Influence of a youth development leadership graduate degree program on the professional pathways of youth leaders

Abstract

This study examines the professional pathways of youth development leaders during and following completion of a youth development leadership master's degree program and documented reported experiences, events, and products of graduates associated with those pathways. Fifty-three alumni who completed a youth development leadership master’s degree program responded to three open-ended questions through an online survey. Qualitative data were analyzed using deductive-inductive content analysis. Participants’ most salient post-graduation experiences included pursuing a new job, career, or career change; leading a major project; assuming expanded roles and responsibilities; and receiving a promotion or pay increase. Common products identified by participants included grant and fundraising proposals; evaluation reports and measures; curricula; and employee or volunteer training plans. The study findings supported the development of the Youth Development Professional Pathways Model (YDPPM). Process modeling youth development leaders’ professional pathways provided a fuller understanding of how their careers unfolded during and after degree completion which scholars have identified as an important step for the youth development field.