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An 18-year-old downhill mountain biking champion admits she faces a tough choice as she decides whether to turn professional or continue her education.
Manon Carpenter, from Caerphilly, was crowned UCI Junior World Champion in Champery, Switzerland, last month and is already ranked in the top 10 elite.
She has delayed starting a degree for a year to concentrate on training and next year’s downhill World Cup series.
The teenager, who loves the "adrenaline rush," said: "It’s a hard decision".
Gap yearManon managed to train and compete while studying for her A-levels at St Martin’s in Caerphilly and was accepted on a science and Spanish degree course in Manchester.
By taking a gap year, the 18 year-old can now concentrate on training and racing but she still has to decide whether to pick up her studies again next autumn.
"I want to concentrate on downhill racing for at least one year – maybe more depending on how it goes, perhaps delay university even further."
"Having more time off university will give me a chance to become more independent and a bit more mature," she said.
"But I guess, as an athlete you peak in your early 20s, so maybe I should work at that for a few years and see how it goes," she added.
Personally, if I was in her position, I’d say give it your all and go pro! College will always be there… your physical fitness and capability and this unique opportunity won’t be.
What do you think?
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I’m all for education but you make a good point – you can go to college any time but youth is fleeting. But who says you have to compromise – why not do both? Plenty of student athletes out there, even folks training for the Olympics…
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"trek7k" wrote
I’m all for education but you make a good point – you can go to college any time but youth is fleeting. But who says you have to compromise – why not do both? Plenty of student athletes out there, even folks training for the Olympics…
Agreed. Study engineering, race semi-pro, end up with a lifelong career in cycling. When she’s too old to compete she can work in design!
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Old people can study. Young people can race. Simple, race now study later. Get all the swag you can to tide you over while studying later. 😄 Later,
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I have to agree. Race now, study later. Or study part time now. I was a 28 year old freshman at VA Tech and I turned out OK – sort of. 😏
I say go for Pro now while you can. You are only young once.
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Education first then fun either while educating or afterwards. Education should always be priority if you want to get anywhere in this world.
[i:2rtpoqf2]"Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education."…..MLK[/i:2rtpoqf2]
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"Bonsai-CP" wrote
Education first then fun either while educating or afterwards. Education should always be priority if you want to get anywhere in this world.
[i:bkrte3xu]"Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education."…..MLK[/i:bkrte3xu]
The question is… where do you want to go?
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Mountain Bike. Study part time or even just take 1-2 classes.
Almost every degree has the base courses, English and maybe some type of international studies for example. Take those while rocking it in the semi-pro/pro circuit. If racing isn’t for her, then switch to studies full-time, college isn’t going anywhere.
If she gives up racing and goes straight to college, she’ll always have that "What if?" question lingering in the back of her head.
My .02
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"Jared13" wrote
If she gives up racing and goes straight to college, she’ll always have that "What if?" question lingering in the back of her head.
My .02
+1 to that. I have that feeling sometimes about experiences I’ve passed on, and I’ve never passed on anything as big as a promising pro MTB career.
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"fat_billy" wrote
Old people can study. Young people can race. Simple, race now study later. Get all the swag you can to tide you over while studying later. 😄 Later,
and what about fat people? 😄 Later……..
Study and go semi-pro, get an engineer degree and work in the bike business
At first i thought Goo was having his normal problem of, "Need to study but I want to bike"
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I have to say she needs to do both. There is no reason that she can’t train and go pro full time, and take night or online classes. Several well known universities have full degrees that can be done online. Then she’ll be able to travel and have a pro career and still have a degree to fall back on. That sounds like a better plan than one or the other.
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"Dorado" wrote
I have to say she needs to do both. There is no reason that she can’t train and go pro full time, and take night or online classes. Several well known universities have full degrees that can be done online. Then she’ll be able to travel and have a pro career and still have a degree to fall back on. That sounds like a better plan than one or the other.
But the question is, is the online university reputable and does it have the right degree?
I’m actually thinking about trying to finish my degree online but I’m having trouble finding a reputable school that I can afford and that offers the degree I want…
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She doesn’t need to get a full degree online. If she knows what she wants as a degree (and from where, if possible) she can take online classes that fill the Gen Ed requirements or fulfill some of the "step up" classes she may need to take (for example, trig to get into calc.)
There’s nothing saying she needs to get a four-year degree in four years. We recently had someone graduate that took 1 class per semester. It took her like 20 years, but that’s an extreme example.
I would agree with Dorado saying they’re not mutually exclusive, but she does not have to go full time.
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If this year goes well for you, then go PRO, you can study later. Many folks are on the five or six year plan, plus if you do well enough you’ll be have the "ins" to go to school and work in the industry of your choice, doesn’t have to be cycling related.
Has anyone here who recommends getting a degree online actually done it? My wife took some classes online and it takes up just as much if not more time than sitting in class. Granted you don’t have to be in class, but the reputable ones expect a lot more online discussion.
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I’ve taken online classes and my brother is getting a Master’s online. And you’re right, some of the online classes do take up more time than traditional classes. but the kicker is that you don’t have to spend all that time at once. For my classes I spread the class out over each day. Many just want you to turn in the assignments on time and participate in email discussions. If she goes pro she’ll have a lot of down time traveling from place to place in which she could do her class. And again she doesn’t have to be a full time student. One or two classes a semester isn’t that much and should interfere with a career. That way she would be able to figure out what is more important, school or a short pro career.
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Well, I will throw this two cents in and leave it at my my previous comment posted.
With the higher inflation & the ever so rising cost of education everywhere (not saying that lightly), get your education now and save quite a few coins. Getting a good education is far better than racing, especially when young.
But, if she does not care for an education, then I say; "Go for it then!" 😄
There will always be a difference of opinion on this topic, so I am going to let this one ride and bug on out….LOL
On-On!
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Higher inflation? I thought tire pressue was a different topic. Just saying. 😄 Later,
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"fat_billy" wrote
Higher inflation? I thought tire pressue was a different topic. Just saying. 😄 Later,
OK & alrighty then…. 😏
I guess some people are just born with money in their pockets….LOL 😆
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She’s missing out on a huge life changing oppurtunity if she doesn’t ride. However, when it comes down to it, none of our opinions matter. It all depends on what she wants out of her life. I’d personally rather go race, see the world, live an epic life and settle down with an industry job once I couldn’t ride anymore. Living as a corporate zombie chasing the American dream kinda blows 😆
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"jtorlando25" wrote
She’s missing out on a huge life changing oppurtunity if she doesn’t ride. However, when it comes down to it, none of our opinions matter. It all depends on what she wants out of her life. I’d personally rather go race, see the world, live an epic life and settle down with an industry job once I couldn’t ride anymore. Living as a corporate zombie chasing the American dream kinda blows 😆
Exactly, yours as well…LOL!
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