Academic Support Services and Career Decision‐Making Self‐Efficacy in Student Athletes

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between evaluations of academic support services and student athletes' career decision-making self-efficacy. One hundred and fifty-eight NCAA athletes (68% male) from 11 Division I teams completed measures of satisfaction with their academic support services, career decisionmaking self-efficacy, general self-efficacy, and locus of control. Results indicated that evaluations of academic support services were positively related to levels of career decision-making self-efficacy. In addition, this relationship was moderated such that student athletes with lower levels of general self-efficacy and internal locus of control benefited more from positive experiences with academic support services. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Taking a Timeout to Ensure Well-Being: Social Work Involvement in College Sports

“…There is clear evidence linking self-efficacy theory to career development amongst college students (Burns, Jasinski, Dunn, & Fletcher, 2013;Fouad, Cotter, & Kantamneni, 2009;Scott & Ciani, 2008). A similar approach might also promote healthy psychosocial development.…”

Career maturity and college students : a case study comparison of student-athletes and non-athletes at a Division I institution

“…Research conducted by Cox et al (2004) also supports this notion, stating that obligations associated with being a college student-athlete can be detrimental to their career development. Thus, many colleges and university career centers offer an array of services and workshops, and have improved their service offerings in response to college student-athletes' time limitations as well as their understanding that college student-athletes are susceptible to lagging behind in their academic and career development progress (Burns, Jasinski, Dunn & Fletcher, 2013;Carodine et al, 2001). …”

“…College student-athletes do not tend to engage themselves in establishing a defined career path outside of their participation in athletics (Martens & Lee, 1998), rendering them incapable of making effective and well thought out career decisions (Burns et al, 2013). Though only a few college student-athletes actually utilize their campus career centers, college and university career centers are an important resource for engaging college student-athletes in the career development process (Martens & Lee, 1998).…”

Examining the motivations and benefits of student-athletes performing community service.

“…An athletic department would benefit from controlling the course selection of its student-athletes to avoid NCAA eligibility issues. On the other hand, this lack of decision-making by student-athletes can negatively impact their academic development (Burns, Jasinski, Dunn, & Fletcher, 2013;Hardin & Pate, 2013;McPherson, 2013).…”

“…This control exhibited by intercollegiate athletics has been shown to hinder the academic development of student-athletes (Burns et al, 2013;Hardin & Pate, 2013;McPherson, 2013 (Benson, 2000;Simons, Van Rheenen, & Covington, 1999). Huml et al found student-athletes were more confident their academic or faculty advisor would keep their academics a priority compared to their athletic advisor.…”