Three groups of undergraduate students, fine arts students (n = 121), general college students (n = 104), and student athletes (n = 101), were compared on career maturity attitudes, identity foreclosure, and career foreclosure. Findings indicated that student athletes, but not fine arts students, scored lower on career maturity as compared to…

Investigates career maturity differences among 133 African American male high school student-athletes. Findings revealed no significant differences between student-athletes and their nonathlete peers on the career maturity attitude and competence variables. Findings further indicated that 94% of student-athletes as compared to 72% of nonathletes…

The purpose of this study was to examine the career planning of university student athletes and relationships between their career planning and athletic and student role identities. Two retrospective in-depth interviews were held with four male and four female university student athletes. Participants entered university with vague or nonexistent…

Measured career attitude maturity of football and basketball scholarship athletes (N=122) and nonathlete male college students (N=80) using the Career Maturity Inventory. Found that athletes were significantly lower in career attitude maturity than nonathletes, with 48% expecting to play professional sports, compared to an anticipated 2%. Found no…

Junior college students (N=259) were surveyed to examine the relationship among athletic identity, career self-efficacy, career locus of control, and various demographic variables to career maturity. Results revealed that career locus of control and career self-efficacy were the most influential psychological variable in the prediction of career…

Examined the readiness of male intercollegiate varsity athletes (n=288) to make career-related decisions. Research questions compared students participating in revenue- and nonrevenue-producing sports as well as Caucasian and minority student athletes on eight dimensions of career maturity measured by the Career Development Inventory. Implications…

Compared levels of career maturity between college students (n=76) with and without learning disabilities and investigated factors associated with career maturity. Few differences in career maturity were found. However, different predictors of career maturity for the two groups emerged. Students with learning disabilities who received more…

While professional sports can be a rewarding career, school counselors should emphasize special considerations involved. These include grades, health, parental attitude, school location, and realistic probability. Students should consider other options, as well as sports, in making educational and career decisions. (JAC)