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

First, some facts. Of the Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies 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 139 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 52%, Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates have a much lower likelihood (-15%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

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

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Also, after graduating, only 18% 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 Studies graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies degree?
• What do Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies degree? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies degree?
• What are the best colleges for Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies?

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

Relevance score: 31% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2017 from University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor's degree in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Installer Union Mechanical Jan 2018 - Sep 2018 The position of Installer at Union Mechanical does not require knowledge or skills in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies, as it focuses on mechanical installations instead. Heating Air Conditioning Service Technician Air Works Heating & Cooling Sep 2018 - May 2019 As a Heating Air Conditioning Service Technician, the job primarily involves technical maintenance skills that are not relevant to the core qualifications of Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. Heating Air Conditioning Mechanic Acosta Heating & Cooling May 2019 - Jul 2020 The role of Heating Air Conditioning Mechanic also requires mechanical expertise unrelated to the field of Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. Project Manager Carolina Crawlspace Pros Jul 2020 - Oct 2021 While the Project Manager position at Carolina Crawlspace Pros may utilize some transferable skills from Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies such as project coordination, it does not directly relate to the primary knowledge areas of the degree. Evaluation Specialist and Co-Owner Self-employed Sep 2021 - Present As an Evaluation Specialist and Co-Owner of a self-employed business, there may be some skills from Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies that are applicable, but the core qualifications of this role do not align directly with the degree. ABOUT Upon gradutating from UNCW, I wanted to be involved in the construction industry. I had heard there was a strong resemblance from military life to that in construction. I also saw much opportunity to provide for my family in the HVAC industry. I began working in the HVAC trade when I returned to Charlotte and I have quickly developed my trade skill. Since beginning in the industry I have shown strong ambition, improving my status with each professional move I have made.

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

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

• Intern
• Event Coordinator
• Recreation Intern
• Recreation Coordinator
• Operations Manager
• Administrative Assistant
• Program Coordinator
• Recreation Leader
• Event Manager
• NFL Wide Receiver

After reviewing a wide array of LinkedIn profiles belonging to individuals with degrees in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies, it seems that several consistent career paths emerge. Many of these graduates have taken on roles that involve organizing and managing recreational activities in various contexts, such as camp directors, recreation coordinators, event managers, and program supervisors. These positions are clearly connected to the skills and knowledge acquired through their education, directly involving aspects of leisure studies, community engagement, and program planning.

However, there are also numerous examples where graduates transitioned into roles less relevant to their field of study. For instance, positions like feed procurement supervisors, administrative assistants, technical support engineers, and marketing directors often appeared in profiles. These jobs typically do not utilize the core competencies gained from a Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies degree. In many cases, graduates found themselves in roles that are primarily business or customer service-focused, indicating a divergence from the core principles of their academic background.

Overall, while the most common types of jobs for those with this degree are closely aligned with their studies in areas such as event planning and recreational programming, a significant number diverged into unrelated fields. This raises an important point: while a degree in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies provides valuable skills, market conditions and personal choices also play critical roles in career trajectories. Therefore, while many succeed in relevant occupations, others end up in roles where their degree has little influence, suggesting that the job market for parks and recreation professionals can indeed be quite competitive and diverse.

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

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

Looking at the various career paths of graduates from Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies programs, it's clear that while some individuals find success in related fields, many end up in positions that don't directly utilize their degree. For a lot of these grads, their first job right after graduation often leans towards roles like recreation assistants, event coordinators, or seasonal positions in parks and recreation departments. For example, graduates from schools like Minnesota State University, Mankato and California State University-Long Beach took on entry-level positions immediately related to their major, showing some initial alignment with their studies. However, it's evident that as time goes on, many of these graduates either move away from the field or take on jobs that are not directly connected to their major.

Five or ten years down the road, the trajectories blur even more. While some alumni secure roles like program managers or recreation therapists, others navigate away from parks and recreation entirely, taking positions in marketing, event management, sales, and various other industries. For instance, a graduate who started as an event coordinator might find themselves in a sales role or in administrative positions outside the recreation field. This trend suggests that while the skills gained during their education can provide a foundation for many types of jobs, the link between their initial career aspirations and later employment may become tenuous, particularly as they gain experience and become more versatile professionals.

In all honesty, while many graduates from these programs do find fulfilling careers in parks and recreation, there’s a notable number who seem to venture off into unrelated fields within a few years. This could stem from limited opportunities in their area of study or perhaps a changing interest as they gain experience in the working world. All in all, pursuing a career in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies can indeed lead to relevant job placements, but it also leaves the door wide open for graduates to redefine their career paths over time.

How hard is a Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies isn’t usually considered super tough compared to some other majors. You’ll definitely have to do your share of studying and assignments, but a lot of the courses are pretty hands-on and practical, which can make learning more enjoyable. You'll cover topics like outdoor recreation, event planning, and leisure behavior, so there’s a mix of fun and serious stuff. It tends to attract people who are passionate about the outdoors and community engagement, so if that’s you, it’ll feel less like hardcore studying and more like diving into things you love. All in all, it's definitely manageable, especially if you're into the subject matter!

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 Studies.

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

When looking at the job histories of these Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates, it’s clear that while some have found decent earnings, others might still be working their way up. For instance, graduates who’ve landed roles as event coordinators, recreation managers, or in administrative positions often start making a reasonable salary, especially if they climb the ladder within organizations like hotels or parks. However, many others seem to be stuck in entry-level positions or have more sporadic job histories, which could suggest lower overall earnings.

In general, those who are actively pursuing careers in recreation management or event planning often show a path that could lead to solid financial stability, especially as they gain experience. Conversely, some of the jobs listed—like a seasonal park aid or various intern roles—suggest that the income may not be very high early on. It’s kind of a mixed bag, but if you love this field, there are definitely avenues to make a good living with time and experience!

What buzzwords do Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies 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 Studies. This may or may not be useful:

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

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