Career changes among physical educators: searching for new goals or escaping a heavy task load?

Res Q Exerc Sport. 2010 Jun;81(2):224-32. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2010.10599669.

Abstract

Physical educators experience several occupational constraints and a high risk of physical injury associated with a high attrition rate. Our investigation aimed at identifying the principal career reorientation factors among physical educators and reasons for their career changes. This research used semistructured interviews (n = 53) that were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. While younger teachers frequently invoked job precariousness, the more experienced teachers and those who made a transition toward other teaching functions put more emphasis on teaching problems, work conditions, and physical context. Those who transferred toward administrative duties insisted on their desire for a new challenge. Our study indicates that career reorientation is most often associated with job precariousness and the pursuit of new challenges, respectively, for younger and older physical educators.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Career Choice*
  • Faculty*
  • Female
  • Goals*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physical Education and Training*
  • Quebec
  • Workload*