Taylor Barg is a senior mechanical engineering and math major at SMU, and she is also the captain of the Women's Soccer Team. Taylor leads by example, and is able to balance a heavy courseload with a heavy practice schedule. STEM and sports can definitely go hand-in-hand! 

Why did you choose your major? Did you always know this is what you wanted to do?   
My dad’s an engineer as well. Growing up, I've always been the one helping out around the house. I gravitated towards science and math as my favorite subjects, and engineering just seemed to be the best fit. I wasn’t planning the math major, I enjoyed it so much and took so many math classes that it counted as a major. Growing up, everyone always called me the little engineer of the family, so it stuck with me, and I've just always follwed in my dad's footsteps. 

What is your main role on your team? 
I was voted captain this year, so I'm a captain right now. My main role is leading by example, so I’m not going to boss you around. I believe leading by example is the most important!

What does your average day look like? (Class, practice, games, etc.)
My average day would be 3 classes, 30 minute film sessions with coaches, and 2 hours of practice and weights. Then I do homework after that. 

Do you apply what you learn in the classroom on the field/court?
I do in the sense of taking responsibility for my own actions, whether it be doing homework on time or talking with professors about missing class. That responsibility carries over to soccer; it transfers over personal accountability.

What's been your biggest sacrifice trying to do it all (school, sports, family, etc.)?
Giving up the social aspect of life for these last four years has been tough. That was the hardest because you have to prioritize what comes first, of course school comes first, then soccer. You work hard for 4 years, then you can have a social life. It's been the hardest thing to sacrifice. 

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years? 
I see myself working for an engineering firm, moving up the ladder wherever I am. I don’t know exactly what I want to do. I want to solve problems, and I want to be happy with my work/social balance in life. Right now it’s all work, work, work. 

Do you have any suggestions for how kids can balance STEM interests and music interests? Do you have any courses you can recommend students to take before college?

It definitely takes a passion for both sides. You need to be passionate about your work – athletics and school. Just follow what you enjoy doing. If you don’t enjoy what you're doing, it’ll feel more like a job, and you'll get overwhelmed and stressed out. When you have a passion for both things that helps you succeed! I would recommend spending the time to actually learn what you're being taught especially in math because people go through and learn for the test, then they forget what they learned. Any math and chemistry classes are important. 

What was your favorite class growing up? 

 
Every math class. I would say my favorite was algebra because it was the first major math class I took, and that was in 8th grade.

Are you a first generation college student?
No. 

When did you start playing soccer?
I started playing soccer when I was four years old! 

What's a fun fact about you?
I am also a part of a sorority - Kappa Alpha Theta.