Exploring Experiences of Organizational Socialization Among Physical Therapy and Athletic Training Junior Faculty Members

Abstract

Introduction. Organizational socialization is a process by which institutions assist new faculty members' transition to their expected roles. These may include orientation sessions, mentoring pairings, and ongoing faculty development opportunities. There is a paucity of research identifying the experiences and perceptions of organizational socialization for physical therapy and athletic training junior faculty members. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the organizational socialization process for these two groups. Subjects. Junior faculty members in the fields of physical therapy (13) and athletic training (13) participated in this phenomenological qualitative study. Methods. Data were collected in a single phone interview, which was digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed following the steps of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Expert review, multiple analyst triangulation, and member checking served to ensure trustworthiness of the findings. Results. Organizational socialization of junior faculty in athletic training and physical therapy revolves around the components of orientation activities and collegial workplace environments. Orientation activities are part of the onboarding process and usually include a formal session to learn about roles and responsibilities. Orientation can positively impact a faculty member's understanding of their role and integration to the culture of their institution. Collegial work environments are those where experienced faculty play an active role in supporting junior members. Because they provide junior faculty some freedom and flexibility in choice of mentor, informal mentoring relationships seem to be integral to this collegial environment. Conclusion. Though these areas may form an important foundation for organizational socialization, additional solutions are needed to optimize the processes by which new faculty are trained. Administrators and institutions should strive to create innovative orientation and onboarding programs that aid newly hired educator's integration.