This guide contains only a partial list of occupational titles and career fields that may be of interest to students considering a physical education and recreation major.  In addition to the skills and knowledge gained through your college course work in this major, you may also need to acquire career related work experience, additional work related skills and or additional education.  Some of the occupations require an advanced degree to enter the field.

After you have identified possible occupations of interest to you, it is important to investigate the nature of work; education and training requirements; skills and special talents needed; types of employers; future trends and employment outlook related to each of these careers.  

We have set up links to internet sites that provide detailed descriptions of these occupations.   You may also want to research these occupations by reading the books and literature available in the Philadelphia House Career Resource Library, by talking with individuals working in the field, and by contacting related professional associations.

This guide also provides information about obtaining related work experience including links to possible internships. However for the best information on current, local internships contact Sally Cardenas, Director of Internships and Community-Based Learning at 562-464-4533 or email her at scardenas@whittier.edu.

Career Options

Note: (2) refers to second information link for occupational title

Typical Employers

Camps and parks, colleges and universities, community organizations, fitness centers, forest service, government agencies, hospitals, hotels and resorts, magazines and newspapers, non-profit organizations, nursing homes, physical rehabilitation hospitals, professional sports teams, public and private schools, radio and TV stations, ranches, recreation centers, retirement communities, social service agencies, sports and health clubs, therapeutic recreation offices, treatment centers, youth organizations

Liberal Arts Related Occupations
(Click here for more options.)

Marketable Skills Related to PER Major

• Leadership, programming and administration skills
• Managing, organizing and meeting deadlines
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Proficient in interpersonal communication; persuading/influencing; selling; teaching; helping people
• Ability to read and write articulately
• Thorough knowledge of community resources
• Ability to interact effectively with people of different backgrounds in various situations
• Understanding of human behavior

Getting Career Related Work Experience

To be competitive in today's job market and to improve your qualifications for graduate school, gaining career related work experience while you are a college student is very important.  Career related work experience can include various forms of paid and volunteer experience (i.e. internships, some work study positions, summer or part-time jobs in your career field of interest, possibly fellowships, and some volunteer positions)

Physical Education and Recreation Related Internships

Sources of Career Information

Career Information Links on the Internet

• Social Science Information Links
• Social Service Information Links
• Links to Professional Associations 

Graduate School Resources

• General Graduate School Resources
• Sports and Recreation program links
• Education program links