Author(s): FAN, C., YUTAO, Z., ZHIMING, Z., SHUGE, Z., Institution: HUNAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 680

Background: Transiting from an athletic career to a post-athletic career is a complex process, shaped by various factors, such as the psychology, academic, and vocation. While numerous studies have offered insights into the subjective experience and perceived challenges of athletes career transitions, to date, knowledge is scarce regarding the pathways and challenges of retried athletes in pursuing specific vocational roles. In this research, we aimed to address this significant gap by investigating a specific, popular, and challenging pathway of career transition in retired athletes; that is, the transition from the athletic settings to the academic domains within higher education. More specifically, we conducted the study to understand the motivations, challenges, and barriers/difficulties retired athletes may encounter when transitioning into the higher education sector.
Methods: We recruited 17 retired national-level athletes from China (aged 26-37; 8 are currently employed full-time in 6 universities whilst the rest were seeking positions in higher education at the time of data collection) for 1-1 semi-structured interviews to understand the motivations, challenges and barriers from them. Moreover, the research used a Delphi approach to investigate 17 human resource managers in Chinese higher education settings to gain consensus only on the barriers/difficulties faced by retired athletes when transitioning into the higher education sector.
Results: The thematic analysis revealed a significant discrepancy between retired athletes educational qualifications and the requirements for teaching positions. Despite their athletic expertise, these individuals often lack the necessary cultural literacy and require professional education training to obtain teaching credentials or formal qualifications. This deficiency, along with challenges in psychological and physical adjustment, leads to difficulties in securing employment. The study also identified a prevalent undervaluation of physical education roles in higher education, which exacerbates the challenges retired athletes face professional identity and satisfaction in obtaining teaching roles. Furthermore, applying the Delphi method emphasised the importance of developing a professional identity and recognising the teaching profession within the higher education sector. It also highlighted the need for psychological support to help athletes overcome the difficulties and challenges of adjusting to new professional and societal roles. Additionally, there was a consensus on key challenges, including legal and regulatory safeguards, which emerged as significant concerns.
Conclusions: This study highlights the distinct challenges retired athletes in China encounter when shifting to teaching roles within higher education. The findings inform the development of future career development programs and targeted policy-level interventions to aid retired athletes through the intricacies of such transitions.