UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — From majoring in recreation, park, and tourism management (RPTM) at Penn State to becoming public programs special projects coordinator at NYC Parks, Katie Kubis, class of 2021, has turned a lifelong passion for bringing people together into a career.
From a young age, Kubis felt drawn to community building. As a member of student government in grade school, she planned programs and events that brought her peers together and created a sense of belonging. This experience taught her the importance of community, which she now leans into in her role with NYC Parks. As part of the Public Programs division, Kubis supports the Aquatics, Education & Wildlife, Media Education, and Recreation units, which deliver free and low-cost programs citywide.
Kubis credits the faculty, coursework and experiential learning offered to her as a Penn State student to make her career possible.
“Hands-on learning is critical and gives students an edge,” Kubis said. “Most employers are not only looking for people with an education but also experience that shows you are prepared and know what it is like being in the field. RPTM did a fantastic job in preparing me for my career.”
Currently, Kubis supports the NYC Parks Assistant Commissioner for Public Programs with division-wide projects and interagency collaborations, among other administrative tasks. Kubis is running point on a collaboration with NYC Aging, which includes a mental health pilot program for older adults.
Additionally, her office is working with NYC’s Chronic Disease Prevention task force to develop a parks prescription program, where medical professionals can prescribe NYC Parks program experiences. Time spent in nature and parks, in addition to being active, can improve mental and physical health, according to Kubis.
“Our office helps facilitate programs that create a sense of community for New Yorkers,” Kubis said. “Our recreation centers are vibrant spaces and hubs for relationship building across the community.”
Kubis said her work also supports low-cost after-school programs, summer camps and free swim lessons. Recreation centers provide free access for youth and young adults and low-cost options for others that make healthy living more accessible.
As a Penn State student, Kubis said the RPTM Guest Activities Practicum helped her gain exposure to this real-world experience. During the Guest Activities Practicum, students receive hands-on exposure to the guest experiences industry within commercial recreation settings. Kubis delved into commercial recreation with Carnival Cruise Line during the practicum's embedded travel component.
“It was eye opening to be on the ship and see the entire operation,” Kubis said. “It was a great experience. Practicums give you hands-on experience in the field and the ability to apply learnings from the classroom.”
Kubis also obtained a Meeting and Event Management Certificate while at Penn State, which provided her with foundational knowledge for how to put together an event.
She said the Meeting and Event Management Certificate program prepared her to support events during her career, as the coursework and internship component translated directly into the professional field.
“The unique thing about RPTM is that there is a place for everyone here,” Kubis said. “RPTM has students who become park rangers, wedding planners and community builders. There are so many different career paths you can take, and they all come through RPTM. RPTM provides that concrete, foundational background to apply your knowledge to all those fields.”
Editor's note: Kubis is participating in this media in a personal capacity and not representing NYC Parks or the City of New York, and her views are personal and do not implicate NYC Parks or the City of New York.