Feature: Selected Sport and Physical Education Career OpportunitiesNo.52
January 2008
 
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Teaching Physical Education - Career Opportunities
Claudette S. Jones

 

One of the most fulfilling careers an individual could be engaged in is teaching physical education. No matter what level you are at, the personal satisfaction is the same.
Traditional careers in physical education have focused on teaching and coaching in schools, colleges and universities. In today’s setting, teaching and coaching continues in non-school settings, for example in community centres, vocational centres and other like institutions. As the interest in sport and fitness has grown over they years, other career opportunities have begun opening up, for example working in health clubs, corporate fitness centres and centres for the elderly. Increased specialisation within the field of physical education and sport has also contributed to the creation of additional career opportunities.
The last thirty years have seen the proliferation of a number of varied and unique career opportunities for students today. This has come about because of increased attention to health, fitness, leisure, rehabilitation and therapy. The increased interest in competitive sports by all sectors of the population (world-wide), has forced the development of career opportunities in coaching at all levels, sport management, officiating and athletic training. This increase in competition requires a cadre of specially trained individuals to fill the positions that are being created. The development of sub-disciplines like biomechanics, clinical exercise physiology, sport psychology and adapted physical education, offer new career opportunities for students.
The growth in the knowledge base, combined with the increasing need to provide services to diverse populations, have created many new career opportunities to college students and other professionals. The growth of academic disciplines has led to emerging multidimensional opportunities for college students. The basic qualification for entry into the field of physical education and related areas is a Bachelors degree, which can be gained from four year colleges and universities (Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia). In the Caribbean islands and other developing countries, the initial qualification is a Diploma, followed by Undergraduate then Graduate studies (usually outside of the native country). The demand for qualified practitioners in the allied areas is not as great in the Caribbean and developing countries as it is in the United States and Canada and so on. However, due to the fact that sport is now seen as big business, small countries are responding to the emerging demands and so it has now become necessary for students to engage in graduate and post-graduate programs. Depending on the specialisation chosen and the institution being attended, this will determine the content of the courses leading to the chosen area of specialisation.
Today, a degree in physical education or any of the myriad allied programs of study will lead to career opportunities in the following:
  • Athletic Director
  • Adapted Physical Education
  • Biomechanics
  • Coaching
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Physical training
  • Physiotherapy
  • Sports Administration
  • Sports Psychology
  • Sports Sociology
  • Teaching
  • Sports Management.
There are also opportunities in:
  • Health Promotion and Wellness
  • Sports Medicine
  • Leisure and Recreation Services
  • Nutritional Services.
Many of the career choices require completion of an advanced degree, which involves a broad base of knowledge relative to the discipline, and a practicum experience or internship or fieldwork. These are seen as vital to career preparation. You can also enhance your professional credentials with certification offered through the college or university or via outside agencies, for example, the Royal Life Saving Society, the Red Cross, Heart Foundation and so on. Certification can also be gained in specific sport areas like golf and scuba diving, and through professional organisations like aerobic and fitness associations as well as in sports officiating.
A career in physical education and sport is an investment in ones future. Having a strong academic base and the requisite professional qualification will increase the chances of employment and eligibility for advancement. It is also important to realise that there are challenges within the field, most of which are common world-wide. The following are some challenges:
  • Dispelling the continued negative perceptions of the subject held by the general public, administrators, parents, students and others
  • The removal of the subject from the curriculum of some schools due to budget cuts
  • Insufficient financial support to adequately provide resources
  • Inadequate physical facilities
  • Large classes
  • Classes being placed at inappropriate times on the time table, for example first session in the morning
  • Physical education teachers not being excellent role models
  • Schools offering physical education to Grades 7-9 for example in Jamaica
  • Unwillingness of administrators to adequately remunerate physical education teachers for work done outside of school hours (extra curricular activities)
  • Saturation in the job market resulting in inability to find jobs (low turn over)
  • Young graduates’ lack of work experience that inhibit their ability to get certain jobs
  • Young graduates’ impatience with working their way up the ladder
  • The lack of job opportunities in some of the emerging careers, for example, sport psychology, sport marketing etc.
  • Physical education teachers planning and delivering quality, meaningful and fun-filled activities to satisfy the diverse needs of their students.
The following are some recommendations for students, administrators, teachers and interested persons that may provide an avenue for discussion or ideas that could be implemented to enhance quality delivery.
  • Practitioners must have a love for the subject, which will result in maximum effort being expended in all aspects of teaching, learning and practice
  • Practitioners must have a passion that will ignite and enfold others through their behaviors, attitudes and professionalism
  • Governments and institutions of learning world-wide give the status and recognition to the subject that it deserves
  • Practitioners must be willing to change, try new approaches, share best practices and excite their students through their knowledge and experiences
  • School administrators should give equal time to physical education classes, similar to that given to other subjects, bearing in mind the benefits to be derived for students, teachers, administrators and the community as a whole
  • Physical education teachers must become more proactive thus leading the charge for change
  • Colleges, universities and related organisations should keep a registry of job opportunities available to inform graduate students of available positions
  • Organisations offering certification in certain areas should be monitored to ensure that they are reputable.
Teaching physical education at any level is challenging. However, the experiences to be gained are priceless, as it challenges ones intellectual capabilities, provides opportunities for membership in professional organisations, as well as opportunities to travel and attend international and national conferences. Attendance at such events can result in establishment of new relationships with individuals from different countries, which can lead to lifelong friendships. It can also lead to future collaborations and exchanges of ideas between colleagues and students. Finally, a career in physical education offers the practitioner the opportunity to engage in activities that will influence both children and adults to engage in a variety of activities geared towards healthy lifestyles.

References
Wuest, D.A and Bucher, C.A (1999). Foundations of Physical Education and Sport, 13th Edition, McGraw-Hill.
Wuest, D.A and Bucher, C.A (2002). Foundations of Physical Education, Exercise Science, and Sport, 14th Edition, McGraw-Hill.


Contact
Claudette S. Jones,
Church Teachers' College, Mandeville
Mandeville, Jamaica





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