Rec Ready: Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders in Recreation
Santa Maria is a community built on connection, culture, and opportunity. At the Recreation and Parks Department, we believe the future of our field depends on the next generation of leaders, students who not only study recreation, tourism, and parks management but also live out its values in service to our community. That is the mission behind Rec Ready, a mentorship and workforce development program designed to prepare young professionals for careers in recreation, tourism, parks, and leisure services.
The Need for Mentorship:
Recreation and parks are more than events, classes, or open spaces; they are about people. Our industry thrives when professionals bring creativity, empathy, and leadership. But for students, breaking into the field can feel overwhelming. What does a recreation professional really do? How do you stand out in an interview? What career paths even exist in our industry?
Rec Ready addresses these questions directly. By pairing college students with experienced mentors, we provide a bridge between classroom learning and real-world experience. Mentors share professional knowledge, guide career planning, and model the leadership qualities that make recreation impactful. For mentees, this support builds confidence and creates a stronger sense of belonging in the field.
Education and Workforce Partners:
Rec Ready’s collaboration with Allan Hancock College allows participating students to earn academic credit for their involvement. Faculty provide educational insight, ensuring mentorship and workshops align with coursework and long-term career goals. This makes Rec Ready not just an extracurricular opportunity, but a meaningful part of students’ higher education experience.
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce connects the program to the tourism sector and the broader business community. Through the Chamber, students gain access to networking events and industry professionals who highlight the ways recreation and tourism intersect to drive local economic growth.
Workshops that Build Skills:
Alongside mentorship, Rec Ready hosts professional development workshops tailored to the realities of the recreation and tourism industry. Students learn practical tools like resume writing, cover letter development, and interview techniques. They also practice their “elevator speech”, the quick, confident introduction that can open doors in networking conversations.
Beyond these basics, workshops highlight broader industry trends: how tourism shapes local economies, the role of recreation in public health, and the need for innovative programming that engages diverse communities. By blending skill development with an understanding of sector trends, participants are better prepared to compete for jobs and contribute to the growth of Santa Maria’s recreation and tourism landscape.
Looking Ahead:
Rec Ready is more than a program; it is a promise to our students and our community. Through the partnership of the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, Allan Hancock College, and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, we are investing in the future of young professionals. Together, we are preparing leaders who will ensure recreation in Santa Maria continues to thrive for decades to come.
Stephanie Saucedo, Recreation Supervisor with the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department.
Graduates of Cohort : Jenna Ramirez, Mariela Maldonado, Zaira Barragan