5.03

Evidence of Compliance:

In 2008, all academic advising for the Department was moved over to the College Advising office, CHHS Academic Advising Resource Center (AARC). This move resulted in all undergraduate advising for general education as well as major advising is now handled by the College advisors. The advisors work with the Department Chair annually to constantly improve their services. Over the past four years, the AARC has developed streamlined methods by which they can evaluate students on meeting departmental requirements as well as to assure that students are on the right pathway towards a timely graduation (one of the missions of the University). Additionally, advisors assigned to RLS attend department faculty meetings where curriculum is being discussed to assist in ensuring prerequisites, and course progression is streamlined to assist students in moving through the degree in a timely manner.

The links below will provide access to the AARC website and advising materials including degree planning worksheets used by AARC

CHHS Academic Advising Resource Center (AARC)

Degree Planning Worksheets

• BA: Recreation Management
• BA: Recreation Management: Option in Recreation Therapy

Evidence of Compliance:

While the CHHS Academic Advising and Resource center provides advising regarding course enrollment, each concentration in the department has a faculty advisor. Each concentration advisor is available to meet with students to discuss concentration specific questions, needs, and career advising. Additionally, the department Internship and Fieldwork coordinator meets with all department students to review their fieldwork and internship hour requirements. Through this process additional advising is available regarding career choices. Opportunities are also integral to content in several core classes, and are highlighted below.

Courses

Professional and career advising is incorporated into core classes in the major in a variety of ways. REC 141, Introduction to Leisure Services, provides an overview of the profession and the wide variety of careers to which a major in recreation can lead. Course objectives for this course specifically address career areas and professional organizations related to recreation, parks, and tourism. The REC 141 class syllabus can be viewed through this link: REC 141 Syllabus

An assignment addressing resumes and letters has been incorporated into REC 421, Supervisory and Administrative Practices. In class discussion of this assignment, majors are asked to consider how well their resume matches a job for which they hope to apply, and what skills and accomplishments can help build their resume for their intended career goals. The REC 421 syllabus can be viewed through this link: REC 421 Syllabus.

Additionally, majors are advised to begin development of a professional academic/career portfolio throughout their academic career within the major. In their last semester in REC 480: Philosophy of Recreation and Leisure, students are required to submit their completed portfolios as an assignment. The development of this process was an outcome of programmatic assessment as well as evaluation of student portfolios in REC 480 from the past. The portfolio assignment for REC 480, including example student portfolios can be viewed through this link: REC 480 Portfolio Assignment

Concentration Brochures

The Department has developed brochures that provide information about career areas in recreation supported by our department’s curriculum. These include a concentration specific brochure in each of the following areas: Campus Recreation, Community Recreation, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Recreation Therapy, and Tourism Management. Each brochure identifies professional associations related to that specific career focus, as well as courses offered by the department to prepare majors for careers with that emphasis. Most of the concentration brochures also suggest courses fulfilling General Education requirements that can also help prepare majors for the specified career focus. The Concentration Brochures can be viewed through this link:

REC Concentration Brochures

Workshops and Job Fairs

Majors are also encouraged to avail themselves of opportunities available through our strong alumni and professional networks. Each semester, specialized career development opportunities are available to our majors free of charge. Through these events, agency professionals representing a broad spectrum of the leisure services field are available for career counseling. Alumni are frequent guest speakers in classes and panels of alumni are periodically organized so that former students can help current students with career-related questions. The bulk of these opportunities come through the California Park and Recreation Society via state, region and local district trainings. Additionally, there are local opportunities for Recreation Therapy trainings, like the Beach Symposium.

CSULB Career Development Center

The CSULB Career Development Center provides a wide variety of career development programs and services for students of all majors and class levels, as well as for all alumni. It offers a variety of services to help students with the transition from student to working professional, as listed below:

• Resume and cover letter development resources
• Job Search Resources
• BeachLINK Job Board
• Internship opportunities
• Interview preparation
• On-campus interviews
• Jobs fairs
• Workshops