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
Experience Opportunities
FPEH Career Guides
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 - Critical thinking is the ability to analyze & reflect on issues, topics and course of action from a variety of perspectives.

Research - Investigation through the application of the scientific method and knowledge of research design & evaluation aimed at discovering, interpreting, and revising human knowledge.

Leadership - Initiative and the ability to act on perceived needs for the benefit of society & community.

Team Work - Through a variety of group work projects and tasks students in the BPHE program learn to work cooperatively and effectively with others to accomplish desired goals.

Healthy Lifestyle- Care for self and the modeling of healthy lifestyle behaviours.

Teaching - The study of pedagogy strengthens the ability of students to pass on many forms of learned knowledge.

Self Direction - Completion of a four year undergraduate degree shows a high level of self direction and internal motivation. It is the ability to motivate the self & work independently to achieve a goal.

Stress Management - Through a demanding curriculum, students learn to cope with the pressures of competing deadlines and priorities and the benefits of physical activity for relieving stress.

Goal Setting - Students learn how to set meaningful and realistic goals to accomplish a desired outcome.

Time Management - Time management skills assist with the effective use of time to complete competing goals and maintaining work life balance.

Diversity - Students are taught awareness of diversity and social justice issues and the ability to make inclusive choices that reflect and celebrate the diversity of society.

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 advertized. The two go hand in hand. The Center for Leadership & Training helps students gain the necessary leadership skills and also assists students with hiring

FPEH Undergraduate Experiences

Leadership Placement Courses
Our 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.

Life Science Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity
FPEH students wishing to pursue graduate work and careers in life science research fields are encouraged to apply for the Life Science Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity. Up to six summer scholarships valued at $4,800 are available to fund a 12 week Life Science Undergraduate Research Opportunity with a Professor.

Applications for the following areas of study will be considered: AIDS, Arthritis, Cancer and Cancer-related Diseases, Cardiovascular/Heart Diseases, Diabetes/Insulin, Epilepsy or Muscular Dystrophy, Kidney and Kidney-related Diseases, Polio, or Common Cold, or Arthritis, or Cancer, Respiratory, Circulatory, and Heart Diseases, Respiratory Diseases, Health Research in Other Areas. Information about applying for these opportunities is usually available in early January.

Namibia Placement
Every year two third-year BPHE students are selected to participate in the Faculty of Physical Education & Health and the Centre for International Health's HIV/AIDS Initiative-Africa student placement summer positions in Namibia.

Selected students will engage in research surrounding the health of youth, particularly reproductive health, with particular attention to the impact of physical activity programs on the behaviours, attitudes, and knowledge of the youth. This research will be performed with University of Namibia final year undergraduates.

Students wishing to pursue careers in education, public health, development through sport professions and related research fields are urged to apply. Applications are usually available in January.

Employment
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 jobs 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.

Work Study
OSAP eligible students are urged to investigate the wide variety of Work Study positions available at the Faculty and University of Toronto. Faculty Work Study positions are listed on the Center for Leadership Education & Training web site.
University wide Work Study job listings are available at the Career Centre web site.

Career Centre
The Career Center has a database of full and part-time jobs offered on campus an in the surrounding community. This database is accessible on-line at their web site.

Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to build a network in a given industry and gain experience & skills employers are looking for in the work place. Community service and volunteerism is highly valued by many employers. The University of Toronto offers many opportunities and resources for students interested in volunteer work:

CLTE Volunteer Opportunities
The Centre of Leadership Training and Education offers a variety of volunteer positions at the Faculty, a list of opportunities is available on their web site.
A volunteer job board is also available on the Leadership bulletin board on the second floor of the Warren Stevens building.

U of T Centre for Community Partnerships
The U of T Centre for Community Partnerships offers a wide variety of opportunities for students to become involved in the local community including links to tutoring, hospital and community centre initiatives. A community service event called Outreach is also organized by the Centre for Community Partnerships every year in early September. For more information about their initiatives visit the Centre for Community Partnerships web site.

Career Centre
The Career Centre's job board has a variety of volunteer positions listed in addition to paid positions. The Career Center also hosts a Volunteer Fair in the fall semester of each year. For more information visit their web site.

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

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 Program web site for more information.

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