A1 Journal article (refereed)
Liikunta-alan tutkintokoulutuksen merkitykset valmistuneiden elämänkertomuksissa : fenomenografinen analyysi (2021)
Meanings of sport degree education in the life stories of graduates : phenomenographical analysis

Jama, K.-M., Tynjälä, P., Aarto-Pesonen, L., Malinen, A., & Hämäläinen, R. (2021). Liikunta-alan tutkintokoulutuksen merkitykset valmistuneiden elämänkertomuksissa : fenomenografinen analyysi. Liikunta ja tiede, 58(4), 82-90. https://www.lts.fi/media/lts_vertaisarvioidut_tutkimusartikkelit/2021/lt_4_2021-82-90.pdf

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Jama, Kaisa-Mari; Tynjälä, Päivi; Aarto-Pesonen, Leena; Malinen, Anita; Hämäläinen, Raija

Journal or series: Liikunta ja tiede

ISSN: 0358-7010

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 58

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 82-90

Publisher: Liikuntatieteellinen seura

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

Persistent website address: https://www.lts.fi/media/lts_vertaisarvioidut_tutkimusartikkelit/2021/lt_4_2021-82-90.pdf

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77876

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to describe the qualitative variation in different meanings that the graduates attributed to the formal sport education as a part of their career-oriented life narratives. Narratives enabled exploring the meanings attributed to education in relation to the complexity of career development. 60 graduates of sport degree programmes in vocational upper secondary and higher education took part in the study. They responded to an open writing invitation to graduates from graduation years 2004–2015. In the invitation they were asked to write their personal career-oriented life stories. The data was analyzed using phenomenography, that is by finding meaningful expressions from the data and then grouping them into categories of description.The results showed that the meanings attributed to sport degree studies were divided into six categories that varied in regards of content. The education was experienced as (1) disappointment, (2) instrument, (3) practical choice, (4) enabler, (5) goal-oriented route, and (6) holistic reformer. Variations between these categories were identified through five themes: a) general experience of studies, b) professional development, c) employment and career, 5) life outside work and 6) psychological needs. It was concluded that a key element in meaningfulness was the perception of how the studies have changed oneself and one’s life. Meaning of education was not only related to professional life but intertwined with life in many ways.

Keywords: physical exercise sector; education and training; examinations (degrees); experiences (knowledge); meaning (importance); career development; course of life; phenomenography

Free keywords:  sport industry; career narratives; phenomenography

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1