The NCAA recently released findings from two studies examining student-athletes' perspectives on career preparation and life after college: the Growth, Opportunities, Aspirations and Learning of Students in College study, known as the GOALS study, and the Student-Athlete Needs, Aspirations and Perspectives study, known as the SNAP study.
Together, the studies indicate student-athletes feel increasingly prepared for their careers and postcollege plans. Nearly two-thirds of SNAP respondents reported feeling positive or very positive about their career prospects in today's evolving economy. Additionally, more than 90% of student-athletes participating in the GOALS study said participation in college athletics had a positive or very positive impact on career-applicable qualities such as work ethic, responsibility and teamwork.
The fifth edition of the GOALS study surveyed more than 20,000 student-athletes from 493 schools across all three NCAA divisions, examining their academic, athletic and social experiences. The SNAP study, which is administered voluntarily to Division I student-athletes, received responses from more than 5,600 athletes representing 158 Division I schools.
Athletics shape postcollege plans and career preparation
Among student-athletes who were seniors or postgraduates at the time of the GOALS survey, plans for the first year after college varied. Across all divisions, 44% of respondents planned to work in a field related to their major, while fewer anticipated pursuing postgraduate education (23%), working at a job unrelated to their major (13%) or dedicating themselves full time to their sport (12%). GOALS study participants were also asked whether they expected that their job after college would involve sports, and student-athletes in men's sports in Division I (54%) and Division II (49%) said this was somewhat or very likely at rates higher than those for Division III men's sports athletes and women's sports athletes in each division.
Career plans differed significantly by gender. Student-athletes in women's sports were twice as likely as those in men's sports to plan to immediately enroll in graduate school. In contrast, student-athletes in men's sports were 2½ times more likely to devote themselves primarily to their sport after graduation. By division, Division I student-athletes reported the highest rates of both pursuing sport full time and working in a field related to their major.
The studies also found that student-athletes overwhelmingly think the experiences gained through athletics will translate into future career success. Among SNAP respondents in their junior year or beyond, 60% in men's sports and 53% in women's sports agreed or strongly agreed that they felt prepared to make the transition out of competitive sport.
While 90% of GOALS respondents said their college athletics experience had a positive or very positive effect on work ethic, responsibility and teamwork, more than 80% also identified goal-setting, leadership, attention to detail, time management, adaptability, performing under pressure, and understanding people from different backgrounds and identities as skills they developed through participation in college athletics.
Student-athletes see a path to the professional level
The studies also explored student-athletes' expectations about competing professionally or at the Olympic level. The GOALS study found that beliefs that becoming a professional or Olympic athlete was at least somewhat likely was highest among Division I men's sports participants (57%), followed by Division II men's sports participants (36%) and Division I women's sports participants (23%).
Perceptions varied considerably by sport, gender and division. Student-athletes competing in sports with more established professional or Olympic pathways were generally more likely to think they could continue their athletic careers at the next level.
Sports in which at least half of student-athletes reported being somewhat likely or more likely to become a professional or Olympic athlete were:
- Division I men's basketball (78%) and Division II men's basketball (63%).
- Division I men's ice hockey (75%) and women's ice hockey (54%).
- Football Bowl Subdivision participants (74%) and Football Championship Subdivision participants (61%).
- Division I men's golf (67%) and women's golf (50%).
- Division I baseball (59%).
- Division I men's soccer (56%).
The findings underscore the dual role college sports play in shaping student-athletes' futures and helping them prepare for careers beyond sport while also providing avenues to compete at the highest levels of athletics.
