Administration/Management
Programming
Evaluation and documentation
Staff supervision
Specialties:
Intervention, aquatic, outdoor, art, arts and crafts, drama, dance, and movement
Rehabilitation hospitals/Centers
Nursing homes
Senior centers
Adult daycare centers
Assisted living facilities
Residential facilities
Psychiatric facilities
Community mental health centers
Substance abuse centers
Recovery centers
Correctional facilities
Educational facilities
Camps and outdoor recreational programs
Pursue a major in therapeutic recreation or a program with a therapeutic recreation focus.
Volunteer and intern in therapeutic recreation settings such as camps, senior centers, and rehabilitation facilities.
Demonstrate ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team with physicians, nurses, physical, and occupational therapists.
Earn relevant licensure or certification; regulation varies by state. Research the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential offered through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
Consider specializations in areas such as aquatics, intervention, outdoor recreation, and art therapy.
Exhibit patience, creativity, motivational skills, and a high comfort level working with people of all ages including those who are sick or disabled.
Screening
Evaluation
Treatment:
Physical
Psychosocial
Social
Vocational
Follow-up
Administration
Teaching
Research
Hospitals: psychiatric and rehabilitative
Schools
Group or private practice
Nursing homes/Residential career facilities
Community mental health centers
Adult daycare programs
Job training centers
Residential care providers
Out-patient rehabilitation facilities
Home healthcare agencies
Federal and state government:
Armed Forces
Public Health Service
Veterans Administration
Universities and colleges
Build a solid foundation in physical, biological, and behavioral sciences.
Develop excellent communication skills which are important when interacting with patients and their families.
Volunteer in an occupational therapy or related healthcare setting to experience the field first-hand and meet program requirements.
Individuals working in occupational therapy should possess patience and a true interest in helping people with disabilities reach their full potential.
Learn to work well within a team. O.T.’s work with many other professionals in the rehabilitation of patients.
Earn a master’s (MOT, MA, MS) or doctoral (OTD, less common) degree from an accredited program by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
Doctoral degree is often preferred for university teaching and administrative positions.
All states regulate O.T. licensure. Requirements include passing a certification exam given by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board and a supervised clinical internship. Those who have passed the exam apply to become Occupational Therapists Registered (OTR).
Occupational therapists may choose to specialize in a particular age group or type of disability after passing national exam certification.
Resort and private recreation administration
Guest relations
Trip planning and reservations
Sales/Marketing
Event/Program planning and evaluation
Facilities management
Convention services
Event planning companies
Corporate employee services
Hotels
Resorts
Theme/Amusement parks
Casinos
Country clubs
Motor home parks
Campgrounds
Boating/Marina facilities
Second home communities
Travel/Tourism companies
Guide services
Ecotourism agencies
Cruise, air, bus, and rail lines
US Military morale, welfare, and recreation programs
Develop strong communication and customer service skills and the ability to work well with people from various backgrounds.
Acquire foreign language experience and study abroad to increase multicultural perspective and knowledge of international travel regulations.
Seek employment with resorts, hotels, recreation departments or special events companies.
Pursue positions in reservations or telephone sales to build sales and customer service skills.
Volunteer at university and community-wide conferences.
Join student organizations related to travel or recreation and seek leadership and planning opportunities.
Increase knowledge of business theory by pursuing a minor or by taking additional classes in management, advertising, and public relations.
Administration
Facilities management
Sales/Marketing
Event/Program planning and evaluation
Camp management
Community center management
Coaching
Community centers
Community programs Senior centers
Adult daycare centers
Special Olympics
Youth programs (e.g., YMCA or YWCA)
Sports leagues
Camps and outdoor recreational programs
Nonprofit, social service, and religiously-affiliated organizations
Multipurpose sports clubs
Racquet clubs
Dance studios
Health and fitness clubs
Pools
Golf courses
Sport-related franchises (e.g., Little Gym, My Gym)
Bowling alleys
Skating rinks
Movie theaters
Party services
Entertainment providers
Event planning companies
Festivals and fairs
Vendors
Concessionaires
Seek experience through related internships, part-time jobs, or summer work at campus and community recreational facilities.
Participate in community-based programs, camps, youth groups, etc. through paid, intern, or volunteer positions.
Join student organizations such as campus entertainment board, cultural attractions committee or student union.
Utilize campus recreational programs and facilities, including intramural sports.
Participate in planning/executing community events and activities (e.g., fairs, festivals, sporting events, conventions).
Develop membership sales techniques for some customer-service positions.
Display good planning, organizational, interpersonal, creativity, and public speaking skills.
Learn to work well with people from different backgrounds with varying abilities.
Administration
Program management
Recreation management
Recreation planning
Park development/Management
Natural resource management
City, county, or regional government agencies:
Parks
Public recreation/Education programs
State and federal government agencies:
Parks, forests, wildlife areas, and water resources
Conservation organizations
US Military morale, welfare, and recreation programs
Correctional facilities
Rehabilitation centers
Learn federal, state, and local government job application procedures.
Obtain experience with government agencies.
Earn Certified Park and Recreation Professional Certification (CPRP) from the National Recreation and Park Association
Participate in campus and local recreation programs and activities.
Volunteer to lead teams or organize committees in local recreation leagues.
Take additional coursework in wildlife, turf or natural resource management, exercise science, or other related field to increase marketability.
Administration
Program management
Facilities management
Camp management
Programming
Churches
Synagogues
Mosques
Campgrounds affiliated with religious organizations
Para-church organizations (e.g., Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Crusade for Christ)
Faith-based sports programs (e.g., Upward Sports)
Understand the relationship between religion, sport, and recreation.
Participate in faith-based recreational programs, and seek leadership experience.
Develop skills for working in multi-cultural environments.
Research major programs such, (e.g., AWANA, CYO (Catholic Youth Organization), and Youth Works).
Attend training seminars that target sport and recreation in religious organizations such as Ministry Grid through Lifeway.
Management
Buying/Purchasing
Small business ownership
Department stores
Specialty shops
Pro shops/Club stores
Sporting goods stores
Outdoor outfitters
Take additional coursework in business or pursue a business minor.
Obtain a part-time job or internship in sales to gain experience, as these positions are often stepping stones to higher-level opportunities.
Develop excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
Hone management and persuasion techniques.
Seek experience in all retail areas including purchasing, stock control, merchandise display, and promotions.
Pursue expertise in a recreational area such as hiking, fishing, boating, skiing, or hunting.
Plan to work long or irregular hours, including holidays.
Teaching
Research
Administration
Student affairs:
Student activities
Campus programming
Campus recreation
Colleges and universities
Public and private schools (K-12)
Public and private preschool programs (e.g., Head Start)
Programs servicing children and adults with special needs
Earn a graduate degree for teaching at the college and university level.
Earn a master’s degree in college student affairs or related area if interested in college recreation. Work at university recreational facilities and/or get involved in their programs, such as outdoor recreation or intramurals.
Research the process for teacher certification in the K-12 system, which varies by state.
Seek part-time or summer jobs working with youth.
Serve as a tutor, peer mentor, resident assistant, or student advisor.
An undergraduate degree is sufficient for entry-level recreation positions. A graduate degree may be required for administrative positions and teaching/research positions at universities and colleges.
Obtain summer, part-time, internship, or volunteer experience in camps, recreation/Fitness centers, social service organizations, tourist attractions, etc.
Build a solid background of recreational and leisure theories and therapeutic practices.
Develop broad knowledge base of recreational activities such as athletics, music, arts and crafts, nature, dance, drama, etc.
Hone leadership and supervisory skills for coordinating and directing others in various activities.
Obtain certification in first aid and safety, CPR or life-guarding.
Demonstrate strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and the ability to work on a team.
Learn to interact effectively with people of various ages, backgrounds, and ability levels.
Exhibit physical agility, stamina, and a motivational spirit. An interest in working outdoors is essential for some positions.
Join related professional associations. Attend state/National professional association conferences.
Seek knowledge of U.S. and world geography, history, social customs, and languages for some opportunities.
Consider participating in the Walt Disney College Program.