Passion not socially respected

[time traveller]

If you are going to move away from studying econ, have you researched your options for switching majors?
Have you researched which majors might best support a shot at football coaching (or some aspect of working in football or sports generally)?

Of the possible majors - which might you get a first at?

[Footballman]

timetraveller,

I am in the final year of the degree, but didn't do the exams, because I didn't work hard enough all year...because I'm not interested in the subject. I might re-sit next year, but I'm not sure.

Which subjects could I get a first in?..I think really any arts subject such as Geography, Psychology, Philosophy would all have been 1st's or high 2:1's at the very least for me(when I'm interested in something I tend to be pretty dedicated to doing well). I'm particularly interested in Philosophy for some reason - did that when I was younger and enjoyed it.

As for the soccer coaching, I'm not really sure, at the moment I kind of feel like a yo-yo...one minute I'm pleased that I'm at least having the courage to say I no longer want to do something that has caused me so much pain(the degree subject), but on the other hand I have missed out on four years of what could've been fun times...friends, parties, a degree etc...I just stayed in my room most of the time watching t.v...trying to dissociate from the negative feelings in me. Isn't college/university meant to be fun? It might take me a while to get over this...a while to recuperate I mean?

I suppose I could look to do something related to sports in the future. I'm interested in things like posturology, sports and exercise science, things related to health and well being also. One of my ex teammates, is currently doing a degree in kinesiology. One thing I cannot deal with is seeing injuries though, so I couldn't go into physiotherapy. I suppose I need to think some more about it.

I'm also not sure how I would cope being a soccer coach, knowing that inside me was a worldclass player that never even dedicated himself to make it to the big time - that could be a stumbling block, but I'm sure I'll get over that.

[sk8joyful]

Originally Posted by Footballman

Hi there,
I'm a university student studying Economics. I hate Economics.

Alternatively I enjoy soccer and would like to coach it, or be involved with it.
Most people would consider this a 'hobby' rather than a 'job'.
Alternatively I could get a degree in something 'fairly' interesting and get a professional job, earn decent money, have a family etc, live 'comfortably'.

What's your thoughts?
Thanks

it makes no sense to follow the failed hiway too many others have: hate something, keep doing it, 'til you're dis-eased,
get burned-out, only to then 'comfortably' die Insane, you agree.

Rather, find your passion, develop this, and make your moral societal contribution doing what deep inside you love...
.

[Talkofthatown919]

Seems as if you have a keen interest in soccer. Find something involving that or whatever it is you enjoy doing and figure out a way you could get paid for it. also would you be willing to do this even if you didn't get paid for it

[Amandaaa]

If you're in your final year of college, and Econ is your major, then I would stick it out for the last year. (Plenty of people end up working in fields that have nothing to do with their major.) At the same time, though, I would start researching the possible career paths that you could take in the realm of sports coaching or music or whatever you're interested in.

Maybe you could even go to grad school to study something that directly applies to the industry that you want to work in...? Maybe do an internship during your last year of school to get a feel for what it's like to work in other environments? (Your internship could be completely unrelated to economics. Most people will hire you as an intern regardless of your major; all they care about is that you're passionate, eager to learn, and eager to work.)


And as for the thing about "passion" not being "socially respected"... I think that's definitely false. I've been noticing this a lot lately-- and I think that the people who are the most respected are the ones who recognize their strengths, and then find a way to use those gifts to make money and enjoy life. They seem to be the most determined, because they're so engaged and interested in what they're doing.

I know that when you're in school, it might seem like more of an intellectual competition...but when you're done with that, it's really just about finding something that's fun for you, because that's the only way that you'll really succeed. And your peers really don't care what you do. If they see that you're inspired, and you've made something materialize out of your "hobby," then they will respect you. (In fact, it seems like the happiest people ARE the ones who turn their "hobbies" into careers. So don't let that phobia stop you.)

[backpocket]

Don't feel too bad about yourself, footballman. Arsene Wenger has a degree in engineering and a master's in economics.

[Footballman]

Sk8joyful - you're right. I don't know how much you know about the mind body connection..but diseases=dis-ease is something I have found. When my life has been in constant dis-ease (the last 4 years)...my body has suffered diseases...which obviously restricts any relationships with the opposite sex for one. I'll try to find doing something I love in future.

Talkofthetown...I would be willing to play soccer without being paid. I don't think I would want to coach it unless I was being paid to be honest. I can tell you this..I would sooner 'survive' coaching soccer than make millions being an investment banker.

Amandaa - what you say makes perfect sense. School does have the effect of embracing intellectual competition(possibly to maintain high league performance rankings) - I would have much preferred school to teach me the importance of happiness, and in doing things you find interesting and applicable to the world. I'm totally done with the intellectual competition thing now, I just want to have fun now.

backpocket- I didn't know Arsene had two degrees wow. He does come across as quite the intellectual though, so I'm not too suprised.

[dannielo]

I would recommnend reading Phil McGraw's book "Self Matters - Creating Your Life from the Inside Out".

[Footballman]

Thanks Dannielo,

From what people have said on Amazon, it seems a fantastic book. I'll go and check it out at a bookstore.

[pauldickinson]

Arsene Wenger is a king amongst men.