Employers choosing among qualified job applicants may opt to hire the person with a demonstrated record of professional achievement represented by certification. Job Outlook Applicants for full-time career positions in recreation will face keen competition. All college graduates can enter recreation jobs, regardless of major, as well as some high school and junior college graduates, so the number of full-time career jobseekers often greatly exceed the number of job openings. Opportunities for staff positions should be best for persons with job experience gained in part-time or seasonal recreation jobs, together with formal recreation training. Those with graduate degrees should have the best opportunities for supervisory or dministrative positions.
Prospects are better for the large number of temporary seasonal jobs.
These positions, typically filled by high school or college students, do not generally have formal education requirements and are open to anyone with the desired personal qualities. Employers compete for a share of the vacationing student labor force, and, while salaries in recreation are often lower than those in other fields, the nature of the work and the opportunity to work outdoors is attractive to many. Seasonal employment prospects should be good for applicants with specialized training and certification in an activity like swimming. These workers may obtain jobs as program directors. Employment of recreation workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005 as growing numbers of people possess both the time and the money to purchase leisure services.