Individual and Social Factors Influencing Sports Science Internship Students’ Practice-Based Learning: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The results of this study will help form guidelines for developing students’ capacities for learning in authentic workplace settings to better prepare them to be effective and efficient in their chosen careers. This phenomenological study examined factors influencing practice-based learning and how participants learned from their practice. Six fourth-year students majoring in sports science who had recently returned from their internships took part in this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was performed on the transcripts to characterize the participants’ shared experiences, which yielded the following seven themes of factors influencing their practice-based learning: (a) clear career goals and identification of an appropriate internship facility; (b) self-efficacy; (c) reflective practice; (d) good workplace relationships; (e) organizational leaders as agents transferring knowledge; (f ) knowledge-sharing behavior; and (g) impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Internship students also learned to identify their weaknesses in this study, communication skills, group fitness instructor skills, and a professional exercise instructor image.