“Wait…You’re Getting a Degree in What?”
When I first told my parents I was getting a degree in Recreation, their reaction was pretty classic: “You’re getting a degree in what?” They’d never heard of such a thing—but they were supportive and genuinely happy that I was pursuing higher education. I told my dad I’d do whatever it took to stay in the industry, and deep down, I knew I was in for an incredible adventure.
Yes, I earned my degree in Parks and Recreation Administration with an emphasis in Commercial Recreation. You might be wondering, what exactly is Commercial Recreation? Well, back in the day, we had a few tracks to choose from. The public path focused on park districts and government-funded programs. The commercial side, where I landed, was all about revenue-based recreation—think resorts, cruise ships, and vacation-style experiences. Now I feel like it’s all coming together.
My journey started with an associate degree, and then I transferred to Illinois State University—just two hours from home, which felt like the perfect distance. I began as a Public Relations major with a Recreation minor. But after only six weeks, I realized my heart was fully in Recreation. I stuck with it. I might even be a few credits shy of a Business minor, but I’ve kept that on the back burner because, honestly, things have been working out just fine.
Growing up, The Love Boat was one of my favorite shows. I vividly remember going on my first cruise and meeting the “Travel Hostess.” Right then, I thought, that’s totally me! I needed to work on cruise ships. That’s when I knew Commercial Recreation was the right fit for me. Stay tuned to find out where that story goes…
As part of my senior class program, we were required to complete a 12-15 week internship. I’ll admit—I was a little late getting my resumes out, but the right opportunity came along. My Dean was thrilled when I landed a summer internship at Amelia Island Plantation (now Omni Amelia Island), a stunning property that truly kickstarted my career.
The internship split students into three areas: Social Recreation (kids’ summer camps), Group Recreation (poolside and beach activities for all ages), and Event Recreation (planning and running group events). I was assigned to Social Recreation. At first, I wasn’t thrilled—many people don’t go into recreation hoping to work with kids—but it turned out to be the foundation of my career.
In fact, I always say: if you can program for kids, you can program for anyone. When you work with adults, it’s easy to forget what it’s like to be a kid. But if you work with kids, you learn how to tap into imagination, fun, and spontaneity. You’ll learn so much—and have a blast doing it. And just remember, it doesn’t have to be forever.
That summer was one of the toughest I’ve ever worked, and also one of the most rewarding. Between the long hours, weekly reports, a final report, a special project—and let’s not forget the mandatory socializing at night—we definitely had our hands full! I couldn’t have asked for a better entry into the world of recreation. I didn’t get offered a full-time position afterward, and neither did my close friend—but we were okay with that and we officially graduated. We already had a plan. We were both members of a professional association, and with a national conference coming up, we decided to save up and hit the road.
So, to answer the original question: my parents didn’t exactly understand what a degree in Recreation meant, but they were proud. And I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
I’ll be the first to admit—I’m not a professional writer. I write the way I talk, and this is actually my first blog. I’m learning as I go. But my hope is that you’ll enjoy reading it, find parts you relate to, and maybe even pick up something new along the way. I want this space to be easy to read and edutaining—yep, that’s educational and entertaining all rolled into one.
This is my journey—filled with incredible opportunities and the ever-evolving world of recreation. Maybe it’s the beginning of a book, or maybe it’s simply a way for me to reflect and figure things out along the way. Either way, my goal is simple: to connect with others and share what I’ve learned. I hope this space becomes just that—a place for connection, storytelling, and passing knowledge along to the next person on their own path.
A favorite quote:
“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” -Jack Welch
Next Up: A Recreation National Conference – filled with travel, networking, lifetime friendships and interview questions