Comparing Two Groups of Student-Athletes: Implications for Academic and Career Advising

Abstract

In this study, we explored the career variables of goal instability, vocational identity, and career decidedness levels in two groups of student-athletes. We compared scholarship student-athletes who had been selected to participate in a summer academic-support program designed for at-risk students to scholarship athletes who were not included in the summer-support program. Both groups consisted of student-athletes from various sports with football and basketball the primary sports for the summer program participants and swimming and cross country the primary sports for student-athletes not included in the summer-support program. Results of the study indicated that no significant differences were found between the two groups of college student-athletes with regard to their goal instability, vocational identity, or career decidedness. Implications for academic and career advising as well as future research are discussed.