Recruitment of undergraduate students in kinesiology: Implications for physical education

Abstract

Physical education teacher education enrollment numbers are declining with limited empirical understanding. Recruitment into the physical education profession has been passive, although scholars have begun to advocate for an active approach. The present study utilized occupational socialization theory to understand why undergraduate kinesiology majors select a kinesiology concentration outside of physical education. Participants ( n = 75) were kinesiology undergraduate students at a large, public university in the US Midwest. Quantitative data included forced-choice questions regarding socialization experiences ( n = 75) that were analyzed descriptively and through independent-samples t-tests to identify gender differences. Qualitative data included autobiographical essays ( n = 75) and semi-structured interviews ( n = 23), analyzed using a multi-phase process. Health and fitness was the most highly rated recruitment facilitator, and many of the facilitators were different than those noted in the physical education literature. The four qualitative themes included the following: (a) the influence of family, teachers and coaches, and medical mentors on career choice; (b) future career goals aligned with the helping professions; (c) negative experiences in physical education act as a barrier to recruitment; and (d) firsthand and active recruitment into kinesiology. Participants’ negative physical education experiences reinforces the idea that the passive recruitment process serves to socialize some students out of physical education. Future research should consider professional socialization within kinesiology-aligned fields outside of physical education. Active recruitment initiatives should be designed to increase enrollments in physical education teacher education.

A Theoretically Informed Conceptual Framework for Recruitment and Retention in PETE

“…Prior to the 2008 economic recession, individuals who had job prospects that provided higher paying alternatives to teaching were underrepresented in teacher education programs because these other career opportunities were deemed as more desirable (Guarino et al, 2006). Similar logic may help explain the increasing number of undergraduates enrolled in kinesiology programs who have career aspirations connected to other professions, such as occupational or physical therapy, rather than physical education (Richards, Gawrisch, Shiver, & Curtner-Smith, 2020). Scholars recommend broadening recruitment efforts to target individuals who may not reflect the White males with team sport backgrounds who are typically attracted to the field (Bulger et al, 2015).…”

“…In addition, PETE faculty members may consider meeting with undergraduate students who are interested in kinesiology-related careers but have not selected a specific career path and may not have considered PETE. With some encouragement, these students can come to view physical education as aligning more with their career goals than they may have initially assumed (Richards et al, 2020).…”

Expectativas laborales de los estudiantes de licenciatura en Educación Física en México (Work expectations of physical education teacher education candidates in Mexico)

“…Como se ha leído en líneas anteriores, el campo laboral para los futuros profesionales en EF es incierto (situación que no es privativa de esta disciplina), sin embargo, es prioritario identificar oportunidades emergentes en el mundo del trabajo del profesional de la EF ya que una socialización profunda en áreas afines es de suma importancia (Richards, Gawrisch & Shiver, 2020). Por tal motivo, el objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las expectativas laborales de los estudiantes de la licenciatura en EF de último año de formación en la FCCF/UACH.…”