The acquisition of teamwork skills in university students through extra-curricular activities

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to determine whether university students are successfully acquiring or improving skills related to teamwork through a variety of extra-curricular activities, such as sports, music, volunteering, international group work experiences and professional practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive statistics have been calculated to evaluate the normal behaviour of the variables. Accidental sampling was used via a cross-curricular study with a quasi-experimental design. An analysis of means was performed using the Student's t-test.

Findings

The results show the students to have highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, followed by adaptation and decision-making skills. The lowest scores corresponded to coordination and leadership skills. On the other hand, a significant correlation was established between extra-curricular activities and the acquisition of essential teamwork skills.

Originality/value

This study can confirm the important relation between extra-curricular activities and the acquisition of the teamwork skills that play a vital role in the overall development of our students, as well as for their integration into the job market, with particular emphasis on the acquisition of leadership skills which students are most lacking in, but which have shown to improve with any of the proposed activities. The promotion of the extra-curricular activities by the University, could greatly support our students' soft skills acquisition and complement their education.

Citation

de Prada Creo, E., Mareque, M. and Portela-Pino, I. (2021), "The acquisition of teamwork skills in university students through extra-curricular activities", Education + Training, Vol. 63 No. 2, pp. 165-181. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-07-2020-0185