Research from Dr Mary Grant, Senior Lecturer in Career Development and Professional Practice in Sport, seeks to improve employability for sport management graduates.
Dr Grant is addressing three key problems facing the sector, which have come about following the expansion of professional sport, both in Australia and globally.
“Firstly, there is a lack of consistent literature on sport management job classifications and standards. There is also limited practical experience available for undergraduate sport management students and a lack of knowledge around how employers assess graduates.”
Dr Grant’s research has been instrumental in analysing the sector beyond the classroom to improve graduate outcomes.
“My research explores how practical experience can align with undergraduate learning to promote graduate employment outcomes.”
Dr Grant has developed the Graduate Employability Cycle of Learning, which outlines the factors that contribute to employability for sports management graduates.
“We have made several recommendations to guide the industry and higher education sectors to collaboratively develop undergraduate employability through industry exploration, self-awareness and practical experience.”
In the next phase of her research, Dr Grant will pilot the Graduate Employability Cycle of Learning with two disciplines other than sport.
She is also writing a Graduate Employability Cycle of Learning Implementation Guide with resources and tools to assist the pilot.
