Career Compass: Physical Education

Year 1 - 30 Credit Hour

Course requirements:
BIOL 1410 and BIOL 1412, ENGL 1200, KPER 1200 and KPER 1500, 3 credit hours of Mathematics or Statistics, plus 9 credit hours of electives (consider teachable minor)

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor to help you plan your program.
2. If you need academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor.
3. Confirm eligibility requirements for early years, middle years and senior years.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Course requirements:
KPER 2120, KPER 2170, KPER 2200, KPER 2320, KPER 2330, KPER 2540 and KPER 2700, PHED 2442, PHED 2710 and PHED 2742, plus 6 credit hours of electives (consider teachable minor)

To do this year:

1. Consider a professional program. Refer to the Applicant Information Bulletin and meet with an academic advisor to help you plan your pre-professional program.
2. Review requirements for application to the Faculty of Education.
3. Confirm eligibility requirements for early years, middle years and senior years.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Course requirements:
KPER 3100, KPER 3460, KPER 3470, KPER 3512, KPER 3550, PHED 3122, PHED 3362, PHED 3722, PHED 3732, plus 9 credit hours of electives (consider teachable minor)

To do this year:

1. Basic CPR and First Aid Certification (emergency or standard). This is a degree requirement.
2. Confirm eligibility requirements for early years, middle years and senior years.
3. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor, and declare intent to graduate in Aurora.

Year 1 - 30 Credit Hours

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Set up a UM Connect account to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Explore your Experience Record, an official record of university-approved activities.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Expand your network:

1. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Attend professional and student conferences like the PHE Canada Student Leadership Conference and workshops.
4. Become a student affiliate with the Physical and Health Education Canada and the Manitoba Physical Education Teachers Association.

Market your skills: Develop your resumé and cover letter and refine your interview skills.

Investigate your career options: Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation.

If you are continuing on to graduate school: Finalize your application materials and search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

Year 1 - 30 Credit Hours

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups including the Physical Education, Recreation and Kinesiology Student Council, PHE Manitoba and UMSU.
2. Volunteer with Healthy U, local school divisions, YM-YWCA, SWISH Basketball and SPIN Basketball.
3. Student work opportunities including Mini U, Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP).
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers, student-led PHETE conference and the Student Leadership Development Program.
5. Coach a local school or community sports team.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for a research assistant position or Undergraduate Research Award.

Check out student job opportunities with: the City of Winnipeg, community health organizations, the Canada Games Sport for Life Centre, or the Active Living Centre.

Obtain certificates employers may require, including: First Aid/CPR, High Five, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Respect in Sport and the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Search for job opportunities online: Check out Sport Manitoba, Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba, Physical and Health Education Canada, Sport Information Resource Centre and other job posting sites.

Continue your research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition.

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying to a professional program.

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships such as the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program.

Cultural experiences offer valuable exposure and learning opportunities that help us engage with and appreciate the diversity in our communities and future workplaces. Learn more about Indigenous and International communities at the University of Manitoba.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Engage in intercultural experiences: Visit the International Centre website to learn more about volunteer opportunities for UM students. Engage in Indigenous cultural learning by attending Indigenous events on campus.

Indigenous Student Programming: If you’re an Indigenous Student, explore supports and programs at the Indigenous Student Centre.  

Interested in studying abroad to gain intercultural experiences and skills employers want? Visit the student exchange programs website and book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator to learn more. Also learn about a full year abroad experience through McCall MacBain International Fellowships.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Applying for an international exchange program?  Students apply almost one year in advance of their exchange. Book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator on the exchange programs website to start the process.

Participate in cultural learning opportunities on campus: Participate in Indigenous learning opportunities such as Fireside Chats, Tea with Auntie, Indigenous Studies Colloquium, and other events within your faculty. Your active and respectful participation is welcome at Indigenous ceremonies on campus. Please note that some ceremonies are confidential spaces; feel free to ask about cultural protocols. 

Join a student community: There are many student groups at UM, including those that represent a wide variety of cultures and communities - the UM Indigenous Students’ Association (UMISA), UM International Students' Organization, and many more!  

Looking to learn a language? Visit the Language Centre for a variety of resources and join the Language Exchange program or Language Partner Volunteer Program.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Participate in the Intercultural Leaders program to enhance cultural awareness and develop intercultural skills for a variety of settings, both in and out of the classroom. Participate in 8 sessions with topics on leadership, self-awareness, intercultural competency, communication, conflict resolution and more.  

Volunteer at the International Centre’s Welcome Mentors program and/or Graduation Pow Wow.

Engage locally: Learn more about the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba and your responsibility as a Treaty partner. Enroll in Community Engaged Learning programs; Indigenous students may wish to explore programs such as Land and Water: Land-Based Education. 

Expand your knowledge on Indigenous culture and protocols, including developing your own Territory Acknowledgement. Explore resources provided by Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and take part in the educational programming offered during Truth and Reconciliation Week!

Expand your knowledge on Indigenous culture and protocols, including developing your own Territory Acknowledgement. Explore resources provided by Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and take part in the educational programming offered during Truth and Reconciliation Week!

Industries such as business, education, government and healthcare would value a physical education degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Written and oral communication
• Teamwork
• Industry specific knowledge
• Continuous learning
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Numeracy and data use
• Digital technology

Attain skills through your classroom education and take advantage of experiential education opportunities.

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.