Brian Fields II is the first Birmingham Promise student to graduate from Auburn University, and he has focused hard on making the most of his time in college.
“My time at Auburn has so far been the best of my life,” he said. “The people I’ve met, the opportunities I’ve had, and not having to worry about tuition – I loved it.”
Now, Brian hopes to start physical therapy school in August 2026 and begin building a career that encompasses two of his passions – medicine and sports.
These are passions that sprang from Brian’s experiences growing up. A childhood case of meningitis exposed him to the medical field, and he wanted that to be a part of his future. And he adored playing sports – starting out with baseball and football and later giving way wholeheartedly to basketball.
He admits he harbored dreams of playing in the NBA before genetics kicked in and his height leveled off at 6 feet. But his college years have prepared him for a career that will let him keep one foot in the world of healthcare and the other in the world of sports.
“My goal is to work with athletes, to help them rehab and recover from injuries,” he said.
Brian completed a one-year general studies/pre-physical therapy program at Lawson State Community College before setting out for his bachelor’s degree. He applied to only two schools – the University of Alabama and Auburn. He got into both, and though a fan of the Crimson Tide, he chose Auburn because it was a better fit for his career goals.
He worked hard, took summer courses and completed his bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Auburn in just three years. Just as important, he also made it a point to make connections along the way.
Stepping out to build relationships
It wasn’t always easy.
Having changed schools a few times before graduating from Carver High School in 2021, Brian knew what it felt like to be the odd man out. And when he first arrived at Auburn University in 2022, he felt seriously out of place in a smaller town that revolved almost entirely around the campus.
“I didn’t even know if I wanted to be here,” he said. “It was that different.”
But instead of giving up, Brian made it a point to “put himself out there” and to build bridges to the people he encountered at Auburn.
He spent a lot of time working out at the campus recreation center, so he looked for unfamiliar faces and made it a point to share a hello or even a “War Eagle” instead of a “Roll Tide.” He engaged with his professors. He kept up with his Birmingham Promise success coach.
Through his outreach, he developed strong bonds in Auburn, and he also got leads on volunteer opportunities and physical therapy clinics where he could start building experience and professional networks. One professor served as a reference that helped him get a job. His ability to build relationships is a skill he knows will serve him well throughout his career.
As he looks back on his time in college, he is grateful to Birmingham Promise for the scholarships that paid four years of tuition. While he took out some student loans to cover those summer classes that are outside Birmingham Promise’s scope, Brian said he would have graduated college with a much bigger debt had it not been for Birmingham Promise, and the next phase of his education would look far more daunting.
He encourages students to take full advantage of the college experience that Birmingham Promise provides.
He offers this advice: Set goals, but be open to opportunities that may happen along the way. And when you encounter them, don’t be afraid to step out.
“One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 16:9 – ‘A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps,’” Brian said. “My mom always told me, ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.’ Strive to keep going. You never know where the path will lead.”
