Why being a student athlete didnʻt translate into the business world like it was supposed to

During my 5.5 years of being a college athlete, we were constantly told that employers love hiring college athletes. It was because we have an amazing work ethic, great teamwork, clear communication, set high goals, etc. We hit every criteria for a perfect employee.

Everywhere I turned, someone was telling me this. So while I was going through college, I wasnʻt worried. I knew someone would hire me later in life. I was going to kill it. I was a standout athlete. A team captain. A recipe for success right?

Wrong. Absolutely wrong. While I did secure an internship as an insurance agent for Aflac (I know… what was I thinking), it felt like a whole new world. 

Athletes were supposed to make great sales people. They never give up in the face of adversity. We stand up every time we fail. 

But what people donʻt understand is, the reason why we try so damn hard at our sport is because we freaking love it. We love it so much, we would do anything to get a little bit better. 

I did NOT love insurance. I didnʻt. Surprising I know! 

Iʻve been so confused as to why I wonʻt work even a fraction as hard as I would for volleyball. And I figured it out. I donʻt love it. I donʻt love the work that Iʻm doing. 

In fact, I dread it. And I know it canʻt just be me.

I tried

Iʻve had a handful of jobs now and have almost been every type of worker: W-2, 1099, 100% commission, hourly,  started my own businesses. And after all of that, thereʻs still nothing Iʻd want to do for the rest of my life or even just a couple years. 

Iʻve been an athletic trainer assistant, insurance agent, marketing and recruiting coordinator, restaurant server, medical sales rep (current), digital marketing/website design freelancer and ecommerce store owner. The only job that I didnʻt dread was working as a server in two of my favorite local restaurants. This was the job that was most looked down upon as a graduate with a masters degree and yet, the most enjoyable. 

Riddle me that.

Even when I tried my hand at entrepreneurship, I couldnʻt sustain that. And it was my idea! Itʻs a lot of work day in and day out. Doing the same things over and over became monotonous. I started to wonder, ʻam I a lazy piece of shit?ʻ

Maybe I am.

Is there something out there?

I wonder a lot if Iʻll ever find anything I love as much as volleyball. Iʻm lucky enough to be able to continue playing my sport and yet unlucky enough to not make enough money to live off of it. 

However, when it all inevitably ends, whatʻs next? Do I continue to work a job I donʻt like very much, but pays the bills? Or do I keep looking? 

I have to believe that everything will work out and I do. I know Iʻm not a lazy piece shit and neither are you (probably). I do hope we find it and I think we will be glad we waited.

What do you think? Have you found something you like post athletics? Let me know below!