NRPA Helped Focus a Career.

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[Editor's note: This article was written by member Jamie Nogueiras about her personal experience with NRPA.]

I transferred to Florida State University as a junior from a community college in a small town. After coming to the conclusion that planning events was what I wanted to do as my career, I found and majored in Recreation and Leisure Service Administration. This is an accredited major, full of talented and dedicated teachers. I joined a university organization that helped keep recreation students involved, and allowed them to network with professionals in field. I was given a mentor to guide me with any questions I had about the field, and we worked hard trying to get other students involved -we even attended a conference with NRPA.

I met a lot of wonderful people and learned a lot about the field. I am so grateful to NRPA and hope that many students get involved, as it is an amazing organization ready to guide you into the promising future of recreation. I graduated in May 2004, and just now started as the amenity director of a single-family home community in Jacksonville, Fla.

I know that being able to put NRPA on my resume helped me to catch the eye of many great positions I was applying for. It took me four months of interviewing with many companies to find the right one for me, and I could not be more excited.

I will be planning activities for more than 500 families when the project is complete. I hope this article helps other students to stay focused and pursue the career that is best.