“Rec Sports Was So Good for Me”: How College Graduates Developed Marketable Skills as Recreational Sports Student Employees

Abstract

Although involvement in recreational sports has been found to be beneficial for college students, sparse research has explored how recreational sports student employment has benefitted college graduates who are now active in the professional workforce. Filling this critical gap, this study explored how former recreational sports student employees ( n = 10) developed marketable skills and increased their career readiness and professional capabilities. Findings suggest graduates did develop marketable skills that they regularly use as professionals, including interpersonal communication, teamwork and leadership, organization, and cross-cultural competency. Implications for research and recreational sports administration are addressed.

More Than a Job: Student Fitness Instructors’ Leadership, Communication, and Relationship Building in Campus Recreation

“…Seasoned students are afforded the chance to contribute to the training and mentorship of new officials, fostering mutual growth for both mentor and mentee (Gaskins et al, 2002) and often assuming supervisory roles for newcomers (Schuh, 1999). Officials have mentioned they are impacted by mentorship, and because of their experience, they were able to successfully mentor new officials (Burnett & Taylor, 2023). These growth-oriented developmental processes not only provide student employees with opportunities for personal advancement, but also facilitate the establishment and strengthening of relationships with their peers and professionals.…”

“…Essential for leading travel programs and fostering group dynamics in outdoor settings, team building, establishing connections, and honing effective communication skills are integral components for student employees (Boettcher & Gansemer-Topf, 2015). Burnett and Taylor (2023) summarized that outdoor recreation student employees must be able to "shift gears" quickly to be successful in their role. In essence, each specialized program within campus recreation furnishes student employees with analogous experiences in leadership development, employing hands-on approaches to enhance communication skills within a supportive work environment, fostering both professional and personal growth in the campus recreation setting.…”

“…To gain a deeper understanding of the student fitness instructors' experiences in learning, teaching, and training within campus recreation, it is essential to explore how these experiences contribute to their professional development and foster transferable skills in group fitness settings. Leadership development and communication skills are the most vital skills fitness instructors need to have for teaching and leading group exercises (Buzzelli, 2017), while building meaningful relationships could foster and embrace students' growth and skill development (Burnett & Taylor, 2023;Lower-Hoppe et al, 2019). Therefore, the purpose of the study was to: (a) understand the relationship between leadership development, effective communication, and meaningful interpersonal relationships of student group fitness instructors within a campus recreation setting and (b) investigate if student instructors' leadership development was associated with their work experience and demographics.…”

“…As employees within campus recreation, students have the opportunity to gain work experience, connecting classroom work to practical settings, enhancing students' growth and development, and bridging the gap between skills gained in and outside of the classroom (Bolton & Rosselli, 2017;Hall, 2006;Flosdorf et al, 2016). Student employees can experience growth and success within their positions, which can be beneficial academically and transfer to their professional roles especially with consistent hours and scheduling (Burnett & Taylor, 2023;Dundes & Marx, 2006;Toperzer et al, 2011).…”