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Some people determine their career paths at an early age. Others are inspired by a class in school or an internship experience.

Then, there's former Boston College player Dasha Cherkasov.

“My junior year I had a complete breakdown where I thought I was in the wrong major,” Cherkasov said.

Dasha Cherkasov Is An Athletic Academic Advisor At FAU
© FAU Athletics

Cherkasov met with her academic advisor at Boston College, Ferna Phillips, to restore order in her life.

“We had like a two-hour meeting. I was a psychology major and realized I didn't want to be a psychologist and didn't want to be a researcher, but I still loved psychology,” Cherkasov said. “She made me research careers involved in psychology and sports. I didn't want to be a sports psychologist, but guidance counseling came up.”

Cherkasov, 30, is now in Phillips' shoes, helping athletes navigate their way through the academic process in college.

She is an athletic academic adviser at Florida Atlantic University, working with the women's basketball, women's golf and men's and women's swimming teams.