Career Compass: Recreation Management and Community Development

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Course requirements:
KPER 1200 and KPER 1400, PSYC 1200, SOC 1000, STAT 1000, plus 12 credit hours of electives*

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management 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.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Course requirements:
KPER 2120, KPER 2170, KPER 2200 and KPER 2350, REC 2400, 3 of the following: REC 2100, REC 2130, REC 2150, REC 2170, or REC 2650 plus an additional 6 credit hours of electives*

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management to help you plan your program.
2. Consider taking the Option in Aging to expand your area of study.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Course requirements:
KPER 3100, KPER 3460 and KPER 3630, REC 3072, REC 3180, REC 3220, REC 3850, 3 credit hours of advanced recreation courses, plus an additional 6 credit hours of electives*

To do this year:

1. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management for program approval.
2. Register for the Supervised Fieldwork Experience and attend the Fieldwork Experience Tradeshow.

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Course requirements:
KPER 4020, KPER 4100 and KPER 4630 or KPER 4632 & KPER 4634, REC 4072, 3 credit hours of advanced recreation courses, plus an additional 6 credit hours of electives*

To do this year:

1. Obtain current First Aid and CPR certification to meet degree exit requirement.
2. 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. Utilize UM Connect to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Access the UM Experiential Learning Catalogue to explore involvement opportunities on campus. Throughout your studies, access your Experience Record to track and reflect on your competencies.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Become a Student Affiliate with Recreation Connections Manitoba and attend the Therapeutic Recreation Professional Development Day.
4. Develop professional connections with professors by inquiring about research assistant positions.

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

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Explore supports available to entrepreneurs for business planning including the Stu Clarke Centre for Entrepreneurship, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Government
4. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.

Consider continuing your studies: Check out the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Extended Education or other academic institutions.

Year 4 - 120 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 take required tests. Use the awards database to 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 and UMSU.
2. Volunteer for UM Orientation events to help welcome new students to campus while gaining experience or seek out opportunities with Recreation Services and Bison Sport.
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program.
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers, student-led PHETE conference and the Student Leadership Development Program.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

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

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Check out Boys & Girls Clubs of Winnipeg, Folklorama, KidSport, Rec and Read Mentorship Program, and Right To Play.

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

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Continue or start research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition and/or inquire about KPER 4600 (Directed Study).

Check out student job opportunities with: Active Living Centre, the City of Winnipeg and Mini U, Parks Canada and Sport Manitoba.

Search for job opportunities online: Check out Manitoba Fitness Council, Recreation Manitoba, Sport Manitoba and other job posting sites.

Use your networks and connections: Inquire about unadvertised job openings (the "hidden job market").

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

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. 

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

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 culture and leisure, health and wellness, and travel and tourism would value a degree in recreation management and community development in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

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

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.