The perfect work/life balance: Explore the worlds of tourism, hospitality & outdoor recreation.

The University of Maine System offers many pathways for you to match your passion with your career.

There are currently over 50,000 jobs available in Maine’s tourism, hospitality, and outdoor recreation (THOR) sectors! In the University of Maine System, students will benefit from the courses, mentorship, connections, and internships available from any of our universities – regardless of which you attend.

Students cooking in an industrial kitchen

Specific Programs

University of Maine – Orono		THOR Minor Kinesiology and Physical Education – Outdoor Leadership BS in Parks, Recreation & Tourism
University of Maine at Augusta		THOR Minor Classes in Public Administration and Business Management
University of Maine at Farmington		THOR Minor BA in Outdoor Recreation Business Administration Certificate in Alpine Operations
University of Maine at Fort Kent		THOR Minor Classes in Winter Recreation
University of Maine at Machias		THOR Minor BS in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership AS in Conservation Law and Outdoor Management Minor in Outdoor Recreation Minor in Wilderness Therapy Minor in Conservation Law Wilderness Therapy Certificate
University of Maine at Presque Isle		THOR Minor BA in Business Administration – Recreation concentration
University of Southern Maine		THOR Minor BS in Recreation & Leisure Studies BA in Tourism and Hospitality Minor in Hospitality Management Minor in Environmental Recreation Minor in Holistic and Integrative Health Event Management Certificate Sustainable Tourism Development Certificate

Contact us to learn more.

Get your questions answered and start the application process. The Tourism, Hospitality, and Outdoor Recreation (THOR) Institute at the University of Maine System is here to help you get the information you are looking for.

Click on the dialogue icon above to send us an inquiry, or email the THOR Institute Program Manger at emily.zider@maine.edu

Sample Classes Include

Fundamentals of Camping, Hiking, Paddling, Sailing, & Winter Sports
Outdoor Education & Leadership
Recreation Site and Facility Planning
Therapeutic Recreation & Wellness
Wilderness Expedition, Safety, & Search and Rescue
Agritourism & Local Food
Event Management
Hospitality Food & Beverage
Hospitality Management
Hospitality Law
Hospitality Rules & Regulations
Hospitality Finance
Resort Management
Cultural Tourism
Women, Arts & Global Tourism
Event Management
Global Issues
Green Meetings
Interpretation of Natural & Cultural Resources
Sustainable Tourism
Tourism Entrepreneurship
Tour Planning
Catering
Lodging Operations

Student Testimonials

“This winter I had the opportunity to have a paid internship with Saddleback Ski Patrol.”

The biggest responsibility of a ski patroller is giving medical assistance to customers that need it and being able to transport patients on a toboggan on any open trails we have available. This internship experience has prepared me for a career in Outdoor Recreation.

Charles Katz

Outdoor Recreation Business Administration major, University of Maine Farmington

“Living in Northern Wales was an amazing experience for me. It not only opened up new opportunities, such as learning a new language or playing a new sport called Gaelic football, but it also helped me connect with people from all over the world.”

With a beautiful location set between the mountains of Snowdonia National Park and the Irish Sea, Bangor, Wales is the ideal location for any student who is looking to spend most of their time outdoors. My major lets me explore all different areas of study by incorporating both forestry and business classes.

Hope Kohtala

Parks, Recreation & Tourism major, University of Maine – Orono

“That thirst for adventure, first fostered at UMM, has led me all over the country…”

…working in ‘people development’ jobs such as teaching adventure education, leading ropes course, and running conservation corps programs. Ultimately that all led me to realize that when I am helping people trust themselves, build their mental, emotional and physical resources, and move forward, I’m at my happiest and most fulfilled. I’m a professional development coach and consultant and I develop and facilitate trainings, workshops and retreats. My goal is to help people develop a greater sense of themselves, increase awareness, and remove obstacles in their leadership journey.

Polly Goddard

Outdoor Recreation and Leadership major, University of Maine Machias

“I started this major in South Africa, and moving to USM has challenged me to think about the changes I would like to make in a leadership position and how to impact my community positively.”

My major has been designed to have classes that compel one to think about world issues within their course critically. I will work in my hospitality field as a room manager in a luxury hotel for a year to get industry experience, and thereafter, I will do my master’s in hospitality management.

Vanessa Bauque

Tourism & Hospitality major, University of Southern Maine

Prepare for a career as a…

Fish & Game Warden – $49,000-$70,000
Park Naturalist – $46,000-$79,000
Sports Instructor – $28,000-$83,000
Ski Resort Manager – $38,000-$99,000
Recreation Director – $39,000-$125,000
Brewery Manager – $45,000-$65,000
Airbnb or Innkeeper – $30,000-$80,000
Airport Manager – $57,000-$75,000
Wedding & Event Planner – $37,000-$83,000
Food & Beverage Manager – $39,000-$94,000
Hotel General Manager – $38,000-$99,000
Travel Agent – $29,000-$43,000
Tour Operator – $28,000-$65,000
Museum Educator – $31,000-$47,000
Travel Influencer – $40,000-$75,000
Cruise Director – $56,000-$87,000
Destination Marketing Director – $75,000-$100,000+

*Maine salaries from National Center for O*NET Development. O*NET OnLine (2023).

Benefits and Perks

Work outdoors
Engage the public
Teach visitors
Become an entrepreneur
Promote health & wellness
Manage staff & resources
New product development
Become an entrepreneur
Conserve the environment
Protect wildlife
Promote sustainability
Design unique experiences
Make dreams come true
Adventure travel
Global/cultural travel
Perfect a sport
Perform for the public
Engage with people
Discounted rooms & meals
Experience luxury brands
Global social network
Balance work/life goals

In this video, Caeley and Emily share more about their experience in the Outdoor Leadership program at University of Maine – Orono.

How to Apply

For specific questions on application requirements of the individual campuses, please visit the following webpages:

About the THOR Institute

The Tourism, Hospitality, and Outdoor Recreation (THOR) Institute is a collaboration among all seven of Maine’s public universities to strengthen workforce development and educational efforts related to the tourism, hospitality, and outdoor recreation industries.

Participating campuses are the University of Maine at Augusta, the University of Maine at Farmington, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the University of Maine (Orono), the University of Maine at Machias, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and the University of Southern Maine.

The THOR Institute is working to address needs highlighted by the tourism, hospitality, and outdoor recreation industries in terms of education access, professional development, training programs, internships, co-ops, and apprenticeships. These efforts will enrich Maine’s talent pool in THOR related industries.

You can find more information about the THOR Institute here.