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 – OronoKinesiology and Physical Education – Outdoor Leadership
BS in Parks, Recreation & Tourism
University of Maine at AugustaClasses in Public Administration and Business Management
University of Maine at FarmingtonBA in Outdoor Recreation Business Administration 
Certificate in Alpine Operations
University of Maine at Fort KentClasses in Winter Recreation
University of Maine at MachiasBS 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 IsleBA in Business Administration – Recreation concentration
University of Southern MaineBS 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.