NCAA Student-Athlete Career Perceptions and Involvement

Location

College Student Research 2 (Session 4 Breakouts)

Proposal Track

Research Project

Session Format

Presentation

Abstract

Serving student-athletes at the collegiate level comes with unique challenges as students balance academic and sport commitments. When compared with their non-athletic peers, research shows that collegiate athletes demonstrate a reduced career preparedness, which can be attributed to busy and over-structured schedules, along with a lack of career maturity and independence. Statistics from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) indicate that professional sport opportunities for collegiate athletes are grim, with less than 2% of NCAA male athletes heading into professional football and basketball, and less than 1% of NCAA female athletes playing professional basketball. However, the proportion of students that believe they will pursue a career in professional sports far outnumbers this, creating dissonance in post-graduation career planning.

This quantitative study investigated the career aspirations and involvement of student-athletes at a medium-sized, private, NCAA Division 1 institution in the southeastern United States. The data were analyzed by gender, academic standing, race, and the number of years as an NCAA athlete. The results of this study can be used to understand how universities can better prepare their athletes for employment after leaving the university by addressing athlete career preparation through engagement in university career resources and career field experiences.

Keywords

Student-Athlete, Career Preparation, Career Involvement, Career Field Experience, NCAA

Professional Bio

Stefanie Riveiro Swanger is a Doctoral Candidate in the Educational Leadership program at Mercer University. Additionally, she serves as a Career Consultant at the Mercer University Center for Career and Professional Development. Stefanie received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Stefanie is an advocate for women in the workforce, veterans, and students with disabilities. Her dissertation research focuses on the effect of workplace incivility on job satisfaction for mothers working in student affairs.

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Oct 2nd, 1:45 PM Oct 2nd, 2:45 PM

NCAA Student-Athlete Career Perceptions and Involvement

College Student Research 2 (Session 4 Breakouts)

Serving student-athletes at the collegiate level comes with unique challenges as students balance academic and sport commitments. When compared with their non-athletic peers, research shows that collegiate athletes demonstrate a reduced career preparedness, which can be attributed to busy and over-structured schedules, along with a lack of career maturity and independence. Statistics from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) indicate that professional sport opportunities for collegiate athletes are grim, with less than 2% of NCAA male athletes heading into professional football and basketball, and less than 1% of NCAA female athletes playing professional basketball. However, the proportion of students that believe they will pursue a career in professional sports far outnumbers this, creating dissonance in post-graduation career planning.

This quantitative study investigated the career aspirations and involvement of student-athletes at a medium-sized, private, NCAA Division 1 institution in the southeastern United States. The data were analyzed by gender, academic standing, race, and the number of years as an NCAA athlete. The results of this study can be used to understand how universities can better prepare their athletes for employment after leaving the university by addressing athlete career preparation through engagement in university career resources and career field experiences.