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I want to be a pro athlete; do I really need college/to pick a major?
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3 answers
Marshall Main
Director, Manager, Videographer
75
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Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Marshall’s Answer
Greetings-
Pro Athletes are scouted from schools or existing teams. Depending on the sport, sometimes its Universities and sometimes times its High Schools. So being in school is important and training and being on a team is also important. Universities do scout from high schools and the pro level scouts from Universities and existing teams in the pro world (this is for any sport that scouts/ sign tallent).
Usually if a university scouts a player, they can get a scholarship to go to that college. They will want your primary focus to be the sport you were scouted for, but at the same time, you have the opportunity to get a degree in something. Many professional athletes have used their education later in life (such as majoring in business - they can become a coach or private trainer business).
And then there is another thing to consider, which is Life is not predictable. You could become injured and no longer able to play. That would end your career in that sport. This could happen before you even get a contract with a pro team. There is also the possibility that you are not given a contract after finishing school. You will need to still make rent and get food, what would you do if you can't play?
So it would be a good idea if you are going to college to pick a major or at least take some classes that have a focus and teach something you can use. I would suggest taking a look at what that school specializes in and what things interest you if you know where you are going. You may not even know what you could/ want to do, so when you get to school, take a class or two (i.e. if you like cooking, take a culinary class, if you like writing take a creative writing class, if you like drawing take an art class etc). Try things out. Make a list of things you like to do or things you could see yourself doing if you couldn't play.
If you are lucky and good enough to get scouted and contracted out of school, then you would be lucky, but still not guaranteed to have it stay that way. The chances of this happening are very rare and there is still a risk that something could happen causing you to no longer be able to play or the team cancelling your contract down the road. It's never a bad idea to think about the future and have some idea of a plan for what life might throw at you that you can't predict.
Otherwise you will want to be sure that you are really focusing on your skills as an athlete. Practice practice practice, be better than the best. There are hundreds to thousands of people just like you that have the same dream and there are only so many contracts and seats available each year. You will want to listen to your coaches and mentors and really give your all to be sure that you get one of those seats when the time is right. And stay in school!
Pro Athletes are scouted from schools or existing teams. Depending on the sport, sometimes its Universities and sometimes times its High Schools. So being in school is important and training and being on a team is also important. Universities do scout from high schools and the pro level scouts from Universities and existing teams in the pro world (this is for any sport that scouts/ sign tallent).
Usually if a university scouts a player, they can get a scholarship to go to that college. They will want your primary focus to be the sport you were scouted for, but at the same time, you have the opportunity to get a degree in something. Many professional athletes have used their education later in life (such as majoring in business - they can become a coach or private trainer business).
And then there is another thing to consider, which is Life is not predictable. You could become injured and no longer able to play. That would end your career in that sport. This could happen before you even get a contract with a pro team. There is also the possibility that you are not given a contract after finishing school. You will need to still make rent and get food, what would you do if you can't play?
So it would be a good idea if you are going to college to pick a major or at least take some classes that have a focus and teach something you can use. I would suggest taking a look at what that school specializes in and what things interest you if you know where you are going. You may not even know what you could/ want to do, so when you get to school, take a class or two (i.e. if you like cooking, take a culinary class, if you like writing take a creative writing class, if you like drawing take an art class etc). Try things out. Make a list of things you like to do or things you could see yourself doing if you couldn't play.
If you are lucky and good enough to get scouted and contracted out of school, then you would be lucky, but still not guaranteed to have it stay that way. The chances of this happening are very rare and there is still a risk that something could happen causing you to no longer be able to play or the team cancelling your contract down the road. It's never a bad idea to think about the future and have some idea of a plan for what life might throw at you that you can't predict.
Otherwise you will want to be sure that you are really focusing on your skills as an athlete. Practice practice practice, be better than the best. There are hundreds to thousands of people just like you that have the same dream and there are only so many contracts and seats available each year. You will want to listen to your coaches and mentors and really give your all to be sure that you get one of those seats when the time is right. And stay in school!
Your answer is awesome. Great information!
T.J. Worthy
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
745
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
College can provide valuable experience to prepare you for a future career, both in athletics and off the field.
I always encourage people to think of it as an internship for life. You are gaining valuable experience both in athletics and in academics.
The athletics prepares you for a potential opportunity in athletics, and the academics helps to prepare you for opportunities in life.
So, I believe college is an excellent choice. Plus, you might discover a major or a subject that you would like to pursue in the future. Something you have a great passion for off the athletic field.
I always encourage people to think of it as an internship for life. You are gaining valuable experience both in athletics and in academics.
The athletics prepares you for a potential opportunity in athletics, and the academics helps to prepare you for opportunities in life.
So, I believe college is an excellent choice. Plus, you might discover a major or a subject that you would like to pursue in the future. Something you have a great passion for off the athletic field.
Angella chepchirchir
SEO, MARKETING, ANALYST , psychologist
76
Answers
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Angella’s Answer
Training as a pro athletes needs passion and determination. You can start on your own and later join competitions to showcase your talents. However, being in college gives you higher chances to qualify for excellent skills as colleges have more qualified athletes ready to athletes who would improve your competition skills and increase your journey towards being pro-athlete.