From Classroom to Career: Evaluating Graduate Employability and Program Effectiveness in Physical Education and Sports Science

An evident gap between academic preparation and employment outcomes in physical education and sports science has prompted the need for a comprehensive evaluation of graduate employability and program effectiveness. Investigating how well a program’s curriculum aligns with labor market results in an improved curriculum and eventually facilitate graduates’ transition from classroom to career. This study traced a total of 317 graduates from 2016 to 2024 and utilized a quantitative research design, specifically a cross-sectional survey, as data were collected at a single time from graduates who had already transitioned into the workforce. Results show that the graduates have a highly favorable overall experience at the university and in their degree programs. The majority evaluated the curriculum and student services favorably, emphasizing the availability of extracurricular activities and instructors’ innovative teaching methods. In terms of employment status, most graduates secured jobs within three to six months after graduation, with several obtaining full-time positions. Numerous graduates found employment as professional teachers, soldiers or police officers, and sports coaches or trainers. Currently, most graduates have secured employment. Interestingly, they assert the relevance of the curriculum in their first and second jobs, particularly highlighting that the communication skills taught in the classroom were useful competencies in the workplace. The graduates from the teaching track articulated a more fulfilling overall experience in the university, a better quality of overall experience in their degree program, and a more positive rating of the curriculum and student services than their non-teaching counterparts did.