Chapter 18 The Nature of Recreation and Leisure as a Profession 18 The Nature of Recreation and Leisure as a Profession Denise M. Anderson C H A P T E R

Learning Outcomes Describe the benefits of the profession to both society as well as the individual practitioner Outline the six criteria of a profession Define what is meant by a human services profession (continued)

Learning Outcomes (continued) Explain career planning and the nine steps of career positioning List seven current trends in the recreation and leisure services profession

Characteristics of the Recreation and Leisure Services Profession Social value and purpose Public recognition Specialized professional preparation (continued)

Characteristics of the Recreation and Leisure Services Profession (continued) Existence of a professional culture Credentialing and standards Code of ethical practice

Human Services Profession Direct service provider Information provider Advocate Facilitator or educator

Career Planning Education –Accreditation –Two-year and four-year degrees Networking and mentoring –Formal and informal (continued)

Career Planning (continued) Getting your feet wet –Internships and practica –Part-time work and volunteering Professional certifications and continuing education –Certified parks and recreation professional (CPRP) –Certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS) (continued)

Career Planning (continued) Membership in professional associations –Networking –Annual meetings and conferences –Continuing education

Recreation and Leisure Services Majors Get Hands-On Learning

Career Positioning Proximity –Proximity to people –Proximity to place –Proximity to organization –Proximity regarding knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOCs) (continued)

Career Positioning (continued) Being proactive Thinking evaluation –Gap analysis of KSAOCs and job requirements Bridging –Vertical –Horizontal (continued)

Career Positioning (continued) Professional networking –Networking events –Professional family Casing the joint –Growth and hiring trends –Understand the big picture of the field –Understand the specific organization and position (continued)

Career Positioning (continued) One-on-one interview Formal interview Communication tools

Attending Professional Conferences Provides Networking Opportunities

Changes in the Field Vision, insight, and planning (VIP) –Promotes recreation and leisure services –Focuses on goals and outcomes related to recreation and leisure services Environmental sustainability and stewardship –Meeting current needs with future in mind –Cooperative planning and management to protect resources –Conservation –Ecotourism (continued)

Changes in the Field (continued) Health and wellness –Obesity crisis –“No child left inside” –National Physical Activity Plan Leisure, aging, and the baby boomers –Highly educated participants –“Ulyssean living” –Volunteering –Engagement with higher education (continued)

Changes in the Field (continued) Technology –Social media –Second life –Evaluation Growth of sport –Sport tourism –Economic impact Inclusion –Diversity beyond people with disabilities –Changes in perception of the traditional family