Views of sport science graduates regarding work skills developed at university

Abstract

There has been recent interest in how higher education might improve the employability of students, although there is little feedback from graduates about the value of university experiences to their working life. The aim of the study therefore was to investigate the views of graduates regarding the extent to which work skills had been developed while at university. A survey of 57 physical education and sport science graduates found that they felt university experiences had helped to develop many work skills. Personal and interactive skills had been developed to a greater extent than business skills. However, this study produced more questions than answers. Skills acquired depend on the ethos of the institution, content of the programme and the quality of the teaching and learning experiences. In addition, students arrive at university at varying stages of maturity, react differently to particular experiences and need diverse qualities in future jobs.

Notes

1. Real names have not been used.