An examination of the relationship between the academic achievements and employment anxiety of Faculty of Sports Sciences students

This study aims to examine the relationship between the academic achievement and job search anxiety of students enrolled in the Faculty of Sports Sciences. The study evaluates the effects of demographic variables such as gender, class level, departmental differences, expectations of working outside their field after graduation, regular physical activity, and reading habits on job search anxiety. Technological advancements and economic uncertainties have intensified competition in the job market, exacerbating students' job search anxiety post graduation. In particular, sports sciences students may encounter greater uncertainty in their career planning and face challenges such as insufficient experience during the employment process. This study addresses a significant gap in the literature by investigating the correlation between job search anxiety and academic achievement among sports sciences students. The population of the study consists of students from the Faculty of Sports Sciences at Bayburt University. The research sample includes students from various class levels and departments during the 2024-2025 academic year. As a data collection tool, the "Job Search Anxiety Scale for Sports Sciences Students" (JSASS), developed by Aslan and Uğraş (2021), was employed. Academic achievement data were collected through the students' Grade Point Averages (GPA), while a demographic information form gathered personal details and key variables relevant to the study. The findings reveal that gender has a significant impact on job search anxiety and academic achievement. Female students exhibited significantly higher levels of job search anxiety and higher academic achievement scores compared to their male counterparts. The study highlights that job search anxiety intensifies among fourth-year students nearing graduation, especially in recreation and coaching departments. It underscores the link between academic achievement and job search anxiety in sports sciences students, emphasizing the need for career planning, stress management, and employment support programs. Keywords: Job search anxiety, academic achievement, faculty of sports sciences, career planning, sports.