RE 491 - PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT SEMINAR

EXIT PAPER
Christopher M Peterson
Program Declaration: Winter 2014
Anticipated Graduation: August 2016

Questions:
1. What do you personally hope to accomplish through your work in the Leisure Services
profession?
I want to pay off my loans and own a house with land. I think I might like to run an
outdoor, animal-based therapy service for emotionally troubled persons of all ages. I want to
effect positive change. I want to be able to retire by 65 if I choose, not after.
2. What do you see as your strengths as an Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management
senior?
One thing I am certainly not afraid to be in front of people, whether it is a class of my peers or
teaching a lesson to strangers. I can improvise a dialogue or conversation on the spot with little
difficulty. I am practical, resourceful, and try to maintain a continuously positive outlookparticularly in stressful situations. I am well spoken, respectful, try to maintain awareness of my
surroundings in the natural environment and am physically fit.
3. What do you see as your weaknesses as an Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management
senior?
My primary concern is business management, from paperwork to people, and everything in
between. Ive worked plenty of service jobs over the years, but never really had the chance to
advance and learn more on the job.
Additionally, I have not actively engaged in many adventure activities. Because of this, it may
be seen as a disadvantage in the job market. But if I dont enjoy it, should I really be applying
for it?
4. In what areas would you most like to improve?
I feel that I need the opportunity to take a more active role in the management of a small
business, leisure or otherwise. The idea is that a practical, hands on (guided) approach to
running a business will be the best way for me to learn. Thankfully, this is precisely one of my
personal goals for my internship with Blue Oxer Farms this summer!
5. For each of the following academic skills listed below, complete the following:
i.
Identify your present competency level in each of the following academic skills: (Use
poor, fair, good, excellent to identify level)
ii.
Indicate whether or not your present level has improved since your beginning semester.
(Use "improved" or "stayed the same")
iii.
Indicate the academic or "real-world" experiences that have positively impacted your
competency level
List of Academic Skills:
I
Ii
iii
Critical/Analytical
Good
Improved
Thinking
Clear Understanding of:
a. Logical
Excellent
Stayed
Being an Adult

b. Mathemati
cal
c. Scientific

Fair

d. Analogical

Good/Excellent

Fair

Same
Stayed
Same
Stayed
Same

e. Metaphoric
al
Creative Thinking

Excellent

Programming
Risk Management
Interpretation
Lesson Preparation
Lesson Presentation
Planning Adv/Outdoor
Exp.
Leading Adv/Outdoor
Exp.

Fair/Good
Good
Fair/Good
Good
Good
Excellent

Stayed
Same
Stayed
same
Stayed
Same
Improved
Improved
Improved
Improved
Improved
Improved

Good

Improved

Excellent

College Algebra/Trig
Anatomy & Physiology
(NMC)/ Biology & Geography
(NMU)
Tolkiens Middle Earth, Eng
Essays
College English Courses,
Years of theatre
RE362/Program Design
RE362/Program Design
RE381/Interp 1
RE251/261/Music Ed
RE251/261/Music Ed
BSA/Personal/ORLM
Wilderness Stewardship

6. Write a response to a NMU parents questions, What can you do with an Outdoor Recreation
Leadership and Management degree? and How does ORLM contribute to the Leisure
Services industry and profession?
A degree in ORLM is an opportunity to make a difference. As a professional in the Leisure
Services industry, we have the opportunity to help others engage in something that we all
strive for, play time. Our program is focused on developing leadership skills, adaptability,
risk management, and fostering environmental stewardship- all of which are qualities found
in an outdoor recreation professional. Economically, the leisure industry is continuing to
grow. After all, what are we all working toward? Leisure time.
7. A. Using APA format, cite the literature and/or texts which you have read related to the
Outdoor Recreation/Leisure Services profession that you believe have the most meaning or
usefulness for you as an entry-level professional.
Bryson, B. (1998). A walk in the woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. New York:
Broadway Books.
Russell, R. V., & Jamieson, L. M. (2008). Leisure program planning and delivery. Champaign, IL: Human
Kinetics.
Tilden, F. (1957). Interpreting our heritage: Principles and practices for visitor services in parks, museums,
and historic places. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press.

Bryson, BThis book is not directed toward the leisure professional, but I feel it is a valuable read. This
book is a personal narrative, hiking on the Appalachian Trail with Bill and his friend, Steve
Katz. Throughout the book, you see examples of leadership, poor/excellent expedition
behavior, leisure and tourism in and out of the backcountry and the impacts of tourism, both
environmental and social. As the book is drawn from a client or customer perspective,
I think professionals in the industry have an opportunity to gain insight by sharing in their
emotions, thoughts, struggles and triumphs.

Russell, R.V.Having used this book for our Program Design (RE362) course, it managed to find its way
into the stack of book I intend to keep for later reference. There are clear step by step
instructions, guiding the leisure professional toward an effective program strategy. Nearly
every review Ive read of this book is given with high praise.
Tilden, FIn this book, Tilden lays down the framework for heritage interpretation. It has been used
by the NPS for decades as a reference and training tool for interpreters across the country.
The influence of this book complements the efforts of Enos Mills and his work toward the
interpretation of the natural world.
8. What have you learned about yourself through your experiences and courses in the ORLM
program?
My experience was an interesting one. Coming back to school after taking several years off
presented challenges in itself. When I entered the program in my second semester at NMU,
I wasnt entirely sure what to expect. I never looked at going back to school as an
adventure more like task. That being said, I learned that I am not proficient in outdoor
adventure activities such as high ropes courses, zip lines, and rafting. To be fair, I dont
have much interest in those activities. Being older than most of my classmates, I came to
realize that this group of budding outdoor professionals would be advantageous to my
experience. Ive spent more time outside with them in the last three years than I did the 7
years prior. My time with my classmates gave me an opportunity to see that, although I
took time away from school, there was no reason I couldnt succeed and do the things I
want. I dont that wouldve happened if I had stayed in a different program.