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Beyond the Gym Class: Career Opportunities in Physical

& Health Education

Chapter 21

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Outline

Diversity of University PHE Programs

Career Opportunities for University PHE Graduates

Enhancing Your Career Possibilities

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Diversity of University PHE Programs

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1940-1970 NOW

PURPOSE

• To train teachers

EMPLOYMENT

• Elementary and secondary school Phys.Ed. Teacher

NAME

• Physical Education

ADMINISTRATION

• Linked to athletics

• Evolution in diversity of knowledge and its application to PHE

• Developments in related areas: exercise physiology, sports psychology, sports sociology, motor learning, etc.

PURPOSE

• All deal with human movement + specialization

EMPLOYMENT

• Many different areas (discussed later)

NAME

• Diversification

• To reflect diversification and fragmentation in PHE field

• Does not always reflect specialization

ADMINISTRATION

• Linked to science- or health-oriented programs, or alone

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PHE Name Diversification

(1997)

38 PHE-related programs

55% PHE 45% Other Name:• Kinesiology

• Human Kinetics

• Kinathropology

• Exercise Sciences

• Human Biology

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Career Opportunities for University PHE Graduates

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Teaching Careers

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Teacher certification (Ontario):– Undergraduate degree (B.A., B.P.H.E.)– Followed by a Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.)

1980’s– 50% PHE graduates

1990’s– 10-20% PHE graduates

• Competition• Reduced hiring

Present– Again reversed

• More opportunities• Older teachers retiring• Rise in number of school age children

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Health and Science Related Careers

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Medical doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist, podiatrist, athletic therapist, etc.

Require further study after completion of PHE undergraduate program

PHE uniquely prepares graduates for these areas:– Opportunities in the curriculum

• Anatomy, physiology, sports medicine, community health, etc.– Practical interpersonal and client/patient relationship skill-

development opportunities Currently expanding areas:

– Health promotion and research organizations– Marketing of exercise and sports-related protective and

corrective equipment

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Fitness Related Careers

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1990’s career choice for increasing number of PHE graduates

Fitness assessment, instruction, and programming– Fitness clubs, community centres, YMCA’s, employee

fitness facilities in large corporations– General population– Special populations– Masters athletes or executives

Fitness administration and sales– Sports equipment sales– Sports equipment manufacturing and distribution

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Sports and Recreation Administration Related Careers

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Amateur sport administration Administration and marketing with professional and

semi-professional and junior sports teams and organizations

Facilities management Sports camp administration and intramural

administration in universities and colleges Recreation and leisure

– Community recreation organizations– Non-traditional areas for recreation (e.g., outdoor adventure)– Hotel/tourist industry and local tourism, camping, and

recreation promotion

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Coaching Related Careers

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Young and elite athletes Particularly those sports with

large club bases– Figure skating, swimming,

gymnastics, track-and-field– Squash and tennis

In the education system– Full time physical education

teachers

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Exercise Sciences Related Careers

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Masters and/or Doctoral (Ph.D.) post-graduate education– 2-6 years beyond undergraduate education

Employment opportunities:– University professors– Researchers or laboratory technicians– Community health promotion and research with

private or public organizations or as independent consultants

– Community college instructors

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Other Related Careers

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Although not directly related to PHE, still tend to attract PHE graduates

Require further training beyond PHE degree PHE offers opportunities to develop physical and

interpersonal skills required in these areas– Police officers, fire fighters, and ambulance attendants– Sales and marketing

• Insurance, pharmaceutical, and textbook sales industry– Computer software design, law, translation, and various

entrepreneurial endeavours

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Enhancing Your Career Possibilities

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Having an appropriate university degree is only one of many often necessary attributes

Need to gain as much work and practical experience as possible– Volunteer work, summer or part-time

employment, university CO-OP experiences

– Should be closely related to future career goal

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The Diversification of Physical Education Career Opportunities Reflects:

– Diversification of the physical and health education discipline

– Changes in the physical patterns and needs of Canadians

• Increased integration of fitness and leisure into business and private lifestyles

• Increased awareness of fitness benefits

Expanding career opportunities for PHE students indicates a bright future for those pursuing PHE studies