Internship and Job Opportunities
Preparing Students to Thrive in a Global Society
Our department has many opportunities to support your academic and career goals. Tap into our 400+ Bay Area partnerships and faculty network to start your journey. Engage in fun internship opportunities and learn more about potential career pathways!
Gain Real-World Experience
RPT 690 Internship in Recreation, Parks & Tourism
Eligibility: Upper-division RPT majors, internship eligibility, and consent of the instructor.
Time Commitment: 400 hours
Academic Credit: 12 units
Example Experiences: Operations, facilities, marketing, finance, and programs/services.
HH 680 Holistic Health Internship Seminar
Eligibility: Students who have completed General Education (GE) requirements: A1, A2, A3, & B4 with grades C- or better; or permission of the instructor.
Time Commitment: Depends on the internship (~50-100 hours)
Academic Credit: 3 units
Host an Intern
Our students have a variety of different passions and skillsets that greatly benefit your company and/or organization. Our students seek real-world work experience, quality mentorship, challenging projects, and feedback for continuous improvement.
RPT college seniors enrolled in RPT690: Internship in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism during Spring (Jan-May) and Summer (Jun-Aug) seek internships with the goal of securing a job after graduation. Since RPT seniors must commit a total of 400+ internship hours, they seek experiences similar to a management/technical training program and can perform at their optimal if benefits (e.g., stipend, wages, transportation fee, etc.) are available.
Email the RPT Department: rpt@sfsu.edu with the following information to let us know about your internship opportunity:
- Internship Title
- Company/Organization Name
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Qualifications and Requirements
- Contact Information
**Please include a PDF flyer or website link for the application.
We will review your internship opportunity and reach out with updates.
Job Opportunities
Recreation and Parks
- Park and Recreation Agency Director
- Oversee the operations and finances of public parks and recreational spaces, typically under the supervision of the city manager.
- Salary range: $110,000–$150,000
- Athletics Supervisor
- Administer and participate in the scheduling of athletic facilities for classes, recreation use and use by outside groups.
- Salary range: $40,000–$95,000
- Park Ranger
- Ensure campers, hikers and other visitors follow the rules, enjoy their experience and take care of the natural environment; research, develop and conduct educational programs.
- Salary range: $70,000–$85,000
- Environmental Educator
- Plan events, activities and programs to inform the next generation about environmental issues and how they can help.
- Salary range: $45,000–$90,000
Tourism
- Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director
- Lead and direct the administrative, operational, sales, marketing and communications functions of a convention and visitors bureau.
- Salary range: $102,000–$110,000
- Cruise Ship Director
- Create a fun atmosphere while engaging guests through activities, shows, events, presentations, communications and socializing throughout the cruise.
- Salary range: $47,000–$53,000
- Amusement Park Manager
- Oversee day-to-day theme park operations, including ride maintenance, customer revenue and park cleanliness. Perform administrative duties and engage with staff and customers.
- Salary range: $68,000–$113,000
Events
- Director of Events
- Recruit and manage staff, direct event and program management, and oversee the successful execution of high-level events, meetings and conferences.
- Salary range: $70,000–$84,000
- Theater Operations Manager
- Recruit, train, motivate, develop and coordinate personnel to ensure effective operations and excellent guest service.
- Salary range: $48,000–$53,000
- Events Coordinator
- Oversee and facilitate meeting planning, including site selection, vendor negotiation, registration, marketing, on-site staffing and post-event reporting.
- Salary range: $47,000–$55,000
*Salary ranges are based on San Francisco Bay Area postings on Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com and Salary.com as of January 2022.
Holistic Health Practices
- Acupuncturist
- Promote healing, alleviate pain and improve overall health by using specialized needles at specific pressure points on the body.
- Salary range: $54,000–$88,000
- Naturopath Practitioner
- Treat and manage acute and chronic conditions using natural healing methods, including acupuncture, reflexology, hydrotherapy, herbal medicines, clinical nutrition, homeopathy and counseling.
- Salary range: $72,000–$220,000
- Massage Therapist
- Manipulate muscle groups and trigger points to relieve pain, support healing, improve circulation, reduce stress and increase relaxation.
- Salary range: $40,000–$130,000
Health and Fitness
- Registered Dietitian
- Promote healing, alleviate pain and improve overall health by using specialized needles at specific pressure points on the body.
- Salary range: $72,000–$220,000
- Nutritionist
- Improve health and wellness through crystal healing, sound therapy or radiation to align chakras, which are energy points in the body.
- Salary range: $68,000–$97,000
- Physical Therapist
- Provide treatment for patients with chronic conditions, illnesses and injuries to improve movement and manage pain.
- Salary range: $65,000–$130,000
Wellness
- Mental Health Coach
- Help clients manage emotions, challenge negative thinking patterns, improve personal and relationship skills and reduce environmental stressors.
- Salary range: $64,000–$132,000
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Work with individuals, groups and families to address mental, emotional and behavioral concerns.
- Salary range: $60,000
- Wellness Coordinator
- Coordinate and facilitate health and fitness activities, events, seminars and wellness programs in public or private organizations.
- Salary range: $56,000–$94,000
*Salary ranges are based on San Francisco Bay Area postings on Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com and Salary.com as of January 2022.
RPT Professional Development Opportunities
- Travel Massive (free membership; travel/tourism)
- NEWH (free student membership; hospitality/tourism)
- Cal Travel Association (student membership/educator $250)
- Wilderness Education Association (student membership $25, wilderness education)
- American Trails (professional member $75, access to webinars)
- Global Sustainable Tourism Council (individual membership $100)
- LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com): free access via public library membership (courses/certificates)
- PCMA
- MPI Academy
- North American Association for Environmental Education (naaee)
- Association for Experiential Education (aee)
- Coastal Conservancy, State of CA
- American Trails
- Playcore
- Destination International
- Travel Massive
- United National World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
- Global Ecotourism Network
- Connect Travel
- MEETINGSNET
- SmartMeetings
- Salesforce
- California Restaurant Association
- California Preservation Foundation
- Eventbrite (search for “key words” in your area of interest)
- Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals and Tours
- Campus Recreation and SF State
- City of Daly City - Library & Recreation Services
- City of Menlo Park: Community Services Department
- City of Mill Valley Recreation
- City of Pacifica
- City of Redwood City Parks & Recreation Department
- City of South San Francisco, Parks & Recreation
- Gatepath (nonprofit focused on developmental disabilities)
- Giants Enterprises (AT&T Park)
- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
- Hornblower Cruises & Events
- Hostelling International USA
- Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (JCCSF)
- Literacy for Environmental Justice
- Marbles Found
- MFactor Meetings
- Outdoor Adventure Club
- Outward Bound California (adventure education)
- Pacific Leadership Institute (ropes course)
- Real Options for City Kids (ROCK)
- Recess (playspace for children and adults)
- San Francisco 49ers STEAM Education Program
- San Francisco Recreation & Park Department
- San Francisco Travel Association
- San Francisco Youth Soccer
- Santa Clara County Parks
- Shanti Project (nonprofit)
- Small Potatoes Catering & Events
- The California Academy of Sciences
- The Ranch (City of Belvedere and Tiburon Recreation)
- Travis Air Force Base Outdoor Recreation
- UCSF Fitness & Recreation
- YMCA of San Francisco
- Youth Outside
SFSU Student Resources
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