Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management

Career Opportunities: Readiness for the 21st Century and Beyond

For almost 50 years, the hallmark of the hospitality program at JMU’s Hart School is its belief in creating a LEARN BY DOING environment that provides the foundational understanding of business principles and puts a services spin on it. This formula has led to thousands of successful leaders in the hospitality profession and related leadership positions globally.  

Technology and artificial intelligence continue to evolve, and the Hart School Difference provides students with the necessary skills to compete and excel in this new world. The spirit of innovation, leadership, collaboration, ethical reasoning and communication are interwoven in all coursework. 

Each Fall and Spring, over 50 employers come to campus for the Hart School Internship and Career Fair. These employers’ goal is simple, to hire as many JMU HM majors as possible for internships and full-time job employment. More details at https://www.jmu.edu/hartschool/caps/career-fairs/spring/index.shtml 

Dukes helping Dukes is our philosophy of networking. Our alumni stay connected, want to hire fellow JMU Dukes, and together are making a difference around the world. 

Finally, there are no guarantees, but rest assured that by being a hospitality management major in the Hart School, students will be taught by exceptional educators who care about their success both in and out of the classroom. Upon graduation, students will have a set of TRANSFERABLE skills that readies them for the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. Students will not only be prepared to join the workforce but to be leaders in the changing world of hospitality leadership and related services business. 

Co-curricular Activities and Organizations

• Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is a student organization that provides both educational and social programs to the hospitality management major. This group plans and coordinates an annual trip to the PCMA Annual Convention.
• The National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) is a student organization that explores the issues, challenges and opportunities for minorities in mega-industry. It participates in both regional and national conventions in association with industry leaders.
• The James Madison University Student Chapter of Club Managment Association of America (CMAA) is instrumental in exposing students to the profession of club management and its many career opportunities.
• Eta Sigma Delta (ESD) is an honor society recognizing hospitality and tourism students for outstanding academic achievement, meritorious service and demonstrated professionalism.
• Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is a global organization of sales, marketing, and revenue management professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry.

Sports and Recreation Management

Career Opportunities

Graduates with this degree will be employed in professional sport organizations, semi-professional sport organizations, collegiate athletics, sport marketing agencies, sport broadcasting venues, facility management in both sport and recreation, community recreation agencies, commercial recreation agencies, theme parks, military recreation as well as hotels, resorts and other hospitality and entertainment venues.

Careers in sport and recreation management are plentiful. The listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.

• Fitness/Health Club Manager
• Sportscaster
• Aerobics Instructor
• Sports Agent
• General Manager
• Athletic Coach
• Athletic Director
• Sports Event Coordinator
• Media Relations Specialist
• Sports Information Specialist
• YMCA Youth Leader
• Recreation Professional
• Sports Marketing Specialist
• Community Center Director
• Corporate Fitness Leader
• Director of Stadium Operations
• Director of Ticket Operations
• Professional Sports Scout
• Promotion Director
• Youth Programs Director
• Campus Recreation Director
• Athletic Contract Manager
• Sports Camp Director

Co-Curricular Activities

In order to enhance the educational, experiential, networking and professional opportunities for our students, sport and recreation management (SRM) offers and encourages involvement in a wide variety of co-curricular activities and SRM-related conferences and organizations. Co-curricular activities also include required practicum and internship experiences for which academic credit is given. Below is a list of SRMs most prominent activities:

Conferences and Events

• Sports Events Marketing Experience (SEME)
• Sports Industry Networking and Career Conference (SINC)
• MIT Sloan Analytics Conference
• National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Annual Conference and Recreational Sports Expo
• National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) National Conference
• Association of Outdoor Recreation Education Annual Conference

Professional Organizations

• National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA)
• National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA)
• North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM)
• North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS)
• Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education
• Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE; formerly American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) 
• Sport Marketing Association (SMA)

JMU Clubs and Organizations

• Phi Epsilon Kappa
• Sigma Rho Mu
• SRM Major’s Club (SLAM)
• Women in Sport and Recreation Management
• Sports Clubs