Assessing Career Options in the Fields of Health, Physical Education and Recreation By Langley C. Lewis, M.Ed.
May 30, 2015
Assessing Career Options in the Fields of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
Assessing Career Options in the Fields of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
By Langley C. Lewis, M.Ed.
Health, Physical Education and Recreation cluster disciplinesHealth, Physical Education and Recreation cluster disciplines Athletic Training Coaching Physical Education Health Education/Promotion Exercise Science Sports Management Dance Recreation/Leisure
Entry level requirements for the career cluster disciplinesEntry level requirements for the career cluster disciplines
Enjoy watching and participating in sports, recreational and fitness activities
Have an interest in health and in helping people improve their health
Have good personal health, fitness and energy levels
Acquire appropriate training and education Be willing to keep learning and updating your
skills and knowledge
Opportunities using locally available training Opportunities using locally available training Youth sports coach or referee Lifeguard Swimming instructor Camp counselor Playground monitor Recreation class teacher (for example: Zumba,
Pilates, aerobics, dance, spinning, martial arts, and yoga)
College level education in the career clusterCollege level education in the career cluster required general education courses specified by the college 2 semesters of Human Anatomy and Physiology content and methods courses for the discipline selected supporting courses in related disciplines (for example:
business and accounting for Sports Management, statistics for Exercise Science and travel and tourism for Recreation/Leisure)
electives to fill out the remaining hours needed for graduation
A bit of adviceA bit of advice
Investigate potential college programs carefully as there are many and they vary
Become familiar with the requirements and figure out what you must do to meet them
Try out a few classes to see if you like the field and can envision yourself in it
Talk to practitioners in your field of interest
Five Question Categories to Think AboutFive Question Categories to Think About Category 1: Where do you want to work? Category 2: With whom do you wish to work? Category 3: How physically active in your work
life do you want to be? Category 4: What kind of work schedule do you
want to have? Category 5: What specialty best fits your
interests and strengths?
Category 1 QuestionsCategory 1 QuestionsWhere do you want to work? At a school In the community In researchWhat physical conditions suit you best? Indoors Outdoors In town or local area In the wilderness
Category 2 Questions:Category 2 Questions:With whom do you want to work? children youth adults senior adultsHow do you wish to work with them? in small groups In large groups work with the same groups over time work with different groups over time
Category 3 Questions:Category 3 Questions:
How physically active in your work life do you want to be?
very activeaverage-a mix of active and sedentarynot very active
Category 4 Questions:Category 4 Questions:
What kind of work schedule do you want?daytime or school day hoursevenings and/or weekendssome travel involved full time in the cluster careerpart time in addition to another career
Category 5 Questions:Category 5 Questions:
What specialty best fits your interests and strengths?
Athletic Training can cope with injuries and suffering has physical strength and stamina has problem solving skills has caregiver qualities has motivational skills
Category 5 Questions: part 2Category 5 Questions: part 2
Coaching: has in depth knowledge and experience with the
sports you plan to coach has good communication skills has good people skills has patience
Category 5 Questions: part 3Category 5 Questions: part 3
Physical Education: has knowledge of many different sports and
fitness activities enjoys teaching others has patience has people skills has motivational skills has a high level of energy
Category 5 Questions: part 4Category 5 Questions: part 4
Health Education/Promotion:has scientific interests and skillsenjoys teaching and community workhas good communication skillshas a strong interest in and commitment to
health
Category 5 Questions: part 5 Category 5 Questions: part 5
Exercise Science: has scientific and research skills and interests can communicate well in speaking and writing has perseverance has a strong desire to apply research to the
cluster fields
Category 5 Questions: part 6Category 5 Questions: part 6
Sports Management:has an interest and aptitude in businesshas knowledge of the sports, facilities and
athletes to be managedhas people skillshas motivational skills
Category 5 Questions: part 7Category 5 Questions: part 7
Dance:has a high degree of personal skill in and
knowledge of your form of dancehas an ability to learn and adapt quicklyhas good communication skillshas an ability to stay focused during
rehearsals and performances
Category 5 Questions: part 8Category 5 Questions: part 8
Recreation and Leisure: has knowledge of many different recreational
skills has good people skills has good communication skills enjoys teaching and leading in informal settings has patience
In conclusion:In conclusion:
Do some research on cluster fields that seem to fit you best.
Investigate training and educational options.Talk to and observe practitioners in the field.Try out some of the activities as a participant.If you want to pursue them further, try learning to
coach or teach them.Keep yourself fit and enjoy the exploration process.
Works cited:Works cited:
Allen, B., Blann, W., Caravella, T., Everitt, A., Politano, V., Spacht, R., & Sweeney, M.
(2012). Professional Fields of Study in Sport and Movement Studies. Retrieved from http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/careers/fieldsofstudy.cfm
Clipart of soccer ball courtesy of Flomar,(2007, December 8). Retrieved from Creative Commons Open Clip Art Library (now in public domain).