The inaugural Coastal Carolina University Recreation and Sport Management Symposium will take place Sept. 13-14 in the Brooks Stadium West Zone. The networking and educational event will connect more than 250 CCU recreation and sport management students with local, state, and national partners to leverage internship and career opportunities.

“We want students to meet professionals and find opportunities that they were not aware existed,” said Don Rockey, Ph.D., recreation and sport management department chairman. “We want a very marketable group of students to send out to the job market.”

The recreation and sport management program is a part of CCU’s Conway Medical Center College of Health and Human Performance. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in recreation and sport management gain opportunities to study, analyze, evaluate, and successfully lead within the dynamic fields of recreation and sport.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, entertainment and sports occupations are expected to grow 7% through 2029. The fast-growing sector will likely add more than 60,000 new jobs through that same time period.

The symposium will begin with an evening of professional development sessions on Sept. 13, focused on resume writing, interviewing, and professional expectations. Sept. 14 will feature five industry panel discussions on topics ranging from collegiate and professional athletics to sales, marketing, and communication tactics. The event will conclude with a highly-anticipated internship and career fair for students looking to connect personal interests with professional aspirations. Participating organizations joining CCU include the NFL; Cleveland Cavaliers; City of Myrtle Beach Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism; South Carolina Parks & Recreation; Playcard Environmental Education Center; Black River Cypress Preserve; St. Andrew’s Parks & Playground; Florence County Parks & Recreation; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; and Taymar Sales U.

“We want students to find good fits for themselves with internships and jobs,” Rockey added. “We want professionals to leave CCU with a good impression of our program, faculty, and students.”

As a part of the Recreation and Sport Management Symposium, CCU will also host the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association Eastern District meeting on Sept. 14 at the HTC Center.