Alumni Perception of Industry Engagement

The purpose of this study was to examine sport management experiential learning curriculum and how sport industry exposure (such as applied coursework, practicums, field trips, guest lectures, industry networking events, and other immersive/educational experiences) aligns with student satisfaction and occupational preparedness. Qualitative data was collected to examine alumni’s perceived occupational preparedness and satisfaction with the experiential learning curriculum in East Stroudsburg University’s (ESU) sport management program. Alumni from the university were interviewed about their education and exposure to the sport industry while enrolled at the university. Using Daniel Funk’s Sport Experience Design Model (2017) as a conceptual framework, the analysis uncovered five emergent themes: 1) Combining a passion for sport with business concepts, 2) hands-on learning and networking, 3) real-world application and transferable skills, 4) alignment with industry expectation, and 5) extracurricular engagement. These themes serve as a basis for understanding the influence of industry exposure on perceived student satisfaction and occupational preparedness. Upon completing this action research study, the emergent themes collectively depict the landscape of experiential learning within the sport management program and guide future inquiry and development.