An Outdoor Recreation Studies degree is a great way to turn your love of the outdoors into a career.
With over $689 billion in annual consumer spending, the outdoor recreation industry offers limitless opportunities for passionate individuals ready to make an impact. Through hands-on experiences in orienteering, rock climbing, river rafting and winter travel, along with coursework in environmental science, business management and recreation policy, you’ll gain the expertise needed to navigate both the wilderness and business side of the industry.
Whether you’re hoping to lead backcountry expeditions, manage outdoor programs, guide rafting trips, or work in public lands management, the Outdoor Recreation program equips students with the skills to thrive in any outdoor industry sector.
• Professional Guiding
• Ski Area Management and Operations
• Outdoor Education
• Outdoor Industry Manufacturing
• Outdoor Industry Business and Marketing
• Public Lands Management
• Outdoor Industry Events and Races
• Conservation and Stewardship
• Summer Camp Administration
• Public Health and Wellness
• Public Lands Policy and Advocacy
• Adventure Filmmaking
Note: Some of the occupations listed above may require additional education, experience or training beyond a bachelor’s degree. To research these occupations, use the Career Research Resources links below.
• Build and maintain trails for the U.S. Forest Service or conservation organizations
• Plan and coordinate outdoor events, races and competitions
• Work for conservation nonprofits to protect and preserve natural spaces
• Lead programs at summer camps, outdoor education centers or adventure retreats
• Educate communities on the connection between public health and outdoor recreation
• Guide clients on ziplines, whitewater rapids, backcountry trails and mountain summits
• Manage marketing and operations for ski resorts and outdoor recreation facilities
• Teach children and adults outdoor skills, risk management and environmental stewardship
• Design, manufacture and sell outdoor gear or adventure products
• Work in sales or product development for outdoor industry brands
• Develop policies that support outdoor recreation and conservation on public lands
• Ski Resorts
• Outdoor Education Facilities and Programs
• Summer Camps
• Bicycle manufacturers
• Outdoor product manufacturers
• Outdoor Industry Nonprofits
• Public Land Managers (like the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management)
Skills Needed by Outdoor Recreation majors:
• Love and passion for the outdoors
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Positive attitude
• Risk management skills
• Leadership skills
• Resilience
• Sales and marketing skills
Other Outdoor Recreation resources
Reach out to CMU Career Services for resources and guidance on reaching your career goals. Career Services takes an active role in providing career exploration, workshops, events and on-campus employer visits to encourage students to investigate and gain information while creating their career path.
You can also use these sites to research information about specific occupations such as nature of the work, training or qualifications, employment or job outlook, projections, earnings and wages.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Use the A-Z index to select the occupation you are researching.
- Fitness Trainers
- Health Educators/Community Health Workers
- Occupational Therapist Aides
The U.S. Department of Labor
- In the occupational search box type in key words, job titles, or occupational codes to research various careers.
The Department of Defense
- This site compiles information from departments of Commerce, Education and Labor.