Giants Prospect Donovan McIntyre Balances Baseball Career with Northeastern Degree
Donovan McIntyre, an outfielder in the San Francisco Giants organization, is making strides both on the baseball diamond and in the classroom as he pursues his degree in Accounting and Finance at Northeastern University.
Growing up just 30 minutes south of Chicago in Richton Park, McIntyre began playing baseball at age three. His baseball journey took a serious turn at age 12 when he joined a White Sox-sponsored travel team.
“I met my best friends there and they took baseball more seriously than I did,” McIntyre explained. “That was my catalyst to go all in.”
After receiving college offers and ultimately getting drafted by the Giants, McIntyre didn’t lose sight of his educational goals.
“Schooling has always been important in my family,” he noted. Following discussions about post-baseball careers during his rookie season, McIntyre connected with an advisor at Northeastern and began taking classes in 2022.
The young outfielder, who switched from pitching to the outfield as he developed more speed, is currently taking Principles of Marketing and approaching his education with a practical mindset.
“Even if I never have to work another day in my life, I can still use these skills,” he said about his accounting and finance studies.
Balancing professional baseball and academics requires discipline, especially during the season when his days can stretch from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the field. McIntyre appreciates the flexibility of Northeastern’s program, which allows him to complete readings or discussion boards during short breaks.
Unlike some athletes who set strict timelines for degree completion, McIntyre is taking a measured approach. “I don’t want to have a deadline. I am doing this because I want to do this, not because I have to,” he explained.
His advice to fellow baseball players considering education? “Just try it. Many organizations financially support schooling, so it doesn’t hurt to try one class per semester. Your main job now is playing baseball, but one class is better than nothing.”
