title: Positive Factors Influencing the Advancement of Women to the Role of Head Athletic Trainer in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions II and III.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research suggests that women do not pursue leadership positions in athletic training due to a variety of reasons, including family challenges, organizational constraints, and reluctance to hold the position. The literature has been focused on the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I setting, limiting our full understanding.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine factors that help women as they worked toward the position of head athletic trainer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Divisions II and III.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-seven women who were employed as head athletic trainers at the Division II or III level participated in our study. Participants were 38 ± 9 (range = 24-57) years old and had an average of 14 ± 8 (range = 1-33) years of athletic training experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted online interviews. Participants journaled their reflections to a series of open-ended questions pertaining to their experiences as head athletic trainers. Data were analyzed using a general inductive approach. Credibility was secured by peer review and researcher triangulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three organizational facilitators emerged from the data, workplace atmosphere, mentors, and past work experiences. These organizational factors were directly tied to aspects within the athletic trainer's employment setting that allowed her to enter the role. One individual-level facilitator was found: personal attributes that were described as helpful for women in transitioning to the role of the head athletic trainer. Participants discussed being leaders and persisting toward their career goals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women working in Divisions II and III experience similar facilitators to assuming the role of head athletic trainer as those working in the Division I setting. Divisions II and III were viewed as more favorable for women seeking the role of head athletic trainer, but like those in the role in the Division I setting, women must have leadership skills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Athletic Training Program, University of Connecticut, Storrs.
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mazerolle
authors.affiliation: Department of Athletic Training and Exercise Science, Lasell College, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Christianne M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Eason
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009939:Organizations, Nonprofit; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace
keywords: gender; leadership; motherhood; stereotyping