The career transition process: Perspectives of elite female cyclists.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to develop an in-depth understanding of the career transition process of a seldom studied group: elite female athletes. The primary question posed in this study was, "What is the experience of the transition from elite sport (cycling) to another career?" The second question was, "What are the categories in common of female athletes who have successfully transitioned?" A qualitative design enabled information to be collected on the career transition experience of elite female cyclists. Naturalistic inquiry was the methodological approach used, which provided structure to the emergent design (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). Case studies of five female professional cyclists, ages 23--38, who had completed the career transition process within the last 10 years, were presented. A sixth case study was presented but not included in the cross-case analysis. Information gathered for the case studies were from interviews, publications, and resumes. Essential categories with corresponding subcategories to the successful career transition process were identified. A cross-case analysis procedure was used to synthesize categories that emerged from the interviews. The categories identified from the data were (a) Sense of engagement, (b) competitiveness, (c) transferable skills, (d) support team, (e) personal identity, (f) catalysts for retirement, (g) adherence to engagement, and (h) linking self to new career. These categories and subcategories were presented and supported with direct quotes from each interview. The categories that emerged from the data were incorporated within the Sport Career Transition Model (SCT). The interview guides entitled Athlete Career Transition I and Athlete Career Transition III (ACT I and ACT II) were derived from this study and integrated within the Program for Athlete Career Transition (PACT) (Reece & Wilder, 1995; Wilder, 1997). The conclusions of this inquiry were discussed in relation to the relevant literature. Methodological strengths and weaknesses, practical applications, and future directions for research were presented.