Dissertation
Perceptions of career readiness in former Division I student-athletes with a business major: an intrinsic case study
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Aug 2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011592
Abstract
Career readiness has become an increasingly important area of focus in higher education, particularly for Division I student-athletes who must balance the demands of collegiate athletics with preparation for life after sport. Although universities are required to provide career and personal development programming for student-athletes, little is known about how these resources are perceived by student-athletes pursuing a business degree. This intrinsic case study explored the perceptions of career readiness among Division I student-athletes with a business major at Drexel University, an NCAA Division I institution that emphasizes experiential learning. For this study, 10 former Division I student-athletes with a business major participated in a 75-minute Zoom session. During that session, participants completed the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Competency Assessment, took part in a semi-structured interview, and provided a career readiness rating with rationale. Survey data were analyzed descriptively, while interview transcripts were analyzed using first and second cycle coding methods. Four themes emerged from the data: participants' perceptions of career readiness at the time of graduation, the influence of enriching college experiences, the importance of relationships, and the role of mindset and personal characteristics in perceptions of career readiness. Three results emerged from the themes. First, participants articulated competency overlap through experiences within athletics, business school, and cooperative education. The overlapping competencies were communication, professionalism, and teamwork. Second, participants demonstrated a strong ability to recognize and explain transferable life skills developed through sport and how they apply to professional contexts. Third, growth mindset and career focused personal characteristics contributed to positive perceptions of career readiness. Rather than attributing career readiness to a single experience or resource, participants described it as an ongoing process. This process is shaped by increasing competency acquisition, having varied experiences, building relationships, strengthening growth mindset, and enhancing career-minded personal characteristics. The recommendations suggest that colleges and universities should consider providing an experiential learning transcript to students that includes athletic participation, and that professional development staff who support student-athletes should collaborate across departments to create a holistic career readiness experience that encompasses the five factors uncovered in this research.
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Details
- Title
- Perceptions of career readiness in former Division I student-athletes with a business major
- Creators
- Sarah Napoli
- Contributors
- Kristine S. Lewis Grant (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University
- Number of pages
- xiii, 197 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Arts and Sciences; School of Education; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022234144604721