My college search is somewhat unique in that I ultimately decided to attend a very different type of school than what I originally set out to attend.
I started my college search two years ago and established three requirements to support my career aspirations. At the time, I planned to become a sports broadcaster at ESPN.
The top three characteristics were simple. First, the school must offer a quality broadcast journalism department. Second, I wanted student body and alumni base large enough to offer a football team, a “college atmosphere” and some traditions unique to the university. I believe that my personality is not suited for a huge university. Lastly, the school needed to be reasonably affordable. These three criteria pointed me towards mid-sized state universities.
My college search was rather extensive, sometimes confusing. I visited nine different campuses before applying to five. Armed with five acceptance letters and a host of information, I ultimately decided to attend Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) in Nacogdoches, TX. When I considered my three critical requirements, I felt like SFA would be the best “fit” for me. I am confident that I would have been a happy and successful broadcast journalism student at SFA. Ironically, I will be attending a university this fall that doesn’t meet any of my three criteria at all. Instead I will attend a tiny private college in Hobbs, NM called the University of the Southwest (USW). USW doesn’t offer a journalism degree, has no football team and offers little in the way of tradition. Thankfully, it is reasonably affordable.
The reason is simple. I’ve dreamt of playing college soccer for as far back as I can remember, much longer than I have considered journalism as a profession. Until recently, it appeared that this was a dream that would never materialize. However, Coach Sejjemba called a few weeks ago with an opportunity for me to realize my dream of playing college soccer.
In order to achieve that dream, I will major in history at USW and build my broadcasting resume by starting a monthly internet broadcast, highlighting all athletic programs at the university.
In the end, I learned that the only criteria that truly mattered to me was the opportunity to realize my lifelong dream of playing college soccer.
I have changed my path, not my dream.
