Why do I sometimes feel like an "outsider" within my major?

Student Lounge College Life
1

My major: Physical Activity & Fitness Managment (I’m currently a senior in college)

Most people in my major are more passionate about fitness & health/wellness than me. Some of them are also on sports teams. Even though I do care about fitness & health to a certain degree, my main interest is more sports related, like football & hockey. My main goal is to work for any sports team, college or professional. My intended job title goes along the lines of gameday setup/tear down, stadium work, & working/handling the equipment. Furthermore, I already got a head start by volunteering with the football team this season, along with working as an eqiupment assistant for the other sports teams prior.

I’m also open to becoming an athletic director or a behind the scenes worker rather than becoming a personal trainer, yet there’s not really a college major for the goals that I listed.

However, I just feel out of place at times. I’m not sure if it has to do with my level of being passionate about fitness & health, or my increased sports interest. It’s too late to change my major now since I’m in my last year & almost finished, but our Sports Management major focuses more on the business side of things, which is why I chose my current major:

If I can get both Sports & Fitness experince on my resume, then who knows what my options will look like after I graduate?

2

Maybe you feel like an outsider because you are interested in a different aspect of the field than you perceive most of your peers. It’s okay to be into the part that you are interested in.

3

You can only feel like an outsider if you let yourself. Decide you’re an insider and start thinking like one.

You have some great career goals! Great path!

4

I think this is something that gets left unsaid a lot and is why some students decide to switch majors just as their knowledge is reaching the point where they understand their field—the cracks start to show as people determine their paths. I felt the same way my senior year because I was PhD/science bound rather than industry bound as an engineering major in a school that prides itself on industry placements. Since you’re sure about your path, just know that it’s ok to be an outsider sometimes, and you’ll likely find a great community wherever you end up.