CareerZing talks with Brett Zager, a recent high school graduate from the Nashville, Tennessee area, on how he’s feeling about the transition from high school to university life and selecting a career.  Brett will attend Florida State University this August:

 

 

What is the biggest issue on your mind as you transition from high school student to college student?

The biggest issue on my mind as I transition from high school student to college student is just having to take care of myself and be independent. I will have to manage my time with everything I have to do.

 

What is your major for now and how certain are you about it? 

My major for now is Exploratory Education and Teaching. It is Sports Management and I am exploring it, as the name suggests. I am not certain at all whether I will keep it or not, but I know I love sports and that's why I chose a major that has to do with sports.

 

Is “Exploratory Education” a major?

“Exploratory Education and Teaching” is the name of the major – it is part of the Sports Management Program at FSU.  I arrived at the idea of Sports Management being a possible major when my mom told me that she had been told that Sports Management is the major you should choose if you are interested in being a sports agent or something along those lines. I haven't really considered other majors that had to do with sports because there is only one other sports major at FSU, which is exercise science, and I wasn't interested in that.

 

How do you feel about the lifestyle changes you will experience when you go off to college?   What kinds of adjustments do you think you’ll have to make?

I'm a little bit nervous about the lifestyle changes I'm going to have to make. I'll have to go out to eat most of the time, as there probably won't be any food in my dorm. I'll have to do my own laundry. Basically, anything that I need or want I will have to go out and get/find myself. This is exciting and it makes me nervous at the same time, but I look forward to it.

 

I’ve been noticing in my interviews with other high school students that there is a high level of anxiety about deciding on a career direction but little dedication given to exploring careers.  At such a crucial time for doing just that, why do you think people in this age group spend a relatively small amount of time using their resources to explore a career direction?

It is not the main focus on their minds as of now. They are more focused on adapting to college life and having fun at college. Also, they may not want to make such a big decision so quickly because it is scary to them that they have to choose what they'll be doing for the rest of their life.

 

 

Who has been the most influential person/people in terms of your decisions about the future and why?

My parents, because they have always helped me in my decisions and they have always wanted what's best for me.

 

 

 

 

 

What kind of support and/or resources did you get throughout your school years so far that helped you begin your career search?

Unfortunately, I don't recall receiving any guidance or help from counselors or teachers during my school years regarding a career choice.

 

What steps, other than taking classes, do you plan to take to be sure of your career choice?

Other than taking classes, I plan on visiting the career help center at Florida State, where I can talk with a professional about what might be my best career option.