Theory of Work Adjustment (TWA)
What opportunities can Universitys give athletes to diversify their work interests?
Universities and employers can offer micro-internships, job shadowing, and virtual career
Between these 3 majors: Business, Exercise Science, and Undecided, at HPU, which major do you think most athletes have?
Business. Business majors had the highest percentage of D1 athletes who took the survey.
What is onboarding?
The process of helping new employees learn the company culture.
What is the stereotype of being “just an athlete”?
This misconception about college athletes is challenged by the article, which argues that they possess professional skills beyond their sport.
Give 1 reason why people believe that athletes are unprepared for the workforce?
Athletes lack professional skills because their schedules prevent them from gaining traditional work experience.
What are 2 things that drive D1 athletes to thrive in the workplace?
D1 athletes can thrive professionally when placed in roles that align with their values and skills.
True or False: Was the athletes' specific major influenced by their athletic aspirations?
False. 50% of D1 athletes responded no, and 21% responded yes.
True or False: Socialization only happens in the first week of employment.
False, it’s ongoing.
True or False: NCAA athletes report higher job satisfaction, salaries, and work engagement compared to non-athletes.
True: The Occupational Measures of Former NCAA Athletes and Traditional Students study of over 1,000 former students found that NCAA athletes report higher job satisfaction, salaries, and work engagement compared to non-athletes.
True or False: Many people mistakenly think that athletes are only suited for sport/athletic types of careers, even though data shows they succeed across many industries.
True
True or False: Is there a correlation between high performance in sports and high performance at work?
Yes—athletes’ transferable skills (work ethic, communication, decision-making) correlate with workplace success, especially when the environment fits their values and abilities.
What percentage of D1 athletes have a family business they could be a part of? 45%, 70%, or 30%
70% responded that their family owns a family business that they could be a part of.
Why is feedback especially important for former athletes in new roles?
They’re used to regular coaching style and performance reviews to better themselves for the future.
What are discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and time management?
These four qualities—commonly developed through collegiate athletics—translate positively into long-term workplace success.
What is the belief that athletes prioritize athletics over education?
stereotype assumes athletes care more about sports than academics.
Give 3 skills that you think transfer from sports to the office?
Leadership, time management, accountability, teamwork, communication, perseverance, interpersonal awareness, coachability, and decision-making.
True or False: D1 athletes feel prepared to enter the job field after school/sports
true. 84% responded that they feel prepared.
In a few words, explain what peer mentorship or shadowing programs are.
This method allows companies to teach employees the “unwritten rules” of workplace culture.
What do you think the use of a randomized non-athlete comparison sample resulted in?
It reduced selection bias and strengthened the claim that athletics positively impact career success.
Give 1 reason why student athletes DON'T lack critical thinking?
People often stereotype athletes as lacking this cognitive ability, even though their sport requires planning, analysis, and quick decision-making.
How do organizational behavior principles (motivation, leadership, and person-environment fit) help the athlete to work transitions?
These concepts help athletes adapt by connecting their strengths to workplace demands.
What percentage do you think of D1 athletes HAVE NOT received career readiness support specifically designed for them? 30%, 50% 70%
73% responded "No" to the survey question "Have you received career readiness support specifically designed for student-athletes?"
Concepts like onboarding, socialization, and person-environment fit help explain why this transition is difficult because _________?
Athletes miss early career experiences, and they need support in finding roles and environments that match their abilities and values.
Do you think the shift from “student-athlete” to “an individual with valuable human capital and work readiness” requires reframing their identity?
Yes, successfully integrating college athletes into organizations requires reframing this core part of their identity.
Athletes build communication skills through________
team dynamics, conflict resolution, and handling high-pressure situations.