Starr writes:
I’m in college and will soon face the dilemma of having to choose a major, a frightening concept when I have no real clue. I am an athlete (swimmer) and would like a career in sports/athletics. I don’t think I have the stamina or aptitude to be a sports doctor, like I had dreamt of, but I know there must be other exciting opportunities that await me. My question for you is, where should I begin to look at sports/athletic careers? Teaching is on the low end of the totem pole of excitement, so I’d like to consider everything from physical therapy to perhaps positions held in the Olympic arena.
The Career Doctor responds:
One of the biggest decisions college students make during their college careers is choosing a major, and while it is an important decision, I truly hope it is not a dilemma for you!
The sports and exercise science and allied health fields are among the fastest growing professions in the U.S., and you do, in fact, have many options ahead of you.
Here’s what I would suggest you do:
- Decide what it is that you enjoy about being an athlete.
- Talk to your coach(es) about various career options for you.
- Contact some recent and not so recent alums who were swimmers — you should be able to get their names from either your career placement center, your alumni office, or perhaps your coach if he or she has been there a number of years.
From this combination self-analysis and networking, you should at least have some directions for doing some research into various majors… which you should conduct by meeting with professors in the various departments housing those majors.
For a lot more tips and advice on choosing a major, take a few minutes to read Choosing a College Major: How to Chart Your Ideal Path.
