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| Recreation Workers |
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| Employment Increase: |
38% |
| People In Field: |
282,000 |
| Average Salary: |
$15,645 |
| Qualifications: |
High School, Bachelor's Degree |
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Nature of the Work:
Many people spend some of their leisure time
participating in organized recreation ranging from aerobics or crafts to
hiking or softball. Recreation programs as diverse as the
people they serve are offered at local playgrounds and recreation
areas, parks, community centers, health clubs, churches
and synagogues, camps, theme parks and tourist attractions,
correctional institutions, and a variety of other places.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
Education needed for recreation worker jobs ranges from
a high school diploma, or sometimes less, for many
summer jobs to graduate education for some administrative
positions in large public systems. Fulltime career professional
positions usually require a college degree with a major in parks
and recreation or leisure studies, but a bachelor's degree in
any liberal arts field may be sufficient for some jobs in the
private sector. In industrial recreation, or "employee services" as it
is more commonly called, companies prefer to hire persons
with a bachelor's degree in recreation or leisure studies and a
strong background in business administration.
Job Outlook:
Employment of recreation workers is expected to
grow faster than the average for all occupations through the
year 2005 as growing numbers of people possess both leisure
time and the money to purchase leisure services. There will be
an estimated 282,000 recreation workers by 2005. Growth
in these jobs will also be due to increased interest in fitness
and health and rising demand for recreational opportunities
for older adults in senior centers and retirement
communities. Opportunities for parttime and seasonal jobs are expected
to be plentiful, but competition is likely for full-time career
positions.
Sources of Additional Information:
For information on local government jobs in
recreation, contact the nearest department of parks and recreation.
Ordering information for materials describing careers
and academic programs in recreation is available from:
National Recreation and Park Association
Division of Professional Services
2775 South Quincy St., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22206
The American Association for Leisure and Recreation
publishes information sheets on 25 separate careers in parks
and recreation. For price and ordering information, contact:
AALR
1900 Association Dr.
Reston, VA 22091
For information on careers in employee services and
recreation, contact:
National Employee Services and Recreation Association
2211 York Rd., Suite 207
Oakbrook, IL 60521
For information on careers in camping and summer
counselor opportunities, contact:
American Camping Association
5000 State Rd.
Martinsville, IN 46151
For information on careers with the YMCA, contact:
YMCA of the USA
101 North Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60606
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