Career College

Recently, graduating from college, it seems, has sprouted a ripe mid-life crisis for the college student.  It may not result in buying a convertible and a condo in southern Florida, but it does send soon-to-be college grads in a downward spiral as they freak out about their futures, their jobs and, well, surviving real life.

Graduating is almost like watching Paranormal Activity; it’s just plain terrifying.

Because of the current economy (read: in the toilet) many of us are making some pretty rash decisions when it comes to choosing majors and getting the ball rolling on our futures. Students are trying to do whatever they can to get ahead of their peers, often choosing majors early in order to get a head start on internships, jobs and other experiences valuable to an attractive resume. Some schools are even getting rid of their “useless” majors – like Philosophy – in favor of majors that will actually get students some jobs – like Business.

But is being so totally focused and career minded in college really the right way to go?

Some people don’t think so.

Besides specializing in “Ramen Cuisine,” college is an essential time to focus on your career. I mean, that’s why we’re here, right? It often feels that you haven’t even unpacked your bags into your tiny dorm room before your academic advisor is pressuring you to declare your major, and fast. And it makes sense; money is tight and it’s important to get moving on a path that will secure a successful job in the future.  Unless you want to live in your parents’ basement with the family pet, college is the key to jump-starting your life.  Declaring your major early gives you more experience in the field and the opportunity to rope in an internship right away. All things that will eventually make you more appealing to that HR guy in the suit.

At the same time, though, maybe this isn’t the only aspect of college we should be focusing on.

Is getting a job the only reason people get a college education? And is a business student who only knows statistics, finance and how the banking industry works really the most appealing job candidate? What happened to being well-rounded? To being multi-dimensional? That was really important during the college application process, so why not now? Even more, how are you supposed to know what you want to do if you’ve never given anything else a chance? College is a time to explore. To learn. To try new things and find your path. Not to choose the major that makes the most money and hope you can survive it.

College, if you take advantage of all the opportunities it has to offer, opens more doors than Inconsiderate Ian did for you on your last blind date.  It also happens to be the last time you’re really given the freedom to explore such a wide variety of options. I get that we’re all desperate to nab those highly coveted jobs post graduation, but that doesn’t mean we have to lock ourselves into a box just yet. Nor that doing so is the key to success.

So, what do you think? Are we wasting our time on those art and religion classes? Should we be more focused on our trade?

Most college football fans in Jacksonville are focused on the exits of Florida State coach Bobby Bowden at the Gator Bowl and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in the Sugar Bowl, marking the end of two stupendous careers that will be nearly impossible to duplicate.

Today at the Texas Bowl in Houston, a remarkable college run for Jacksonville native Clint Sovie will reach the finish line amid far less hoopla, but it deserves as much respect and honor.

Sovie, a senior linebacker at the U.S. Naval Academy, will suit up one last time for the Midshipmen today against Missouri, closing a football chapter of his life that only a privileged few players experience.

He might have lost his starting job midway through this season, but Sovie hasn't lost perspective. He honestly wouldn't trade places with Tebow or any of Sovie's former Bolles teammates - Alabama tight end Colin Peek, Central Florida receiver Rocky Ross, or Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner and defensive tackle John Russell - who might be on NFL rosters next year.

"I'm part of a brotherhood," Sovie said. "I'd do anything for them. That's what's special about it. It's been a wild, fun ride."

Sovie, 24, never had his name engraved on a Heisman Trophy or his picture on the cover of Sports Illustrated. But his memories of five years at the academy, including a medical redshirt for missing most of the 2007 season with a severe ankle injury, are no less significant than players on the ESPN highlights.

Last year, after being voted his team's defensive captain, Sovie shook President Bush's hand at the Army-Navy game and presented him the gift of a helmet signed by all the players.

"It was a blast," Sovie said. "Just walking on the field for the coin toss in the Army-Navy game, there's so much history there. The No. 1 thing about being voted captain is the fact your peers make you the face of the team. I've never had an honor that matches that."

Sovie, who graduated from the academy last week and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, has a future mapped out that could put him in line for honors of a different kind.

Once Sovie goes to officer training school in Quantico, Va., in late March, preceded by his marriage to flight-school enrollee Allie Moreland (she ran track at Navy), he has four months to decide whether to join the Marine infantry as a ground fighter or combat engineer. He's leaning toward ground fighting, because he's intrigued about leading Marines in battle.

"What's so great about this country is the people willing to go out and fight for it," Sovie said. "They don't have to be pressured into it. We're totally volunteer. I'm excited about leading men and women like that."

Sovie was considered too small (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) to be recruited by the big-time football programs, but his heart is plenty big enough for the challenges ahead. That might include potentially hazardous duties in Afghanistan within 12 to 15 months.

Football fans get caught up in celebrating the accomplishments of Bowden and Tebow, but let's not forget special figures like Clint Sovie.

Because once Sovie's college football career is done today, the next uniform he puts on should be as worthy of our appreciation as any in the NFL.

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