Assessing Career Options in the Fields of Health, Physical Education and Recreation

The fields of Health, Physical Education and Recreation form a career cluster of

related disciplines. Practitioners in the cluster fields share a number of common

characteristics and possess a variety of strengths, interests and abilities. The purpose of

this lecture is to examine and evaluate the critical aspects of pursing careers in these

fields.

To enter the career cluster fields you should:

1. enjoy watching and participating in sports, recreational and fitness activities

2. have an interest in health and in helping people improve their health

3. have good personal health habits, fitness and energy levels

4. acquire appropriate training and education

5. be willing to keep learning and updating your skills and knowledge

You can begin work in this field with basic training in the areas of your interest. For

example: a young person with good knowledge and experience with a sport, can train and

serve near home as a referee or assistant coach; a person skilled in aquatics may become

certified and teach swimming and boating lessons through the American Red Cross or the

YMCA; and an outdoorsy person may use some of these skills to work as a summer day

or resident camp counselor. These responsible and fun jobs can serve as a springboard to

future work in the career fields as well as provide summer or part time employment. The

experience gained can help you decide if you wish to pursue further training and

education. If so, you can continue to develop your skills through local and regional

agencies such as the YMCA, the American Red Cross, private sports facilities and

recreation and parks departments. If you wish to pursue a degree, many colleges and

universities offer classes and majors in the Health, PE and Recreation cluster fields.

Most college level Health, PE and Recreation cluster field programs require a core of

classes including a demanding two semester sequence of Human Anatomy and

Physiology. In addition, specific fields will require their own supporting courses such as:

accounting and business for those studying Sports Management, statistics for Exercise

Science and travel and tourism for Recreation and Leisure students. It is wise to

investigate these programs before committing to a school or major. Once you are

enrolled, it is a good idea to take a few courses in the field before finalizing your

decision.

We will now use a series of questions for you to consider. To be satisfied with your

career choice in the short term and your work life in the long term, it is very important

that you answer the questions honestly and thoughtfully.

Question Category 1: Where do you want to work?

What type of setting do you see yourself working in? Do you prefer a school job,

work out in the community or a career in research? What physical conditions suit you

best? Do you hope to work indoors or outdoors; in-town or in the wilderness?

Question Category 2: With whom do you wish to work?

What age group do you want to work with? Do you prefer children, youth, adults or

senior adults? Do you want to work with the well population or with those who are ill or

in need of various therapies? Do you hope to work by yourself, with small groups or with

large groups? Would you like to work with the same groups day to day or with changing

types of groups?

Question Category 3: How physically active in your work life do you want to be?

Do you hope to be very active in your work, somewhat active, or not very active?

Would you be content to have a fairly quiet job, and pursue your own exercise in off

work hours? Do you see yourself doing the activity or helping others to do it? For

example, Coaching may require you to watch more than you play. Will this bother you?

Question Category 4: What kind of work schedule do you want?

Do you plan to work daytime or school day hours? Teaching and research positions

may have “normal” work hours. Do you mind working evenings and or weekends?

Coaching, Recreation and Leisure, Athletic Training and Dance employees often work

outside of “normal” school or office hours. The reason for this is that students and

working adults do these activities before or after school or work and on days off.

Are you willing to travel? Positions working with teams, dance groups or wilderness

expeditions will necessitate this.

Do you desire full time work in the career field or do you plan to enter another career and

do this one on the side? Is your interest in the Health, PE and Recreation fields a serious

full time interest or more of a part time hobby?

Question Category 5: What specialty fits your interests and strengths best?

Athletic Training: You will need: to be able to cope with injuries and suffering,

physical strength, , problem solving abilities, caregiver

qualities, to be a motivator, and spend many hours practicing

your skills.

Coaching: You will need: in depth knowledge of the sports you coach, people skills,

to be a clear communicator, patience and motivational skills.

Physical Education: You will need: knowledge of many different sports and fitness

activities, to enjoy teaching others, patience, people skills,

to be a motivator and a high level of energy.

Health Education/Promotion: You will need: scientific and people skills, to enjoy

teaching and community work and to be a clear and

motivating communicator.

Exercise Science: You will need: scientific, research and testing skills, ability

to communicate well in speaking and writing, perseverance

and a desire to apply your research findings in the career

cluster fields.

Sports Management: You will need: an interest in and aptitude for business, people

skills, knowledge of the sports, facilities and athletes you manage,

and motivational skills.

Dance: You will need: a high degree of personal skill and knowledge in your form of

dance, an ability to stay focused on training and performance, an ability to

learn and adapt quickly and communication and motivational skills.

Recreation and Leisure: You will need: knowledge of many different recreational skills,

people skills, communication skills, patience and to enjoy

teaching and leading in informal settings.

Think over these questions and your answers to them. Do some research on the fields

that seem to fit you the best. Take time to get out in your community and observe and

talk to the practitioners in them. See for yourself if you enjoy what they do and want to

pursue further training and education in order to enter the Health, Physical Education and

Recreation career cluster.

To be happy and successful in the fields of Health, Physical Education and Recreation,

you will need a broad base of understanding of your field and those in your cluster. You

should expect to keep learning and growing as you interact with others and as new

research findings become available. You will collaborate with others and may work in

many different settings in the course of your working life. It will help a great deal if you

like and are enthusiastic about what you do. A large part of the work involves motivating

others and modeling good attitudes and healthy behaviors. Content is both taught and

caught and it is very important that you maintain your own health and fitness.