Exploring Predictors of Graduate School and Career Success: A Case Study in Sport Management

The following case study attempted to assess what factors contribute to graduate school and early-career success among sport management graduate students. As faculty members charged with admitting the next generation of leaders in the sport industry, how should admissions decisions be made and what factors should be considered? The authors utilized a mixed methodological case study design to determine whether any of the sixteen independent variables (admissions criteria) predict graduate school and early-career success. Graduate school success was measured by GPA and comprehensive exam scores, while early-career success was measured through an aggregate success variable including salary, length of time to find first job, and path to career success. Results indicate that while none of the independent variables significantly predicted either graduate school or early career success, short-term career success was significantly correlated with undergraduate GPA, decision GPA and age.