South Korean student-athlete academic satisfaction and future employment: an exploratory study

This study rooted in athletic identity theory investigated South Korean student-athletes' academic satisfaction, their perception of the value of academic learning, and their confidence to find employment after graduation. The participants were 30 student-athletes (20 men, 10 women) from a national university and community college in South Korea. The research design was a cross-sectional survey, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The research findings and relevant literature raise concerns that need to be addressed further as student-athletes invest so much of their time and energy into their athletic programs. Arguably, however, academic institutions are not providing them with a balanced educational experience nor preparing them well enough to transition into society after athletic retirement. Recommendations are provided in light of this concern for the future of student-athletes.