Many play on one or more of the many intramural teams available. One class goes into elementary school classrooms to help lead sessions. Majors can serve as assistant coaches for athletic teams and sometimes find opportunities to coach in local schools. Our students also help test Special Olympic athletes in soccer, basketball, and track. Today's emphasis on fitness has opened up a variety of new jobs for HPER majors.
Many corporations now provide extensive fitness and physical training services for their employees.
This trend has increased the number of jobs available to graduates whose main option only a few years ago was to teach physical education in schools. Community recreation programs and the growing demand for physical therapy provide other attractive career opportunities. Our majors can gain concrete exposure to their area of interest through a variety of field experiences or internships. Some students spend a semester in an internship through the Chicago Metro Program, working in a corporate fitness program, such as that of the Amoco Corporation. Others serve as community recreation assistants, coaching assistants, student teachers, and physical therapy assistants.