a UM Connect account to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Explore your Experience Record, an official record of university-approved activities.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups including the Physical Education, Recreation and Kinesiology Student Council, PHE Manitoba and UMSU.
2. Volunteer with Healthy U, local school divisions, YM-YWCA, SWISH Basketball and SPIN Basketball.
3. Student work opportunities including Mini U, Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP).
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers, student-led PHETE conference and the Student Leadership Development Program.
5. Coach a local school or community sports team.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Considering international opportunities? Visit the International Centre web site to learn about international opportunities for UM students.

Explore communities and cultures you want to work with: Visit the Canadian Sport Centre; FKRM Research; Manitoba Indigenous Games; Migizii Agamik; Right to Play; the International Centre or learn about local agencies via 211 Manitoba.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
KPER 2120, KPER 2170, KPER 2200, KPER 2320, KPER 2330, KPER 2540 and KPER 2700, PHED 2442, PHED 2710 and PHED 2742, plus 6 credit hours of electives (consider teachable minor)

To do this year:

1. Consider a professional program. Refer to the Applicant Information Bulletin and meet with an academic advisor to help you plan your pre-professional program.
2. Review requirements for application to the Faculty of Education.
3. Confirm eligibility requirements for early years, middle years and senior years.

CAREER TIPS

Expand your network:

1. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Attend professional and student conferences like the PHE Canada Student Leadership Conference and workshops.
4. Become a student affiliate with the Physical and Health Education Canada and the Manitoba Physical Education Teachers Association.

Market your skills: Develop your resumé and cover letter and refine your interview skills.

Investigate your career options: Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for a research assistant position or Undergraduate Research Award.

Check out student job opportunities with: the City of Winnipeg, community health organizations, the Canada Games Sport for Life Centre, or the Active Living Centre.

Obtain certificates employers may require, including: First Aid/CPR, High Five, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Respect in Sport and the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Consider an international student exchange or a travel study program, Canadian Sport Institute internship, a spring or summer Community Engaged Learning experience, My World Abroad or SWAP for a "working holiday."

Staying local? Work towards receiving NCCP certification by taking summer institute courses: PHED 3522 and PHED 3532. Check out one of the local service-learning programs or participate in the Intercultural Development and Leadership Program. Consider learning a new language and culture through the Language Partner Volunteer Program.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
KPER 3100, KPER 3460, KPER 3470, KPER 3512, KPER 3550, PHED 3122, PHED 3362, PHED 3722, PHED 3732, plus 9 credit hours of electives (consider teachable minor)

To do this year:

1. Basic CPR and First Aid Certification (emergency or standard). This is a degree requirement.
2. Confirm eligibility requirements for early years, middle years and senior years.
3. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor, and declare intent to graduate in Aurora.

CAREER TIPS

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation.

If you are continuing on to graduate school: Finalize your application materials and search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Search for job opportunities online: Check out Sport Manitoba, Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba, Physical and Health Education Canada, Sport Information Resource Centre and other job posting sites.

Continue your research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition.

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying to a professional program.

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships such as the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Did you travel abroad? Become an exchange mentor for the International Student Mentorship Program, join the exchange student community at the University of Manitoba or write an article about your experience.

Participate in the multicultural opportunities on campus: Volunteer for or take part in the Graduation Pow Wow.

Prepare to work in a multicultural environment: Visit Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on campus. Get access to LinkedIn Learning through the Winnipeg Public Library and take courses to develop your cross-cultural intelligence.

Sample jobs with an undergraduate degree and related experience

• Academic Advisor
• Athletics Administrator
• Educational Assistant
• Health and Safety Officer
• Health Education Specialist 
• Medical Sales Representative
• Personal Trainer
• Police Officer
• Recreation Programmer
• Research Assistant
• Sports Coach
• Sports Scout
• Student Leadership Coordinator
• Volunteer Coordinator 
• Workers’ Compensation Adjuster
• Workplace Wellness Coordinator
• Youth Program Supervisor

Options requiring other education

• Athletic Therapist
• Chiropractor
• Health Policy Analyst
• Human Resource Consultant
• Lawyer
• Naturopathic Doctor
• Occupational Therapist
• Physician
• Physical Therapist
• Podiatrist
• Prosthetist/Orthotist
• Respiratory Therapist
• Social Worker
• Sports Equipment Designer
• Teacher
• University Professor

Industries such as business, education, government and healthcare would value a physical education degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Written and oral communication
• Teamwork
• Industry specific knowledge
• Continuous learning
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Numeracy and data use
• Digital technology

Attain skills through your classroom education and take advantage of experiential education opportunities.

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.