Presented during the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Student Conference

1. Tom O’Rourke, CPRP
Executive Director,
Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission
torourke@ccprc.com
www.ccprc.com/orourke

2. 1.To make you better applicants at a job interview, (if
you can get one.)
2. To make you better people.
3. To have you understand current financial challenges
so that you can create a job that may not even be
there yet.
4. To look at your prospects of future employment
unlike you’ve ever looked at them before.

3. What is your true
purpose in life?

4. Time
Energy
Talent
Resource Allocation

5. Happiness in your career
starts with making sure you
have chosen the right career.

6. Know
your
personal
VALUES
Set
GOALS
for your
life
Create
an
ACTION
PLAN

7. Achievement
Reputation
Adventure
Helping Others
Responsibility
Challenges
Harmony
Truth
Competence
Independence
Time Alone
Community Service
Intellectual Pursuits
Spirituality
Cooperation
Involvement
Wealth
Decisiveness
Loyalty
Working Alone
Dignity
Money
Working Together
Economic Security
Meaningful Work
Privacy
Excitement
Nature Security
Fame
Health/Fitness
Family
Self-respect
Wisdom
Freedom
Security
Status
Friendships
Relationships
Fun

8. Set
GOALS
for your
life

9. Health and Wellness Goals
• Stay in Weight Watchers for the entire
year. That’s all.
• Stay in good aerobic physical condition

10. Create
an
ACTION
PLAN

11. • Walk in my parks once a week.
• Compete in the Following;
• Compete again in at least one of the
Sprint Triathlons
• Cross Train – Bike, Swim, Run
• Enter at leas two road races

12. …But who are you?
It is the most important
part of getting hired.

13. CONSIDERATION
1.Admit that you are not perfect and that
sometimes you are a jerk
2. Place yourself in the shoes of others
3. Act with Compassion and Kindness
4. Practice
5. 5 little things – Every Day

14. Tell me who your friends are
and I tell you who you are.
Grace O’Rourke

15. Jobs

16. Recreation 2001

17. Recreation 2021

18. Entrepreneurial
Recreation

19. Toledo Ohio, Health and Fitness
 Utilizing Current Parks create a series of fitness
programs that will improve the health and wellness
of the community
 Morning Yoga
 Boot Camp
 Body Flow
 Running
Walking
 Road Races
 Triathlons

20. Drive In Movie Theatre
Utilizing an existing park, get a gigantic
blow up screen and show movies in the
park.
Entrance Fees
Concession Sales
Advertising Sales

21. Ohio Outdoors
Utilizing undeveloped acreage, create an
outdoor experience for people to
experience the outdoors.
Kayak rentals and trips
Zip line
Climbing Program
Challenge Course Program

22. Marathon / Triathlon /
Adventure Race
Create a fitness special event
utilizing existing park lands
Entrance Fees
Sponsorships

23.  Know yourself.
Follow your “own” heart toward
your chosen profession.
 Don’t be a jerk.
 Don’t wait for the opportunity
to come to you, create your
own.