Stuck Between Two Options

[rcmolloy]

Ok everyone,

I am currently stuck between two options with my path for senior year. So I have played football for my 3 year career at my high school. With that said, freshman year was the most fun out of all of them. Now, it seems like the sport is a job and something I do not want to be apart of anymore. Everyday I go to practice and I dread it. Football is fun and all but there's too much negativity associated with it. I'm currently not even guaranteed a starting position. So whats the point? With that, it is my senior year and should be fun.

On the other hand, my parents want me to work as well. I know with a job I can have a much more positive attitude because I get to apply to places that I like to be around. For example, a ski shop. I love to ski and snowboard so I think that would be a great place for me. Even though the job market is tough, I know I could find a place to work in the summer. Also, I could focus on the robotics part of my life as well. That is something I never want to go away. The organization has given me so much opportunity for fun and creativity.

So for CD, I need some assistance for what I should do? Should I do the thing I don't like that much but still see my friends on a daily basis or open my life to a new experience?

[Chris is me]

the sport is a job and something I do not want to be apart of anymore.

There's your answer. If you want a job, you might as well take one that pays you.

[The Cyborg]

I have had a very similar problem that you had, only with marching band. I was in marching band for the first 2 years I was in high school, and I loved parts of it, but hated most of it. The negativity associated with competing with other bands made me uncomfortable, and there were lots of conflicts within the band that made me stressed. I've had some great friends who were in marching band, though. Then I discovered FIRST, and realized where my true niche was. It was a tough decision to give up marching band, but in the end I still saw my friends every so often and I've had a huge burden lifted off of my back. I believe to this day that I have made the correct choice here.

So basically, do what you like to do. If you hate being in football, then don't be in football. If it's for your friends, then feel free to keep in touch with them via Facebook and whatnot. Don't put yourself through something you don't want to do much for the sake of others.
Also, having a job especially in this economy and this time in your live is extremely important as you are getting ready to prepare yourself for the life ahead of you.

[klrswift]

I have a had a situation or two somewhat similar to this. What I have learned to use to guide decisions like this is "Do what makes you happy, and forget everyone who tells you otherwise." It sounds to me like you aren't particularly happy with football, and doing something else would make you happy.

As for getting a job, where would you put FIRST on your resume? I list my FIRST experience as work experience and I would encourage you to do the same.

Getting a job would provide you with spending money, and hopefully some savings. However, focusing on your team and FIRST may give you more opportunities to better your team and your community, not to mention the experience you would gain.

[EricH]

If you don't like football, you don't have to play it. If you like skiing, a job at a ski shop, especially in winter, would be more enjoyable, and less like work. "Do what you like to do, and you won't work a day in your life."

To klrswift, I don't list FIRST in the jobs portion of my resume. I list it in the projects section, right next to my Aero Design team. It's a good place to put things like that if you're going into an engineering field--employers look at that differently than a job.

[ATannahill]

A coin flip is a wonderful thing. Not because it makes the decision for you, but because when the coin is in the air, you realize what you really want.

[O'Sancheski]

i am in the same boat you are in right now... i am torn weather i should stay with playing varsity baseball at my high school or focusing all my time to robotics ... i too dread everyday going to practice... i sit in my last period class thinking, oh the day is over, wait, i have baseball practice... the only thing is, i am guaranteed a starting spot, so i don't want to let the team down... i am still to young to look for a job yet, but i want to focus all of my time to engineering and robotics

[ATannahill]

Originally Posted by O'Sancheski

i want to focus all of my time to engineering and robotics

Nice story. Besides the grammar, I really like the line I quoted.

[rcmolloy]

Originally Posted by rtfgnow

A coin flip is a wonderful thing. Not because it makes the decision for you, but because when the coin is in the air, you realize what you really want.

Probably one of the best quotes I have ever heard. I know that I am not going to do that because I am kind of making up my mind but that's a great alternative.

Originally Posted by O'Sancheski

i am in the same boat you are in right now... i am torn weather i should stay with playing varsity baseball at my high school or focusing all my time to robotics ... i too dread everyday going to practice... i sit in my last period class thinking, oh the day is over, wait, i have baseball practice... the only thing is, i am guaranteed a starting spot, so i don't want to let the team down... i am still to young to look for a job yet, but i want to focus all of my time to engineering and robotics

See, I feel obligated as well because I COULD be playing. I just don't have anymore effort to put towards it because I have been let down every single time. I would rather focus that energy on something else. I'm necessarily giving up on football but opening my options more to my life. With that said, I also have a job/internship/shadowing experience that I can take part in. I think that would be more beneficial then playing football.

[DonRotolo]

Long before you were born, I had the same decision: as a senior, I found that I no longer enjoyed playing football. So, after a week of practice, I decided to quit.

Several team members came up to me asking why. All of them reminded me that I would most certainly get some playing time, since I was a senior, at least enough time to get a letter. I have a feeling it would be the same for you, too.

Talk to the coach, explain what used to be fun and why it's not anymore. You have some time before season starts. Maybe things will change.

On the other hand, maybe they won't, but at least you'll have talked it out with your coach.

[rcmolloy]

Don,

I like how we have similar ideas/actions for senior year. The thing is I really want to play but at the same time I don't. It's a hate love relationship for me and football haha. Also, I want to focus on getting money for college and entering the work force. I have an engineering mini-internship on hold right now because of my decision. Will football be beneficial for my next ten years? No because I am not playing in college or in the NFL. That's why I am on the fence.

Although Don, would you go back and play or would you have said you were better off?

[DonRotolo]

Good question, and I have thought about it many times since then (over 30 years ago).

I probably would not play if I was given the choice again. I did play intramural touch football in college, for the fun of the game, but there nobody cared how good you weren't. Not playing didn't improve my career outlook, probably as much as playing wouldn't have improved it either. I'd like to say that instead of football, I devoted my extra time to better grades, but I did not. Should've.

I guess the message is that you need to do what's right for you. Talk it out with someone, just to make sure your thought process is rational when someone else hears it. Doesn't have to be the coach, but someone who knows you and is trusted to give you honest opinions and not just what you want to hear.

In the big scheme of things, it's not a life-changing event, but put in some effort to validate the decision, that way you'll have no regrets.

Did I make the right choice? I still think so, but I'm not 100% sure, never will be.