Navigating Identity and Opportunity
A Scoping Review of Career Development Programs for Postsecondary Athletes from Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33043/BM3A8JnTbmKeywords:
Keywords: athletic identity; career development; postsecondary athletes; low socioeconomic backgrounds; United StatesAbstract
Abstract
Postsecondary athletes from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds, including traditional and nontraditional students participating in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and noncollegiate programs, encounter persistent barriers to career development beyond competitive sport. Although participation in collegiate athletics can provide educational and social mobility opportunities, fewer than 2% of NCAA student-athletes transition to professional sports, with probabilities varying slightly by sport but remaining consistently low (National Collegiate Athletic Association, 2024). Strong athletic identity can serve as a source of motivation and commitment; however, it may also narrow perceptions of viable career pathways outside of sport. This scoping review synthesizes United States–based interventions, programs, and services designed to support career development among postsecondary athletes from low SES backgrounds. Seven themes emerged across the literature: athletic identity, identity foreclosure, career maturity, institutional support and career programming, socioeconomic inequity, transition and post-sport identity, and cultural responsiveness. Findings highlight strategies such as structured mentorship, holistic advising, and professional development initiatives that integrate athletic identity with career development. Implications emphasize the role of institutions and advisors in implementing identity-informed programming that expands career pathways for postsecondary athletes.
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