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To stay or to leave? Career story models of Finnish sports graduates

Year of publication

2023

Authors

Jama, Kaisa-Mari; Tynjälä, Päivi; Aarto-Pesonen, Leena; Malinen, Anita; Hämäläinen, Raija

Abstract

Previous research has revealed the challenges of sports graduates. Of particular concern is the question of how sports graduates navigate these difficulties in the job market. This study sought to understand the modern careers of sports graduates by describing different career story models among sports degree graduates. Life story data collection was employed to capture the various influences affecting career paths. The data consisted of 59 career life stories collected from Finnish sports degree graduates who were recruited through an open writing invitation. Data were analysed with the narrative method. Five typical career story models were identified among Finnish sports degree graduates: (1) From struggles to career change; (2) Momentum for a new career; (3) No pain, no gain; (4) Natural path to success; and (5) From aspirations to an uncertain future. Collectively, these story models suggest that graduates seem to balance between their personal enthusiasm for sport and fitness and the realities of working life. Many graduates contemplated leaving the industry, and remaining in the sports industry was defined by how much working life met the expectations shaped by education or personal dreams. These findings indicate that since many sport graduates struggle with the structural challenges of the sports industry, additional support through student counselling and in finding quality entry-level jobs might be beneficial in preventing career change and supporting careers in sports. Narrative career counselling is suggested to promote the wellbeing of individuals who struggle in their careers.
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Organizations and authors

University of Jyväskylä

Aarto-Pesonen Leena Orcid -palvelun logo

Tynjälä Päivi Orcid -palvelun logo

Hämäläinen Raija Orcid -palvelun logo

Malinen Anita

Jama Kaisa-Mari

Publication type

Publication format

Article

Parent publication type

Journal

Article type

Original article

Audience

Scientific

Peer-reviewed

Peer-Reviewed

MINEDU's publication type classification code

A1 Journal article (refereed), original research

Publication channel information

Volume

28

Issue

2

Pages

200-212

​Publication forum

67508

​Publication forum level

2

Open access

Open access in the publisher’s service

No

Self-archived

Yes

Other information

Fields of science

Sport and fitness sciences; Educational sciences

Keywords

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Publication country

United Kingdom

Internationality of the publisher

International

Language

English

International co-publication

No

Co-publication with a company

No

DOI

10.1080/13573322.2021.1997979

The publication is included in the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Publication data collection

Yes