Chapter 19

 The Mountain is Steep:

Much steeper than I thought

 

A week ago I packed my bags and headed to Chapel Hill for an opportunity of a lifetime. I was becoming a UNC Football Manager, which is something that the few have ever had the chance to do. I was super excited about the position, but I was a little skeptical about the time commitment.

When I arrived on Saturday, July 27^th I began my journey as a college football manager.

Most people probably don’t realize how much effort is put in behind the scene at any college sport. In fact, it was an eye opening experience for me because I really have never appreciated how much time people work each day for very little pay. Cooks, hotel maids, teachers, and a manager are just a few of the career fields that were created to serve others.

A manger has many responsibilities outside of helping set up for practice. For instance, during the first couple of days we sorted and issued clothing for each of the players. This task was by no means strenuous on the body, but mentally exhausting.  I was able to learn how to fold a shirt in a retail fold, which I didn’t even know existed. The manager job required me to be on my feet for almost 12 hours. I am not one to back down from hard work, but during summer football camp, the life of a manager is pretty grueling.

While we were working I would hear stories about past managers, and how of an awesome time they had. I heard stories about the bowl game experience. Then, I heard stories of people only seeing their family a few times a year, and only attending one Christmas in three years. Those words hurt. They hurt because my family has been the reason that I have been successful and the reason that I am in the position I am in. The rings, the clothes, and all of the rest of the gear sounded so nice, but none of it could match Christmas with my family.  After hearing all of the meat behind the job it made me really reconsider the job I had taken.

I began thinking almost every second after I heard news that I probably wouldn’t be home for Christmas.  Then I got to thinking about the time that I would spend with the team during practice, games, and travel.  My GPA was something that kept crossing my mind. I still haven’t marked getting into business school off my goals. Now, I am not saying that the manager position would have lowered my GPA, but I was just worried that it would be very difficult to maintain a decent GPA, be a manager, and still live the college life that I love. When I speak about the mountain that was steeper than I thought, I am talking about college. College is an uphill climb the whole way. There are no down hills, no breaks, and no short cuts. It’s something that is a learning process and each day will bring a new challenge.

So, after dinner tonight I called my parents. I had already been texting them with the emotions that I was feeling. They of course allowed me to make the decision, but they were able to steer me in the correct direction.

After I got off the phone with my parents, I decided that it would be in my best interest to quit the manager position. I decided this solely on my goal to be accepted into the business school, and to apply to a very competitive program called GLOBE.

I am disappointed in myself that I didn’t see this once in a lifetime experience through, but I also know that there was a reason for being a manager for only six days. Maybe it was to learn how to fold clothes properly, or maybe it was just for me to have that short lived experience. College is about the journey, no matter the task. It is not about just moving in or graduating, but it’s about the climb to the podium.

I may have fallen down, but I will be back on my feet shortly, climbing till I can’t climb no more.