From Field to Future: Translating Extracurricular Activities into Transferable Skills for Career Success
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Extracurricular Activities, Transferable Skills, Career Success, Skill Development, Varsity Athletics, Student Athletes, Career Influencer, Skills Articulation
Abstract
This article explores the connection between skill development in extracurricular activities and skills needed for the workplace, highlighting the results from a survey with the Seneca Sting Women’s Soccer Team, the 2023 Canadian College Athletic Association National Champions. Using survey results collected from the Seneca soccer team players and other broader research on employability and transferable soft skills needed in the workplace, findings reveal an awareness among the soccer players of the skills gained through participating in sports, such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration and adaptability. These findings suggest the importance of career professionals continuing to support students in developing these skills through targeted skills articulation programming that improves their confidence in communicating skills gained from academic and extracurricular activities for workplace success. This article examines the research question: How do skills gained through extracurricular activities such as varsity soccer translate into skills needed for the workplace?
Disclaimer: Some of the information in this article was previously published in the March 2026 issue of CEIA Experience Magazine. This article contains expanded context and additional information that were not previously published or included in the original version.
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Authors
Copyright (c) 2026 Luca Sirianni, Hana El Kaissi (Author)
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