Growing up, Johnny Thodt ‘09 took part in programming such as swimming and basketball through many of the city’s recreation centres. Enjoying his experience so much, he made it his mission to build a career in this field, and Mohawk was a top choice for him to do so. 

The Recreation and Leisure Services program helped Johnny transform his childhood enjoyment into a fulfilling career. It was during his studies at Mohawk that Johnny’s purpose to help folks in his community through recreation was solidified. 

Johnny says, “I think I found my purpose in helping children, youth and adults engage and start to realize their [own] potential through what they enjoy in their personal time. Everyone thinks recreation is just games, but it’s very educational for people of all ages.” 

While in his program, Johnny completed two placements. His second placement with the City of Hamilton led to gainful employment that he still enjoys to this day. 

“My placements allowed me to experience many different programs and how different organizations facilitate their programs,” he says. “They provided me the experience to gain employment immediately after graduation.” 

When Johnny graduated in 2009, he became a recreation coordinator with the City of Hamilton. Today, he is a recreation supervisor who is thankful to work with the same community he’s been in for the last decade. 

“When you’re with a community of people for so many years, you build bonds and good memories. I’m glad I can still do that with these people in this capacity.” 

As one of Mohawk’s Future Ready Premium Employers, the City of Hamilton is a driven supporter of students and strengthening the greater community alongside the college. Over 500 Mohawk grads have been hired by the City, they partner with City School training, provide numerous research projects, and have also supported student awards for over 30 years. 

Helping people in any regard is always a reward, but everyone's definition of help is different. This is a key piece of advice that Johnny offers for those looking to enter the recreation field. 

“Folks come with a wide range of expectations in programming. It’s important to remember your expectations, you can only do what’s in the scope of your capability. Everyone has a different capacity and you can’t push that onto people. I have a way that I like things done, but I can’t expect my staff to do it that way,” he says. 

With recreation being an ongoing need, Johnny continues to expand his career by evaluating the needs of our city’s diverse communities and ensuring their recreational needs are met.