title: Undergraduate athletic training students' influences on career decisions after graduation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Career opportunities for athletic training students (ATSs) have increased substantially over the past few years. However, ATSs commonly appear to be opting for a more diversified professional experience after graduation. With the diversity in available options,  an understanding of career decision is imperative.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To use the theoretical framework of socialization to investigate the influential factors behind the postgraduation decisions of senior ATSs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Web-based management system and telephone interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two ATSs (16 females, 6 males; age = 22 ± 2 years) who graduated in May 2010 from 13 different programs accredited by the Commission  on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.
  
  
  METHODS
  All interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the data were analyzed inductively. Data analysis required independent coding by 2 athletic trainers for  specific themes. Credibility of the results was confirmed via peer review, methodologic triangulation, and multiple analyst triangulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two higher-order themes emerged from the data analysis: persistence in athletic training (AT) and decision to leave AT. Faculty  and clinical instructor support, marketability, and professional growth were supporting themes describing persistence in AT. Shift of interest away from AT, lack of respect for the AT profession, compensation, time commitment, and AT as a stepping stone were themes sustaining the reasons that  ATSs leave AT. The aforementioned reasons to leave often were discussed collectively, generating a collective undesirable outlook on the AT profession.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results highlight the importance of faculty support, professional growth, and early socialization into  AT. Socialization of pre-AT students could alter retention rates by providing in-depth information about the profession before students commit in their undergraduate education and by helping reduce attrition before entrance into the workforce.
authors.affiliation: Director, Entry-Level Athletic Training, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, 2095 Hillside Road, U-1110, Storrs, CT 06269-1110, USA. Stephanie.mazerolle@uconn.edu
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mazerolle
authors.forename: Kerri E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Gavin
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Pitney
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Casa
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burton
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes / Q000193:education*; D001290:Attitude; D002321:Career Choice; D004493:Education; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D012951:Socialization; D013177:Sports / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult