Recreation Workers: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview Recreational activity needs to be planned and organized depending on the age of a person as well as their emotional and physical health. Those who are involved in helping people out with their recreation activities are known as recreation workers. Recreation supervisors, recreation center directors, recreation or activity leaders, recreation aides, recreational therapists, camp counselors and social directors are all considered as recreation workers.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
Most of the positions as a recreation worker require the applicant to be at least a high school graduate and /or with an associate’s degree in social work, parks and recreation or other human service discipline. Those who are applying for administrative posts and managerial post would need to have a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree at the very least. Those aspiring to work as a recreation worker need to have a broad knowledge in cultural education and liberal arts like nature study, dance, music, athletics, and drama. Fitness Management, Leisure Studies, Parks and Recreation Management and other related discipline are college courses that an applicant can take to prepare for this career. A solid background in Business Administration is required by most employers in industrial recreation. Depending on their specialty, some recreation workers are required to have a certification like those who teach swimming. They need to present a lifesaving certification. Certifications are given by National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) to those who meet the standards and who are competent.
Skills and Abilities
It is important to have a good health when pursuing a career in recreation. They need to have the stamina and energy to perform recreation activities. They should have an outgoing personality and have a strong desire to work with different types of people. They need to have strong leadership skills and can easily influence others. It is also important that they stay focused and calm especially in emergency cases.
Duties
The duty of a recreation worker depends on their designation. For recreation supervisors, they are responsible in planning programs for the needs of the people.
It is their duty to make sure that recreation workers guide the people they handle in performing the program. Recreation leaders work with different groups of people, and they also lead the group in performing the activities. They provide instructions, direct and help train volunteer, as well as organize activities. For hotel and resort guests, social directors organize their recreational activities. For children and adults who prefer nature-oriented recreational activities, they are supervised by camp counselors.
Earnings and Job Outlook
Average income of recreation worker is 19,320 U.S. dollars annually. Managers and even recreational therapists can earn more. Increased in income and leisure time of people will create high demands for recreation workers. People are more aware of how important recreation is , so they consult and hire recreation workers to assist them and conduct the inclusive activities based on their needs. Competition in this field is tough, since better opportunities are given to college graduates, and those who have a formal training in recreation.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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Word Count: 546 Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2010 Time: 4:34 AM
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