[LUM#20] Arthur, age 11: “If I play sports, will I do better in school and at work?”
Arthur, age 11. Future choreographer.
We know that playing sports is good for your health. But it’s also interesting to ask whether sports have other benefits. For example, am I seen as a better student or employee if I’m an athlete? Of course, you don’t have to play sports to be a good student, but researchers have conducted studies to answer this question. When it comes to school, they found that in the United States, more student athletes go on to graduate, and on top of that, they have higher average grades on their final diploma.
When it comes to professional life, researchers have found that athletes looking for work are more likely to find a job than someone who doesn’t play sports. Those who mention in their resumes that they enjoy and participate in sports are, on average, more likely to land the job they want. It’s as if, in the eyes of a future employer, an athlete is seen as more appealing because of their passion. Taking it a step further, studies have shown—especially in the United States—that athletes have access to higher-paying jobs. The salaries of people who played sports in college and mentioned it on their resumes can be up to 9% higher than those of people who have never played sports. So it’s safe to say that companies love athletes! The question remains: why are athletes so popular when it comes to getting a job…
Several researchers have identified a list of qualities that recruiters tend to associate with people who play sports: resilience under pressure, self-confidence, the ability to work well with others, and motivation. So, of course, playing sports is very beneficial for your health, but it’s also a great way to make friends, feel good, and—if these findings are to be believed—do better in school and at work. Still, we must be careful: playing sports is not a magic formula for success. These findings are primarily from the United States, and studies in France should be conducted to compare the two countries, where the culture surrounding sports differs. Even though playing sports has many benefits, studies should also be conducted on the benefits of engaging in other activities outside of school—such as music, theater, and so on—because not everyone is lucky enough to easily find and play a sport they enjoy!
Noémie Bobin – Ph.D. candidate at the Montpellier Center for Environmental Economics (CEE-M)
An article in partnership with The Conversation.
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