Career Opportunities
Recreation Studies Faculty Member, Joanne Edey-Nicoll recently completed a research project on careers in recreation. This project, done in collaboration with the British Columbia Parks and Recreation Association, gives an overview of the career opportunities and earning potentials for recreation professionals. Click here to be directed to Recreation: A Career with Purpose.
The market for trained recreation professionals is expanding. Changes in patterns of leisure time and growth in organized and spontaneous recreational activities have increased demands on recreational facilities and resources.
These trends have created attractive employment, reasonable remuneration, fringe benefits, significant vacation allowances and opportunities for self-development and advancement. Employment and contracting opportunities are available to graduates within:
- community centres
- ice arenas, aquatic facilities, seniors’ centres, golf courses, ski hills and fitness centres
- tourism
- health and wellness
- YMCAs and YWCAs
- arts and cultural organizations
- boys and girls clubs
- sports organizations
- neighbourhood houses
- provincial, regional and municipal parks
Sample Recreation Careers
Here are just a few samples of careers that graduates from the Recreation Leadership Diploma Program enter following graduation (varies according to previous experience, educational focus and career goals):
Entry Level Leader
- Youth Worker
- Community Sport - administrator and organizer
- Program Leader
- Head Lifeguard
- After-school Worker
- Programming Assistant
- Special Event Associate
- Tour Guide
Entry Level Supervision
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Programmer / Program Planner
- Manager of Guest Services
- Golf Services Supervisor
- Special Events Planner
- Facility Supervisor
- Health and Wellness Coordinator
- Marketing and Promotion Associate
- Food and Beverage Operations Supervisor
- Arena Manager
- Stadium Supervisor
- Aquatics Supervisor
