An investigation into the engagement of undergraduates in work experience: sport development focus.

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Author
Morgan, Jacob
Date
2015Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The purpose of this dissertation is to establish an understanding of the capability
work experience has upon sports undergraduate students for various aspects; with
emphasis placed on the importance of work experience engagement in regards to
employability. Qualitative methods were used throughout the research with
interviews used to gather information on specific samples to aid the discovery of
specific data. Specific samples were drawn from the sport industry with a focus on
sport development; the sample consisting of three individuals with experience in the
sport development field, and specifically with the employment of recent sport
development graduates and assisting with engagement of work experience with both
sport development students and many others. The study outlined its main themes in
the literature review, drawing upon the importance that work experience has and the
benefits it can bring to an undergraduate. Other aspects are elaborated including
barriers to participation in work experience and criticality. The literature review found
that work experience is key to the development of an undergraduate and that it holds
a variety of benefits ranging from personal skills to career specific skills therefore
adding value to an individual with very little experience in the work place (Costley &
Lester, 2010; Russell, 2014)
Field research for the study was conducted in Cardiff and Newport, South Wales.
Interviews were conducted with the view of collecting information from individuals
with a wealth of knowledge on both sport development and the sports industry as
well as work experience and work placements. The participants are all graduates
from sport degrees, work in the area of sport development and have a vast
experience of employing recent graduates, adding to the value that their opinions
can bring. Based on qualitative analysis, results show that work experience is vital to
undergraduates, providing them with growth that cannot be attained within an
academic environment whilst bringing a range of benefits. However, it is agreed that
work experience can become more prominent in coming years through the joint effort
of universities and relative organisations.
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