Choosing a major

One of the biggest parts of this year in college was the decision of my major. I entered my junior year knowing almost nothing about my major...business management. It sounded good, it sounded useful and I was smart enough to get into the School of Business. I stuck with it, even though everyone sees me and instantly thinks of sports. I went with business even though I have been consumed by sports my entire life. Even though I researched statistics on sporting events and gave them to family members when I was young, I stuck with business.

I think you can see where this is going to end up. I've loved sports my whole life, but I got into the School of Business, which is a great school, so I studied business. Not because I wanted to, not because business was what I lived for but rather because the school of business was hard to get into, and I was lucky enough to get in.

After a week or two I realized that I hated what I was doing. I felt like I was trying to fulfill someone else's dream. My parents had urged me to stay in the School of Business because it was well regarded. I listened for awhile, but I just couldn't do it. I would find myself trying to study, but for the first time in my life I couldn't study. I was so unhappy with my major and with what I was doing that I couldn't concentrate. I'd go to class and not be able to focus. Halfway through the semester I realized I needed a change of scenery quickly. Luckily for me someone in the Sports Management Department spoke with me and encouraged me to apply for my senior year. I applied and I got in. I was overjoyed. I was so happy. It changed me as a person. I was at peace with myself because I knew that I was chasing my dream and doing what I wanted to do. I also just changed as a person. I feel like my change in majors made me a happier, more relaxed and more confident person. I was at ease, I was myself for a change. I even proudly say my major with a smile on my face.

I knew that even though the school of business is great, it wasn't what I wanted. I struggled. I am smart, but I didn't apply myself the way I knew I would need to in order to get a good job. I knew that I would need to join extracurricular business activities, to get to know all of the speakers and teachers and to be fully engaged in what I was learning about both inside and outside of the classroom. That wasn't happening. I didn't go home and want to pick up a book on accounting so I could learn more.

I did however enjoy talking about sports. I enjoyed studying sports. I bought a book on the 1999 women's world cup and it's impact on society...because I wanted to learn about it. I analyzed attendance figures in my free time because I wanted too. I want to continue my studies in sports management after I finish my first 4 years of college. The fact that I enjoyed sports is why I decided to change majors to Sports Management. I knew I'd enjoy what I was doing in school. I knew that I'd want to talk with my teachers all the time. I knew I'd be interested in going above and beyond so I can exceed. When it comes to picking a major or career field, I'd always do something that you enjoy because it will show in your work, which will show in your compensation.

I'd pick a field that I enjoy and know that I will work as hard as I can to be the best in.

Picking a major can be difficult, but maybe someone will learn from me.

I must say that you should be COMPLETELY obsessed with sports to be a sports management major because it can't be universally applied the way a business degree can be. I wouldn't advise leaving the school of business unless your a special case like me. The school of business is very good and very useful. As much as I didn't like it, I will at least graduate with a minor in business because business is useful to know and it helps accentuate my sports management major. In my case I knew that I only want to have a job that involves sports. Therefore a sports management degree is what I needed.

If you do hate your major and you have a passion for something else in life then you should change before it's too late. Do what you love because that love will show in your work.