So since I am new to the whole Campus Recreation world, I’ve had to do a lot of research on certifications and qualifications you need to become a director of a campus recreational center. Also, I’ve been looking at the stepping stone jobs to becoming a director, and this is the research that I have found thus far..

http://www.opsisarch.com/blog/project/unm-student-recreation-center-2/

Hey Campus Rec Bloggers!

One of the stepping stone jobs to becoming a director is the position of Competitive Sports Coordinator. This individual has to be CPR/AED certified and have a certification in some kind of group exercise. This candidate must also have a Master’s degree in some kind of recreation or sports management. This position basically runs the university’s intramural program and their club sports program. They play an important role in training and supervising the student participants and employees. They have to possess great leadership qualities and take on many responsibilities. This position has to be filled by someone who doesn’t mind working weekends or nights. I feel like this job description describes what I do now at the Tarleton Rec Center, and I believe this will be my next stepping stone to becoming a director.

Another stepping stone job to becoming a director is the Assistant Director. There are many things that come with this job position. They are responsible for overseeing and managing all parts of the rec center. This individual provides insight as well as make decisions for duties that fall into  the fitness department. It has the same requirements as the Competitive Sports Coordinator, but you have to have more experience in all areas of the recreational center to fit this position. That includes outdoor pursuits, marketing, front desk, memberships, and etc.

It is actually very hard to find campus recreation jobs. A very popular website to research job openings in the Recreation field is Blue Fish Jobs. NIRSA is a recreational association that runs the website, and they show job and internship openings all across the United States.

If I receive one of these positions, my main goal will be to market our recreational center in a way that attracts the students. In the Recreational Sports Journal, results showed that participation in campus rec had influenced their decision to attend the university or not. Some students take one look at a recreational center, and fall in love. I want that to be my recreational center one day, and I want it to be well known and respected on campus. So every day I’m working my graduate assistantship for Competitive Sports at Tarleton, I know that I’m one step closer to the next stepping stone.

References:

Picture- http://www.opsisarch.com/blog/project/unm-student-recreation-center-2/

Recreational Sports Journal, Official Journal of the NIRSA Foundation, (2013). The Perceived Benefits of Participating in Campus Recreation Programs and Facilities: A Comparison Between Undergraduate and Graduate Students.

http://careercenter.bluefishjobs.com/