August 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 51

Other Perspectives
Educators, administrators, and young professionals all offered a
variety of comments on the changing nature of parks and recreation
degree programs and the potential long-term effects on the field.

Educators

Administrators

Young Professionals

As a seasoned accreditation visitor, my
observation is that the narrowing of focus
has some value in marketing the degree
programs, but there is very limited
connection to the employment
opportunities. Tourism was " hot " during
the 1990s, but graduates worked in
traditional park and recreation agencies.
Sport management has become the
trendy focus during the first decade of
the new century, but graduates work in
traditional park and recreation agencies.
In my opinion, the segmentation of the
discipline has weakened the central core
of the discipline. Much as with therapeutic
recreation, the segmentation has resulted
in separation.

I for one know that I am definitely looking
for those outside the degree of parks and
recreation as well as those inside-
because my department isn't just focused
on parks and recreation anymore!...We
aren't our grandfathers' parks and
recreation and I'm not sure that one
degree facilitates all the needs within a
comprehensive parks and recreation or
leisure services department any more.

As a recent graduate (May 2010), I feel
that the recent focus in alternative areas
is an effort to bring more students in
under the parks and recreation umbrella.
By expanding into sports management
and tourism, I think it shows students
really how broad and diverse the
profession is.

-Lowell Caneday,
Oklahoma State University

Having taught within two parks and rec
departments that blended-in alternative
specialties, I can say with confidence that
students interested in sports admin, for
example, have no interest in-and often
are resistant to-the traditional parks and
rec curriculum.
-Kim S. Uhlik,
San Jose State University

The question is not so much about the
focus on alternatives, but what will
graduates of the alternatively titled
programs be called upon to do and need
to do personally and professionally,
intrinsically and extrinsically, and will they
have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and
habits of mind to be successful. Which is
always a good question for any field,
including those of us in traditional
recreation and park programs.
-Glen Bishop,
Arkansas Tech University

	

-Joseph R. Abel, CPRP, Seminole County
Leisure Services Department

In New England we have seen many
students who focus on sports
management while in college. It's more
glamorous (I'm going to be working for a
major sports team). Unfortunately, they
are graduating with limited employment
opportunity. Some of these graduates are
now seeking employment in community
recreation and they do not have the
practical skills required to do the job.
-Peggy Hannon-Rizza CTRS, CMPRP,
Town of Billerica Recreation Department

No matter what the field of study, pursuing
a degree (whether it is undergraduate or
advanced) will help you to be a better
employee and to compete more fully in the
workplace. Education opens doors to a
myriad of different opportunities within
our profession. Mastering fundamental
skills is often the most important part of
the educational process: critical thinking,
research, analysis, and the ability to
successfully complete a long term goal and
see it to fruition. In the end, I don't think it
is as important what you study, but that
you study . . .
-Mick Calarco, Parks and Recreation
Department, City of Carlsbad, CA

www.NRPA .ORG

-Benjamin S. McDaniel, CPRP,
City of Aiken Parks, Recreation & Tourism

I think the looming issue really is letting
the stellar talent that is coming out of the
parks and recreation degree areas leave
for other fields due to the lack of financial
security entry level jobs in our field
have....Some of my top students are
leaving the field because of the financial
difficulties of staying in our field. The end
result, sometimes, is that the best talent
leaves for the best job and the parks and
recreation entry level position that pays
minimum wage is only attracting the
individuals that did not have the skills,
intelligence, and vast array of talents.
-Michael Bradley,
Oklahoma State University

For more comments
and to weigh in with your
own thoughts, see the
General Questions Forum
at NRPA Connect at
http://nrpaconnect.org/vb/
showthread.php?t=61.

AUGUST 2011

Parks & Recreation	 49
August 2011 - Parks & Recreation

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