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Washington State University
College of Education

Getting to Know You: Julian Naranjo

Julian Narajo

Julian Narajo

Julian Naranjo — Kinesiology

Minors: Strength Training and Psychology

Hometown: Sunnyside, WA

Year: Sophomore

What inspired you to pursue a degree in kinesiology?
One thing about me is I have been a sports fanatic since I was young. They are something that I have actively been involved in since I can remember. I decided I didn’t want to leave the field of sports so I believe that Kinesiology would be the route that would suit me best. I get to interact with new information about sports on a day-to-day basis. That keeps my motivation alive as the industry is evolving every day with the emergence of new athletes. The other thing about kinesiology is the universality of the degree itself can fit a variety of different fields, and although I am set on what I want to pursue, the original freedom the degree offered was appealing to me in the decision-making process.

Was pursing this degree always your plan??
Since I have always been a fan of the STEM field I originally planned to pursue a degree in chemical engineering. But, I soon found that this was not a field that was as appealing to me as I thought. I took a step back and looked at the things I truly enjoy and I found them not involving engineering which is what later led me to realize that Kinesiology was the right field for me.

What is your dream job after college?
I have a strong passion to help people, and sports, I have decided, will always be a part of my life. Combine those two aspects with the fact that I enjoy learning, I determined that I want to become either an Orthopedic Doctor or a Cardiologist. Those two career paths will allow to do what I ultimately want, and that is to be a Team Doctor for athletes in advanced athletics, so either collegiate or professional athletics.

What are your future plans as you go through the program?
My future plans after I achieve my bachelors are to attend secondary school, which for me would be medical school. Ideally I would like to attend a school in California, Colorado or Washington, but I understand school is expensive so I will weigh my options as the time comes.

What, or who, motivates you as a student?
My internal drive to want to succeed by far is the greatest driving force in my academic career. I have always had a passion to learn but here at the university the ability to apply what I learn is a satisfaction I hadn’t been able to experience prior to attending WSU. As a learner, having a strong drive and passion to excel in the career you chose will take you to higher levels of achievement than you will ever experience. That is what pushed me every day to work as hard I do.

Favorites:

  • Class: Kinesiology 262-Human Anatomy
  • Professor: Dr. Morgan
  • Sport: Basketball
  • Book: Start with Why by Simon Sni
  • Place to Study: Holland Library
  • Quote: “Always keep moving forward because the world doesn’t stop spinning for anyone.”