ERIC Number: EJ1234739
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1948-5123
EISSN: N/A
Outdoor Industry Credential: Exploring Perspectives within the Profession
Marchand, Geneviève; McMahan, Kelli; Hester, Hailey D.; Lewis, Patrick; Friesen, Philip Zook; Hobbs, Will
Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, v11 n4 p352-358 2019
This paper reviews the findings of a professional task force from the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE), which explored the feasibility of and support for a credentialing system for students and young professionals aspiring to a career in the outdoor industry. The task force used initial public discussions to design a survey, which was then sent to AORE members. The quantitative and qualitative data revealed an almost 50% division in favor of/against a credentialing system. In general, younger professionals and students expressed more interest in a credential than seasoned veterans did. All respondents identified similar challenges to a credentialing system: cost versus benefit, assessing and evaluating the qualifications, and a lack of value-added (a sense that there are already too many credentials in the industry). Although credentialing can signal a unified profession that agrees on the professional competencies required for effective professional practice, our findings indicate the outdoor industry is not yet there.
Descriptors: Outdoor Leadership, Credentials, Cost Effectiveness, Standards, Professional Training, Work Experience, Student Attitudes, Age Differences, Employment Qualifications, Outdoor Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A