What can you do with a Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management degree?

First, some facts. Of the Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 81 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 49%, Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management graduates have a much lower likelihood (-18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 49%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 16% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 5%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from Lyndon State College with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Recreation/ Food and Beverage Intern
Vagabond Cruises
Jun 2011 - Sep 2011
The role as a Recreation/Food and Beverage Intern utilizes skills directly related to Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree.

Recreation/ Food and Beverage Intern
Vagabond Cruises
Jun 2011 - Sep 2011
As a Recreation/Food and Beverage Intern, this position again directly applies the knowledge and skills from the Bachelor's program, reinforcing its relevance.

Guest Services Attendant
Beaver Creek Resort 20112001220111
Nov 2011 - Apr 2012
The position of Guest Services Attendant at Beaver Creek Resort may involve some skills related to guest interaction and service, but it is not focused on the core qualifications associated with Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management.

Hourly Associate
Panera Bread
May 2012 - Present
The role as an Hourly Associate at Panera Bread does not require knowledge or skills related to Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management, as it primarily centers on food service and customer interaction.

ABOUT

Self-motivated and experienced resort management professional seeking a full-time job in the resort industry.

What jobs can you get with a Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When taking a closer look at the career paths of individuals who’ve graduated with a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, you’ll see a mixed bag of jobs. While some of these positions are closely aligned with the studies and training provided in their courses, others drift far away, leaning more into unrelated fields such as sales or administrative roles. It’s interesting to see how varied the trajectories can be, often reflecting the individual’s choices rather than a clear cut path dictated by their degree.

One of the most common job roles for these graduates is in program or recreation management, such as the roles of Recreation Assistant, Recreation Coordinator, and Recreation Supervisor. These jobs typically harness the very skills taught in their degree programs, encompassing elements of event planning, facility management, and community engagement. For instance, a Recreation Assistant at a public parks department directly applies their understanding of recreational programming and community needs—this job is essentially the foundation of what they studied. Other roles that appear frequently include Park Ranger positions, which also align closely with the skills learned in their degree as they pertain directly to managing parks and outdoor activities.

On the flip side, a significant number of graduates found themselves in jobs that don’t really tap into their specialized knowledge. Positions in sales (like Sales Representatives or Managers), administrative roles, and even roles in entirely different industries such as pharmaceuticals or engineering pop up quite a bit. For instance, some graduates from this program ended up in management trainee positions in car rentals or insurance companies, which may utilize management and customer service skills but lack direct relevance to their educational background. Many of these roles highlight transferable skills, but still, you can't help but feel that the essence of Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management is lost in those lines of employment.

In summary, while many graduates firmly grasp roles that leverage their education—such as recreation and facilities management positions—there's a noteworthy contingent that veers off into fields that are loosely related to their studies, often relying more on general skills than specific knowledge. This speaks to a broader trend within job markets today, where the connection between degree and occupation can become quite tangential, especially in rapidly evolving industries. Graduates have to navigate these complexities, making the best of their skills, whether they're involved in direct recreation management or finding a place in less conventional roles.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with a degree in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management, there's a lot of variety, but a few trends really stand out. For many graduates, the first job after graduation often relates directly to recreation or event management. For instance, positions like Recreation Assistant or Internships at parks and recreation departments are common entry-level roles. These jobs seem straightforward and relevant to their studies, allowing graduates to gain hands-on experience right away.

However, five or ten years down the line, the picture becomes a bit more mixed. While some individuals find their way into roles that are exciting and directly related to their degree—like Recreation Coordinator or Park Ranger—many others pivot away from these paths into unrelated fields. For instance, we see grads turning into sales representatives or even diving into managerial roles in completely different industries, such as construction or healthcare. This can be quite disheartening because it raises questions about the degree's value in providing a clear career path.

Moreover, while several graduates have stayed within the recreation sector, like working as community outreach coordinators or program managers, there are many who seem to drift into various non-recreation jobs over time. Some have successfully transitioned into roles that utilize their organizational skills and team management, but it feels like many graduates might not be utilizing their specialized training in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management as they originally intended. Overall, while there are promising careers in the field, a significant number seem to end up in roles that are only tangentially related—if at all—after a few years in the workforce.

How hard is a Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management is generally on the easier side compared to some other majors. While you’ll still have to hit the books and do your share of assignments, a lot of the courses focus on practical applications and hands-on experiences, which makes it a bit more enjoyable for many students. You’ll tackle subjects like event planning and facility management that are pretty approachable, especially if you’re passionate about the outdoors and community engagement. So, if you’re looking for a degree that’s challenging but not overwhelming, this one might just be your jam!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management.

Do Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management graduates tend to make good money?

Based on the job histories you've shared, it seems like there’s a mix when it comes to how much money these graduates might be making. For example, folks with roles like "Airline Pilot" or "Sales Directors" probably have higher salaries compared to those working as "Recreation Assistants” or “Park Rangers.” Many of the recent graduates are still climbing the career ladder, taking on entry-level positions or internships, which likely come with lower paychecks. As they gain experience, they might eventually land roles that pay better, especially those that require a specific skill set or leadership experience.

Overall, it’s clear that while some of these graduates are potentially making decent money, especially in management or specialized roles, a significant number are in lower-paying, entry-level jobs or have fluctuating income depending on seasonal roles. It’ll be interesting to see how their careers progress, as many seem to be on paths that could lead to more financially rewarding opportunities in the future!

What buzzwords do Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management (ordered by the average relevance score of their Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count