Reagan Bridges | FIU Soccer
Hometown/Current City: Littleton, Colo. / Prague, Czech Republic
Undergraduate Major: BS in Chemistry & Natural and Applied Sciences
Postgraduate Field of Study: Hopefully chemical engineering!
What path did you take professionally after college?
I am a professional soccer player! I took a bit of a more “unconventional” path and decided to pursue my sport professionally after college rather than immediately returning to further schooling upon graduation. While I plan to return to school in my field eventually in pursuit of my PhD, I decided to pursue a professional soccer career now (while I still can!) to continue to develop as an athlete following such an incredible athletic career at FIU while also having the opportunity exploring the world! I am currently signed with AC Sparta Praha, a first division professional soccer team located in Prague that is also competing in the UEFA Champion’s League qualifiers.
What do you enjoy most about your current role or profession?
I love the discipline and motivation that goes into being a professional athlete. It’s beyond just doing what’s required of you on the training pitch, but finding incremental ways to get 1% better each and every day. I thrive off of structure and feeling like I am giving 100% of myself day in and day out to better myself as a player. I love the grinding mentality and the constant desire to develop; I know I always have more to learn and more room to grow, which means I will always have a new standard to strive for every day. These attributes also transcend my professional soccer career; as I make the eventual transition from athletics back into academics, I’ll carry each of these with me to push myself to continue my personal development as a scientist!
What’s your favorite memory from college athletics?
Definitely winning the double championship my fourth and final year at FIU; we won both the League title and the tournament. This felt like the ultimate culmination of four years of hard work and I can’t think of a time I smiled any bigger than I did after we won!!
Any new hobbies since college?
I’ve really taken a liking to reading (voluntarily) recently! I also love going on walks/hikes with friends and family when I have time!
What advice would you share with current student-athletes?
I would say just being present in every moment and not to take anything for granted because your time as a college athlete truly does fly by, and it's an experience that not many people get the opportunity to have. Every moment you get to train with your team, throw some weight around in the gym, or put on your jersey will eventually be some of your best memories, so don’t spend too much of your time or energy worrying over past mistakes or future problems. I would say to really be present in every moment and never take any of it for granted, because your time as a college athlete goes by so much faster than you realize. Being a college athlete is a privilege that not many people get to experience, so make the most of it! The early practices and lifts, the long days, and especially the moments you get to put on your jersey with your teammates will become some of your best memories. Don’t waste too much energy dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about the future, focus on being where your feet are, because one day you’ll look back and wish you could relive those moments!
How have your career goals evolved from college to now?
Going into my undergraduate program, my intention was always to continue school after getting my BS in Chemistry to eventually get into the chemical engineering field, since I wasn’t able to study chemE for my undergrad degree. Now, my goal is still eventually to return to school and pursue the same field, but I am delaying this goal for a few years while I set my focus completely on my career as a professional athlete for the time being.
What impact did being a college athlete have on your professional life?
Being a college athlete taught me so much about the importance of the “intangibles” like my effort, attitude, leadership, sportsmanship, etc. My career as a collegiate athlete was full of ups and downs, but throughout it all, I could always control these intangibles and exhibit them to the best of my ability even if I was having a bad day on the ball. In my professional life, the same is true; setbacks are bound to happen, but continuing to work hard and maintaining a progressive attitude consistently are traits that take no talent but allow me to continue to grow in my field and positively influence those around me!