PURPOSE This study developed and applied a group counseling program for university athletes’ career development. METHODS Following Kim’s (2002) procedure for developing group counseling, this program was based on social cognitive career theory and finalized by using two preliminary studies and expert validation evaluation. Afterward, Taekwondo players from University A in Chungcheongnam-do and University B in Seoul were assigned to experimental and control groups, respectively, and then a nonequivalent control group design was conducted. The experimental group was provided with a six-step career group counseling program, including introduction, understanding personal and distal context, enhancing self-efficacy and outcome expectations, developing career interest, deciding on a career, and closing, for ten 45-minute sessions, twice a week. RESULTS First, results of two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed statistically significant changes in career decision self-efficacy (self-appraisal, occupational information, goal selection, planning, and problem-solving) and career attitude maturity (determination, certainty, and independence). Second, analysis of the outcome assessment by session showed the following positive results: consideration about the future after sports retirement, self-understanding, identification of jobs that fit aptitude, improvement of self-efficacy, having a positive mindset when switching careers, confidence in one’s preferred career, exploration into solutions to career barriers, understanding of preferred career, setting specific career goals, and deeper understanding of careers. CONCLUSIONS In sum, these findings indicate that the career counseling program had a positive effect on university athletes’ career development. We hope this study will serve as a catalyst to expand the discussion on retirement from sports and career development.
