Faculty of Physical Education and Health

Undergraduate > Current Students >Career Preparation

Career Preparation

The information in this section is designed to assist students in the BPHE program with career preparation. Employers typically look for a suitable combination of skills and experience when making hiring decisions.

Transferable Skills
FPEH Career Guides
Experience Opportunities
Career Centre Services

Transferable Skills

The skills learned and developed within the BPHE program will serve graduates well in both the workforce and in their personal lives. Below are the main skills emphasized in the degree program.

Critical Thinking
Research
Leadership
Team Work
Healthy Lifestyle
Teaching
Self Direction
Stress Management
Goal Setting
Time Management
Diversity Awareness

FPEH Career Guides

The following career planning guides provide general information to FPEH undergraduates about preparing for a variety of direct and second entry professions within the context of the BPHE degree. The sampling below represents the most commonly pursued careers.

Direct Entry Professions
Kinesiology

Second Entry Professions
Teaching
Medicine
Chiropractic
Graduate Programs
Rehabilitation Professions (Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy)
Athletic Therapy
Nursing
Sport Marketing & Promotions

Experience Opportunities

Experience in the work place is a critical factor in hiring decisions. Networking in the various industries opens doors to hiring as a large number of employment opportunities are not posted or widely advertised. The following opportunities & services at the U of T can help undergraduates gain experience and build a network in the work place.

Leadership Placement Courses
The Leadership Placement Course options, PHE350Y & PHE450Y, are designed to meet the Faculty’s objective of developing leaders within the broad field of physical education and health. In the classroom, students will address the theoretical knowledge base in the areas of leadership and professional practice, and in the field they will apprentice with mentors in related careers. Students apply to work in placement positions in our Faculty or in the community. Students may also apply to locate their own mentor from a new organization in the community. For more information about leadership placement course please visit the Academic Courses section.

Research Courses
Independent research courses are available to students in their 3rd and 4th year of study. These courses allow students to gain experience in a research lab with one-on-one supervision by a Faculty member. Students interested in pursuing studies at the graduate level and careers in research fields are advised to enrol in the PHE390Y/PHE490Y series of courses. For more information about enrolling in research courses please visit the Academic Courses section.

Namibia Placement
Every year The Faculty of Physical Education and Health and the HIV/AIDS Initiative-Africa of the Centre for International Health offers two scholarships for undergraduate students to participate in an internship exchange with the University of Namibia (UNAM).

Selected students will be placed with the Namibian after-school program, Physically Active Youth (PAY). PAY works with youth-at-risk to improve their health and study and life skills, using a combination of academic tutoring and physical activity and sport. BPHE/CTEP students will work alongside University of Namibia undergraduates as tutors and organizers/instructors in physical activity and sport.

FPEH Center for Leadership Training & Education
The Faculty of Physical Education and Heath is the largest student employer on the U of T campus. All of the job and volunteer positions offered by the Faculty are posted on Centre for Leadership Education & Training web site. In addition to job listings, the Center for Leadership Education & Training provides students and Faculty employees with a variety of leadership training opportunities including Faculty Orientations, Sexual Diversity Workshops, and Leadership Training Certificates.

U of T Centre for Community Partnerships
The U of T Centre for Community Partnerships offers a wide variety of service learning opportunities with community organizations. For more information about their initiatives visit the Centre for Community Partnerships web site.

Career Centre Services

All students at the U of T have access to the services of the Career Centre though the payment of incidental fees. Register for their services at the Career Centre web site.

The Career Centre offers the following comprehensive career planning services and workshops:

Students in their graduating year have access to a wide variety of transition services and workshops. Visit their Graduating Year Guide web page for more information.

Career advising specifically related to the Kinesiology/Physical Education & Health field is also available through the FPEH Undergraduate Program Office. Email undergrad.peh@utoronto.ca for assistance.