Career Compass: Recreation Management and Community Development

As student in the Recreation Management and Community Development program, you will be learn about the broad field of recreation management from a leisure perspective. As leisure and recreation are now recognized as essential components of healthy communities and improved quality of life, careers in leisure and recreation are in high demand. The Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management has many opportunities for you to explore, including a supervised fieldwork experience, a minor in recreation studies, an option in aging and four areas of study: community development, tourism, sport and event management, and outdoor recreation.

Skills you will gain by studying RECREATION MANAGEMENT and COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

• An understanding of the impact that recreation and leisure activities have on community development, environmental preservation and management, economic growth, as well as social growth and cultural development.
• The ability to apply recreation and leisure principles to new concepts of professional practice.
• The ability to plan, create and implement a variety of recreation and leisure programs for diverse populations.
• The ability to communicate effectively by promoting the importance of health and wellness to the public.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
KPER 1200 and KPER 1400, PSYC 1200, SOC 1000, STAT 1000, plus 12 credit hours of electives*

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management 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.

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 and UMSU.
2. Volunteer for UM Orientation events to help welcome new students to campus while gaining experience or seek out opportunities with Recreation Services and Bison Sport.
3. Student work opportunities including 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.

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 or learn about local agencies via 211 Manitoba.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
KPER 2120, KPER 2170, KPER 2200 and KPER 2350, REC 2400, 3 of the following: REC 2100, REC 2130, REC 2150, REC 2170, or REC 2650 plus an additional 6 credit hours of electives*

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management to help you plan your program.
2. Consider taking the Option in Aging to expand your area of study.

CAREER TIPS

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Become a Student Affiliate with Recreation Connections Manitoba and attend the Therapeutic Recreation Professional Development Day.
4. Develop professional connections with professors by inquiring about research assistant positions.

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

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

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

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Check out Boys & Girls Clubs of Winnipeg, Folklorama, KidSport, Rec and Read Mentorship Program, and Right To Play.

Obtain certificates employers may require, including: First Aid/CPR, High Five, 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 Parks and Protected Areas Travel Study program, 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. Consider learning a new language and culture through the Language Partner Volunteer Program.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
KPER 3100, KPER 3460 and KPER 3630, REC 3072, REC 3180, REC 3220, REC 3850, 3 credit hours of advanced recreation courses, plus an additional 6 credit hours of electives*

To do this year:

1. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management for program approval.
2. Register for the Supervised Fieldwork Experience and attend the Fieldwork Experience Tradeshow.

CAREER TIPS

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Explore supports available to entrepreneurs for business planning including the Stu Clarke Centre for Entrepreneurship, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Government
4. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.

Consider continuing your studies: Check out the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Extended Education or other academic institutions.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Continue or start research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition and/or inquire about KPER 4600 (Directed Study).

Check out student job opportunities with: Active Living Centre, the City of Winnipeg and Mini U, Parks Canada and Sport Manitoba.

Search for job opportunities online: Check out Manitoba Fitness Council, Recreation Manitoba, Sport Manitoba and other job posting sites.

Use your networks and connections: Inquire about unadvertised job openings (the "hidden job market").

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 and off campus such as the Intercultural Leaders Program, Leaf Rapids: Northern Community Engagement, or take part in the Graduation Pow Wow.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
KPER 4020, KPER 4100 and KPER 4630 or KPER 4632 & KPER 4634, REC 4072, 3 credit hours of advanced recreation courses, plus an additional 6 credit hours of electives*

To do this year:

1. Obtain current First Aid and CPR certification to meet degree exit requirement.
2. 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 take required tests. Use the awards database to 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

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

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

• Community Development Officer
• Community Relations Manager
• Conference and Event Planner
• Cruise/Resort Recreation Director
• Cultural Affairs Officer
• Cultural Resource Manager
• Fundraiser
• Heritage Interpreter
• Health Promotion Coordinator
• Immigrant Settlement Worker
• Intelligence Officer (CSIS)
• Life Skills Coach
• Marketing Coordinator
• Municipal Heritage Consultant
• Provincial/National Park Manager
• Recreation Facility Manager
• Recreation Program Manager
• Recreation Therapist
• Therapeutic Recreation Facilitator
• Tour Operator
• Tourism Development Officer 
• Travel Consultant
• Sports Event Coordinator
• Youth Program Coordinator

Options requiring other education

• Fitness Instructor
• High Performance Coach
• Occupational Therapist
• Social Worker
• Teacher
• University Professor
• Urban and Regional Planner

Industries such as culture and leisure, health and wellness, and travel and tourism would value a degree in recreation management and community development in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

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

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.