Networking can help you in future job searches and can help you whenever you need peer advice on whatever project you may be given. The club does quite a lot of service in the region including being part of the Adopt-a-Trail and Campsite Program for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Leadership Experience
We encourage you to use the club to gain leadership experience. Several students have led trips to the Grove Park Inn, a city parks and recreation agency, or a tourism attraction. Some students have organized:
- Club BBQs
- Ropes course experiences
- Tournaments
- Hikes in Slickrock and Shining Rock wilderness areas
Some students have organized service projects for the community. Examples include:
- A Halloween Party with the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad for REACH kids
- Taking kids to athletic events such as basketball or volleyball games for the Special Friends Program at Scotts Creek School.
As you can see, there are lots of opportunities for you to practice your leadership skills. Think of how you will answer the question that will most certainly be asked at your first job interview: “What leadership roles have you taken?”
The club is extremely important as it is the best avenue for you to develop both a strong professional network and your own leadership. Other avenues for development are fraternities and sororities, Base Camp Cullowhee, or Last Minute Productions at the University Center. However, with other organizations you may not be developing a network of recreation professionals who can help you as professionals in your future careers.
Don’t forget that prospective employers are looking for graduates who have shown INVOLVEMENT through their résumés and references. Anyone can get involved in a variety of ways. To be competitive in the job market, you need to be involved—that is the major reason for the club’s existence.
PRM Awards Banquet
At the end of each spring semester the club organizes an awards banquet for PRM majors, which usually consists of a nice restaurant dinner. Awards are presented in the form of plaques, certificates, and Mars Bars™ followed by slides of the year gone by.
Regional Adventure Education Conference
Several years ago the PRM Program started the Regional Adventure Education Conference. We organized it for four years then started a rotation with other colleges in the region: Warren Wilson, Southwestern Community College (SCC), Montreat-Anderson, and Brevard College. The club gets to run this every fifth year or so now. The conference is for students and run by students and costs very little—another great way to get involved!
For more information on the club, contact the PRM Program.