Student Satisfaction and Perceived Learning in Sport Management Internships

Abstract

This study’s main purpose was to extend the current understanding of sport management intern satisfaction by investigating how it is related to students’ perceived learning. Undergraduate students (n = 139) from 13 sport management programs in the United States completed the surveys while enrolled in their full-time, senior-level capstone internships. The study’s results show a positive, significant relationship between internship satisfaction and perceived learning in personal development and career development. Further, satisfaction with duties at the internship worksite predicted perceived learning in both personal and career development; satisfaction with academic elements of the internship also predicted perceived learning in career development. Interns who engaged in more internships prior to the capstone internship experience had higher levels of satisfaction with their job duties in their capstone internship than students with fewer numbers of early internships. These findings are examined with re...