THE EFFECT OF A CAREER INTERVENTION PROGRAM ON THE CAREER SELF-EFFICACY OF COLLEGE STUDENT-ATHLETES AT A NCAA DIVISION III INSTITUTION: A PROGRAM EVALUATION

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of a career intervention program on the career self-efficacy of college student-athletes at a private NCAA Division III institution in the Midwest. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were significant improvements in career self-efficacy scores among student-athletes participating in the Life After Sport Transition (LAST) program. The participants were 59 male and 39 female student-athletes across 13 varsity sports. The study consisted of pre-testing and post-testing of student-athlete participant career self-efficacy beliefs using pre-selected variables from the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale – Short Form (CDMSE-SF). Descriptive statistics described the demographic characteristics of the student-athletes who participated in the program. Paired sample t-tests suggested participants’ career self-efficacy beliefs were high to begin with, their scores overall improved from pre-test to post-test, and were significant at p < .05 in three personal beliefs: finding out employment trends for an occupation over the next 10 years, preparing a good resume to be considered by employers, and successfully managing the job interview process. Independent sample t-tests indicated there were no significant differences among any of the groups assessed in the study. Results also suggested participants were satisfied with the program and believed it should continue as a program offered on campus in the future. The findings of this study have important implications for student-athlete career development efforts at small colleges and universities that lack the athletic staff, resources, and extracurricular funding to implement similar programs. This study provides support for such career practices, and indicates that career self-efficacy is responsive to change through career interventions.