Christian Smith

Dr. Canavan
English 1010
July, 13th 2016
Career Interview
I grew up in a house that was located within 20 minutes from the base of a
world class ski resort called Snowbird. My father and I would go skiing every
weekend up at Snowbird and I used look at the employees there with envy. They all
had the top of the line gear and were able to cut straight to the front of the line to
board the tram. How did these people get to be in these positions? Havent you
ever wondered how those people in Nitro Circus were able to go do crazy fun
adventures and get paid to do so? How do people get paid to have fun?
At age 15, before I could get answers to these questions, my life took a turn I
sometimes wish I could go back and change. I found drugs and alcohol and that
discovery forever changed me. Mind altering substances seemed to allow me to be
the person that I thought I wanted be. I could say and do things I would normally be
fearful of saying or doing. I used these substances as my primary coping skill to
deal with day to day life events. When I hit age 33 I found a recovery community at
the VA Hospital in Salt Lake City that saved my life and introduced me to the world
of recreational therapy.
Recreational therapy has all sorts of applications. It can benefit someone
recovering from a drug addiction or someone who has survived a stroke. I have
been volunteering with an organization called Wasatch Adaptive Sports for the past
6 months. Recreational therapy for the disabled is a big part of their mission. I
have since learned that a person can actually get a degree in recreational therapy.

In this paper I would like to provide you with the information to decide whether a
career in recreational therapy is appropriate for you and the life you have
envisioned for yourself.
According to The Bureau Of Labor Statistics, recreational therapists:
Plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people
with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. These therapists use a variety of
modalities, including arts and crafts; drama, music, and dance; sports and
games; aquatics; and community outings to help maintain or improve a
patients physical, social, and emotional well-being.
This almost sounds too go to be true! I would love a career in helping people
incorporate recreational activities into their lives in a healthy and practical way. .
Recreational Therapists.
I interviewed Alex Mansir, who works for Wasatch Adaptive Sports, to gain
some insight on what a job in recreational therapy looks like. I asked Alex what was
rewarding about his job at Wasatch Adaptive Sports and he said I have had so
many different jobs, you name it, Ive done it. This is the best thing I have ever
done. It doesnt feel like work, yet it pays me money. I think Alex said it best
when he said Ive never had a bad day at work yet. I value a career that allows
me to experience joy. Recreational therapy is looking more and more like a job that
will provide that. Mansir, Alex.
Recreational therapists may use an office space for planning activities or
updating patient charts with their progression in their recreational activities. There
will also be time spent traveling with patients to the different activities that are

planned out. There will also be a considerable amount of time actually participating
in the activities with patients. It is safe to say that in the life of a recreational
therapist there will be significant time being spent on your feet. I find this to be
very valuable because I wouldnt have to go to the gym after work. I would get my
work out in at work, and get paid for it! It is common for someone in this career to
work evenings and weekends in order to better fit a patients needs.
Recreational therapists work in a few different types of settings. There are
recreational therapists at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. One of the fastest
growing areas for recreational therapy is in retirement communities. Our baby
boomer generation is retiring at a staggering rate and they need creative ways to
stay active so they can continue to care for themselves as they grow into their long
awaited retirements. According to the Pew Research Center:
On January 1, 2011, the oldest Baby Boomers will turn 65. Every day for the
next 19 years, about 10,000 more will cross that threshold. By 2030, when all
Baby Boomers will have turned 65, fully 18% of the nations population will
be at least that age, according to Pew Research Center population
projections. Today, just 13% of Americans are ages 65 and older.
Those are numbers from 6 years ago. This is happening right now as you are
reading this. By tomorrow another 10,000 people will be hitting retirement age and
could very well be in need of some recreational therapy. Im no mathematician, but
these numbers seem pretty favorable for a career in recreational therapy. Baby
Boomers Approach 65 Glumly.
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics Recreational therapists typically
need a bachelors degree, usually in recreational therapy or a related field such as

recreation and leisure studies. Recreational therapy programs have classes in

assessment, human anatomy, medical and psychiatric terminology, characteristics
of illnesses and disabilities, and the working knowledge of assistive devices and
technology. Most programs require an internship with a minimum of 560 hours.
Most hospitals and other setting in a clinical form are seeking individuals with a
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential. The National Council
for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) is the premier credentialing
organization for the profession of Therapeutic Recreation. There are several
different ways of obtaining the certification. There is the traditional Bachelors
Degree and passing the credentialing exam. There is also a combination of work
experience and education with the addition of the credentialing exam. You can go
to the NCTRC website for specific information on what best fits your needs. NCTRC
also offers specialty certification in five areas of practice: behavioral health,
community inclusion services, developmental disabilities, geriatrics, and physical
medicine/rehabilitation. Therapists also may earn certificates from other
organizations to show proficiency in specific therapy techniques, such as aquatic
therapy or aromatherapy. Recreational Therapists.
As I mentioned earlier, the possibilities for growth in this field is tremendous
with the Baby Boomer populations needs as they age. According to The Bureau of
Labor Statistics, recreational therapy is projected to grow a whopping 12 percent
from 2014 to 2024 and Job prospects will be best for recreational therapists with
both a bachelors degree and certification. Therapists who specialize in working with
the elderly or who earn certification in geriatric therapy may have the best job
prospects. Recreational therapy does not appear to be going anywhere in the near
future or at least in my life time. Recreational Therapists.

What do these exciting recreational therapy positions pay you for all of your
hard work? According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The median annual wage
for recreational therapists was $45,890 in May 2015. The government sector is
currently the highest paying sector at $55,000 annually followed closely by
hospitals and ambulatory health services at $48,320 and $46,200 respectively.
The highest 10% of recreational therapists are making in excess of $71, 790.
Recreational Therapists.
After researching recreational therapy for this paper, I have concluded this to
be a very fitting career path for myself. What about for you? Are you a
compassionate human being and empathy comes to you naturally? Do you have
leadership skills to help motivate those who are intimidated to try new activities?
Do you have a high degree of patience to help those patients that will require a
higher level of care from you? Are you creative and resourceful so you can create
recreation treatment plans for your patients that will keep them coming back week
after week? I know I possess these qualities and I finally feel that I know what my
purpose in life is.

Works Cited
Baby Boomers Approach 65 Glumly. Pew Social Trends. 20 Dec 2010. Pew
Research Center. Web 23 July 2016.
Mansir, Alex. Personal Interview. 26 July 2016.
Recreational Therapists. Occupational Outlook Handbook. 17 Dec 2015. Bureau of
Labor Statistics. Web. 26 July 2016

Career Interview Questions

1) Can you describe what your last day at work was like? What did you do? Is that a typical day?
2) Is there something you wished you would have known (but didn't) before taking a position at
WAS?
3) Does the job provide an environment conducive to a healthy balance between work and family
life?
4) What are the most and least rewarding aspects of your job?
5) What are the working conditions like?
6) What skills and abilities would you consider important to possess to work at WAS?
7) Would you consider the compensation for an entry level position in this field to be a livable
wage?
8) What experiences best prepared you for this job?
9) What is the most memorable experience you have had so far while working at WAS?
10) Do you find it easy to leave work at work or do you tend to take it home with you?