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[Jen77]

I'm about at the point where I can be done with college in four years; it'll be close. I'm a junior recreation and tourism major. It's not like a travel agent; what I'll be able to do is take a city's budget and organize and manage their recreation facilities. It's basically recreation programming. It's also pretty closely related to the business field. If I did take some summer courses, I could probably get done in four years.

I'm considering taking up a minor in marketing since the recreation and tourism field is so close to business because everything needs to be promoted. I was a business major (briefly) so I do have some business classes completed. If I knew I was going to be here five years, I wouldn't have to take as many summer classes.

I'm on my college's track and field team and do throws events. Even though I'd be eligible to compete a fifth year; I don't think I would. I've had injuries in the past and if i compete four years at the NCAA level, I'm happy with that. I would however, help out which coaching. I figure since I'm a recreation major having coaching experience at this level would be beneficial. Since I'd have more time because I'm not actually competing, I could gain more job experience in something like volunteering for the park service in town. Really, it'd be a chance to build my resume.

In a sense I do want to get done with college and out working in four years, but I'm realizing getting more education in added the marketing minor as well as coaching and work experience in the area this may be better. I'll be able to afford the additional year of college. Even though I dearly love the U.S., I also love to travel and sometime in my life I want to live and work in a foreign country. I'm thinking the best time to move would be when I'm still young and unattached. I'll looking to move to Australia so it might be nice also to be in the U.S. around my friends and family for the additional year. Immigration to Australia is difficult and the extra marketing and work experience could be quite beneficial. Do you have any advice to offer me? Thank you!

[ian]

In short, you want to make yourself as valuable to a future employer as possible.  This may mean staying the extra year and taking the Marketing classes.  However, make sure that it actually will be beneficial to your job.  Some employers may rather hire you with just your regular degree, and then take that first year to train you.  This will obviously be more beneficial to them then your added classes.

You may want to contact some potential employers and let them know you will be graduating next year.  You can also see if you qualify for the position based upon the classes you have already taken.  If not, those added classes may help.  Also check if its possible to do an internship at their company.  Thats definitely a good way to get your foot in the door.

I personally would finish up in 4 years and try to get working as soon as possible.  Not only will you get on the job experience, but you'll also be on a salary.