Career Options in Physical Education

When a person graduates with a professional degree in Physical Education, the most obvious career is to work as a Physical Education Teacher (PET) in a school. But that is far from the only option. Physical Education is a fast-growing discipline, and its graduates can work for schools, colleges, universities, sports clubs, the fitness industry, health providers and many more - in both school and non-school settings.

Career options described in the textbook

• Physical Education Teacher (PET) - after D.P.Ed., B.P.Ed. or M.P.Ed., one can be appointed as a PET in a school or college.
• Health Education Teacher - one paper in the Physical Education programme is devoted to health education, so a graduate can work as a health education teacher.
• Sports Coordinator - Physical Education courses teach the skills of organising and directing recreational sports programmes, coaching and planning team activities.
• Professional Coach - after a Diploma in Sports Coaching, one can be appointed as a professional coach of a team or a personal coach/trainer for individual athletes.
• Outdoor and Adventure Sports Educator - a graduate interested in outdoor and adventure sports can educate others in the field.
• Sports Administrator - supervision and administrative skills taught in the course enable one to work as a sports administrator.
• Provider of Recreational Services - one can run a recreational club or set up an amusement park offering adventure activities such as river crossing and rappelling.
• Event Manager of a Sports Club - a graduate with an MBA in Sports Management can work as an event manager for a sports club.
• Health and Fitness Club Manager - one can manage a health and fitness club with a professional degree and an interest in the field.
• Sports Clothing & Equipment Designer - those with an interest in fashion/design can design sports clothing and equipment.
• Dietician and Nutritionist - a Physical Education graduate can take up the profession of dietician and nutritionist.
• Sports Goods Marketing - the sale and marketing of sports goods is a fast-growing industry open to Physical Education graduates.
• Yoga Trainer - those trained in yoga can instruct groups and individuals at various levels.
• Fitness Trainer - one can work as a fitness trainer after any course in Physical Education.
• Physical Therapist - one can work as a physical therapist after a Physical Education programme.
• Sports Journalist - graduates of a sports journalism course can work as sports journalists.
• Adapted Physical Education Teacher - a specialised field that designs curricula to meet the physical-education needs of persons with disability.