Post College Carrers

[McGee]

It seems that way too many D1 players graduate from college with few if any strong career prospects. I can think of at least a dozen in my area who returned from college with no job prospects and find themselves relegated to making money providing private lessons and coaching local teams. On the other hand I see what seems like a higher percentage of D3 players landing full time jobs and beginning viable careers.

I wonder if there is any reliable data about how different individual schools and the different divisions perform regarding the post graduate careers of their players. This should be critical information to be considered in the recruiting process but the information is mostly hearsay.

Any comments or ideas?

[exD1dad]

There are only so many things an exercise science major can do (isn't that that the #1 major in the SEC?) & sadly our economy sucks.

Anyone else think a correlation to making a commitment to a college before you can legally drive a car has anything to do with players being unemployed post graduation?

[FullCount]

Anyone else think a correlation to making a commitment to a college before you can legally drive a car has anything to do with players being unemployed post graduation?

Although I see your point, the only question I have regarding early verbals is regarding timing... Isn't it a fairly recent phenomenon? (i.e. last few years). These "early verbals" are still in high school, or just starting college... If the girls graduating now are the ones in question, then this would not be a relevant issue to the current problem. We would have to wait a few more years to make that obsevation.

[fastpitchdad05]

There are only so many things an exercise science major can do (isn't that that the #1 major in the SEC?) & sadly our economy sucks.

Anyone else think a correlation to making a commitment to a college before you can legally drive a car has anything to do with players being unemployed post graduation?

Mom, DD and I would have probably gotten all starry-eyed and accepted an early verbal if DD had gotten one. But thanks to my incompetence and inexperience in getting my DD recruited she is still looking and we are very grateful for that. All three of us can make a much better decision (together) now than we would have then.

Better to be lucky than good sometimes.

[PDad]

There are only so many things an exercise science major can do (isn't that that the #1 major in the SEC?)...

Evidently medical school is an option. Kelly Hensley (FSU) missed the first week of med school while playing in WCWS.

Undergraduate degrees aren't an end in and of themselves - it really depends on the individual and what they do with it.

[jonriv]

Most stats I have seen show college softball players having a high graduation rates vs other athletes and also against all students

[Dugout Dad]

It seems that way too many D1 players graduate from college with few if any strong career prospects. I can think of at least a dozen in my area who returned from college with no job prospects and find themselves relegated to making money providing private lessons and coaching local teams. On the other hand I see what seems like a higher percentage of D3 players landing full time jobs and beginning viable careers.

I wonder if there is any reliable data about how different individual schools and the different divisions perform regarding the post graduate careers of their players. This should be critical information to be considered in the recruiting process but the information is mostly hearsay.

Any comments or ideas?

I don't think DI, DII, or DIII has anything to do with players getting jobs. There are many quality DI softball schools with players earning quality degrees. In fact, many employers like the fact that the applicant was a high level collegiate athlete: it shows teamwork, time management, resourcefulness and dedication.
On a side note, many love the fact that they got a college softball player for the company softball team

[tbjd33]

What's the alternative... Enter the work force after highschool graduation? No matter what a DD with a college paper is far better off. Period!

Commit in 8th grade or senior year, go to major D1 or NAIA it is better than the alternative. Parents help your kids and create a plan. You've all heard the saying , "if you don't plan you plan to fail!" Just saying...

[McGee]

Many companies, like Enterprise Car Rental, do like to kids who played sports in college. The problem is that the upside is limited but smart hard workers will survive. My point is that smart kids should look long and hard at college sports and only do it if they really love the game. From most perspectives, they are bette off going to the best school they can and engage in a wide range of activities while in college.

Playing softball just to get a scholarship is a bad idea. I do think the sport is putting the cart way ahead of the horse as verbal offers now go to very young kids. This proves to me that the best interest of the girls are far behind the best interest of the coach and the program and this is a huge problem.

[DaMann]

Most of the young ladies that I communicate with are just taking a break for a year before entering grad school. They usually come back home because of free rent and they have local contacts in the softball world.