What can you do with a Recreational Therapy degree from Central Michigan University?

First, some facts. Of the Recreational Therapy graduates from Central Michigan University 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Recreational Therapy graduates from Central Michigan University have a lower likelihood (-6%) 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, 40% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Recreational Therapy graduate.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Recreational Therapy degree from Central Michigan University?
• What do Recreational Therapy graduates from Central Michigan University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Recreational Therapy degree from Central Michigan University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Recreational Therapy degree from Central Michigan University?
• What are the best colleges for Recreational Therapy?

View a random Recreational Therapy graduate from Central Michigan University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 18% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2015 from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Recreational Therapy. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Medical/Public Health intern African Impact May 2019 - Jun 2019 The Medical/Public Health intern position may involve some understanding of recreational therapy concepts, but it is not directly centered on the core qualifications of a Bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy. Front Office Receptionist Banner Health Jan 2021 - Sep 2021 The Front Office Receptionist role at Banner Health does not utilize specific recreational therapy knowledge or skills and focuses more on administrative tasks in a healthcare setting. Case investigator Insight Global Sep 2021 - May 2023 The Case Investigator position at Insight Global may require some understanding of health-related matters, which could relate to recreational therapy background, but it is not directly utilizing core qualifications of the degree. Hospital Admitting Clerk MyMichigan Health Apr 2022 - Present The Hospital Admitting Clerk role at MyMichigan Health primarily involves administrative tasks that do not utilize knowledge or skills from a degree in Recreational Therapy. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Master of Public Health - MPH Central Michigan University 2018 - 2020 ABOUT No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Recreational Therapy degree from Central Michigan University?

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

• Level I Fieldwork
• LBO Service Manager
• Server
• Activities Assistant
• Systems Engineer (Process/Systems Improvement)
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
• Vocational Instructor
• Level II Fieldwork
• Certified Trainer, Service Professional
• Service Manager

So, if we take a look at the types of jobs that folks with a degree in Recreational Therapy from Central Michigan University have landed, it seems like a lot of them do stick closely to the field. Many of the positions are directly related, like Recreation Therapists or Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, where they actively use their therapeutic skills to help clients through activities. It's clear that roles in healthcare settings, especially those involving rehabilitation or mental health support, are pretty common. Internships and fieldwork during their studies also play a vital role in getting them into these relevant job positions, allowing them to gain hands-on experience.

However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to relevance. Quite a few people have taken jobs that don’t really tap into their Recreational Therapy education, like cashiers, waitstaff, or administrative roles. These jobs are more about general customer service or office tasks and don’t utilize the specialized skills learned in their degree. So while there’s definitely a strong representation in roles that relate to their studies, a significant number have ended up in positions that don’t directly connect with the core aspects of Recreational Therapy.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Recreational Therapy graduates (this is across all Recreational Therapy graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Central Michigan University):

What kind of career trajectories do Recreational Therapy graduates from Central Michigan University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at graduates from Central Michigan University who studied Recreational Therapy, there's a pretty clear pattern in their career trajectories. Most of them seem to land directly related jobs right after graduation, often starting as activity assistants or in intern positions that focus on recreation therapy. For instance, many jumped straight into roles like Recreational Therapy Interns or Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, particularly in healthcare settings like hospitals and rehabilitation centers. This initial work clearly ties back to their studies, reflecting a solid foundation in the field.

As for the long-term, around 5 to 10 years post-graduation, there’s a bit more variation. While some continue to progress within therapeutic roles, taking on more responsibilities like supervisor positions or even moving into related fields like healthcare administration, others seem to drift a bit from the Recreational Therapy path. A few have shifted towards roles in operations or even completely different industries, like restaurant management or administrative positions. Overall, it looks like a good chunk of graduates are finding success in careers relevant to their degrees, but there are also instances of people veering off into jobs that aren’t quite linked to Recreational Therapy anymore. It's a mixed bag but definitely a lot of opportunity for those committed to staying in the field!

How hard is a Recreational Therapy degree from Central Michigan University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy can be pretty manageable, especially if you enjoy working with people and have a passion for promoting wellness through fun activities. At Central Michigan University, like many places, you’ll find a mix of coursework that covers both the theories behind therapeutic practices and some hands-on experiences. It’s not usually considered one of the hardest degrees out there, but you'll still need to put in the work with assignments, projects, and maybe some internships or community service. If you stay organized and are genuinely interested in the subject, it can actually be a really rewarding and fulfilling experience, making it a solid choice for many students!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Recreational Therapy.

Do Recreational Therapy graduates from Central Michigan University tend to make good money?

Looking at these job histories, it seems like the graduates from Central Michigan University's Recreational Therapy program are still working their way up in terms of salary. The graduate from 2010 has definitely climbed the ladder, moving from an Activities Assistant to a Systems Engineer and now a Sr. Operations Specialist, which likely means they’re pulling in decent money now. But the other grads, especially the ones who have worked as cashiers, waitresses, or interns, probably didn’t start off with great pay, and it may take them a bit longer to reach that financial stability. Overall, while some have found better-paying positions over time, others are still in the lower paying bracket, so it's a mixed bag. If you’re considering this path, keep in mind that it can take time to break into the higher salary ranges!

What buzzwords do Recreational Therapy 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 Recreational Therapy (this is across all Recreational Therapy graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Central Michigan University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Recreational Therapy?

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

College	Score	Count
Indiana University Bloomington	80	11
East Carolina University	75	13
Florida International University	69	12
Central Michigan University	61	10