Volunteering in an After School Program as a Socialization, Social and Emotional Learning Experience for College Students

ABSTRACT

This study sought to understand the influence of participation in a physical activity-based, social and emotional learning-focused after-school. Undergraduate students (N = 25) from a variety of ethnic backgrounds participated in semi-structured interviews and regular journaling. Data were analyzed inductively and deductively through the lens of occupational socialization theory. Four themes were developed: (a) career confirmation, refinement, and reevaluation that occurred from volunteering; (b) career development through hands-on experiences; (c) personal and interpersonal development through working with others; and (d) development in relationships and emotional health. The participants found the program to be valuable for their career choices, whether it was confirming their career choice or changing it. It also increased their ability to use social and emotional strategies to deepen relationships and navigate stress within and outside of the program. Implications for research and practice are discusses in relation to the findings.

KEYWORDS:

• Social and emotional learning
• university-community partnerships
• post-secondary education
• sport-for-development
• career development

Acknowledgements

This study was supported from a [blinded for review] grant provided by [blinded for review].

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2023.2276470

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of illinois Urbana-Champaign [CO+RE Grant].