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Advice for medial career.?

How do I know what medical career I want? I'm in an early college high school and I have to decide by July. Any advice?

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Karin’s Answer

Hi Maria,

You don't need to decide your whole life right now. First of all, you can do many careers in steps, second of all, people change careers all the time.

Most importantly, you are in Beaumont, TX? I am assuming then that you go to Beaumont Early College High-School? From the program on their website (link below), you can get an Associates Degree while you are in high-school or shortly after, or a significant number of course credits that would carry over to 4-year state universities in TX.

Since you want a career in healthcare the path leading to an Associates of Science in Biological Sciences would be very appropriate and put you on the path to anything medical.

I see from your profile that you want to be an oncologist, so you would need to go to medical school. In order to apply to medical school, you first need to earn a bachelors degree. The associates would put you on that path. The credits would carry over, and you could complete your bachelors at a state school in about 2 to 2.5 years.

If by the time you finish high-school you decide you would rather be a nurse or a dentist, that Associates in Biological Sciences would still serve you well. If after med school you do your residency in a different specialty, it's still fine.

I hope this helps for now! All the best for you!

KP

Karin recommends the following next steps:

https://echs.bmtisd.com/academics
https://hospitalcareers.com/career-paths/how-to-become-an-oncologist
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Rafael’s Answer

Hi Maria,

A medical career can feel daunting, especially in early college high school. I see you live in the US; therefore, becoming a doctor involves a four-year undergraduate degree, four years of medical school, and specialization during a residency program. This gives you time to explore different interests before choosing a specialization. Think about what excites you in medicine, like patient care, research, or diagnostics, and choose an undergraduate major like biology or chemistry that aligns with these interests. I recommend to gain practical insights by shadowing healthcare professionals or volunteering in medical settings, and connect with medical professionals to learn from their experiences. Try to reflect on your strengths and values, and stay open-minded as your interests can evolve. Good luck!
Thank you comment icon I appreciate you taking the time to answer this. Maria
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Tấn Dũng’s Answer

Hi there! Choosing a medical career can seem overwhelming at first, but don't stress too much! Here's some advice to help you decide:

* Explore & Research:
Try to explore different medical fields by reading articles, watching videos, or speaking to professionals. Look into roles like doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physical therapist, nutritionist, etc., to see which aligns most with your interests.

* Reflect on Your Interests and Strengths:
Think about subjects you enjoy most. Do you prefer patient care, laboratory research, or administrative tasks? Understanding your preferences will help narrow your options.

* Shadow or Volunteer:
If possible, shadow a medical professional or volunteer at a hospital or clinic. Real-world experience provides invaluable insights and clarity about what suits you best.

* Ask for Advice:
Reach out to teachers, counselors, or professionals who are already in the medical field. Their experiences can help guide your decision.

* Be Flexible and Open:
Remember, it's okay if your initial choice changes. Medical careers are diverse and allow for many shifts along the way.

Good luck! I’m sure you’ll find the perfect path!
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Evan’s Answer

You definitely don’t have to make that decision in the immediate future. Many healthcare careers require similar prerequisites. I switched choices and didn’t have to change any of the classes. As for how to choose I urge you to remember we live in the age of social media and influencers. There’s tons of people who post day in the life of “insert career “ videos. Watch a few and see what appeals to you. You can also get a part time job as a pct or an emt basic to get a feel for if you even want to be in healthcare.
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Martin’s Answer

Only you can decide for yourself. You need to find the field that interests and excites you. In Healthcare you have to look at whether business or patient care is your thing. Once you have some direction begin that path and remember it can always be changed along the way, so you don't have to decide right now.
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Evan’s Answer

If you aren’t certain about which career field that’s ok you shouldn’t rush into a choice. A lot of programs require similar prerequisites so you can work on those while you make a more definitive choice. You can also look on YouTube and find”day in the life videos” for most career fields which show a quick glimpse. There’s also entry level jobs that you can work part time to get a feel for if healthcare is really what you want and what parts you like best. CNA , PCT, and EMTb are great starts.
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Abigail’s Answer

Hello Maria,

Sometimes, when you are in front of a life-changing decision, you feel nervous and anxious about what is ahead. Choosing a career is one of the many life decisions you will have to make. My best advice is that you choose the one that makes you happy, that career in which you fulfill your expectations and your values, but above all, the one that makes you proud and makes you feel happy because you will be helping your patients. You must explore what excites you about medicine; maybe it is diagnosis, surgery, or rehabilitation, try to get in touch with professionals or volunteer in healthcare facilities where you can find out what you like, what the population you will be assisting, the daily activities you will have to do, and also observe what your job would be after you graduate from the medical career you choose.

I hope you find out your professional passion! Good luck!
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Jennifer’s Answer

Hey Maria, first of all—breathe. You don’t have to have your whole future figured out by July. You just need to choose a direction, not lock yourself into a lifelong decision.

Here’s my advice:

1. Start with what draws you in.

What do you naturally find interesting?
• Do you love science and how the body works?
• Are you fascinated by emergencies or saving lives?
• Do you care more about connection and supporting people emotionally?

2. Look at the lifestyle you want.

This part matters more than people realize. Ask yourself:
• Do I want a flexible schedule or something more routine?
• How much school am I realistically willing to do?
• Do I like hands-on care, or would I rather work behind the scenes?

3. Explore before you decide.
• Shadow someone if possible (PA, nurse, tech, etc.)
• Watch a few “day in the life” videos on YouTube or TikTok
• Google the roles that interest you: time in school, job duties, pay, and work-life balance

You can look into roles like:
• Medical Assistant or EMT (fast entry)
• Nurse or Sonographer (2–4 years, good pay)
• Physician Assistant or Pharmacist (longer school, higher pay)
• Medical Lab Tech, Radiology Tech, etc. (behind-the-scenes roles that are underrated)

And here’s the truth:

Most people change their minds at least once. It’s okay. Just choose the direction that makes the most sense for where you are right now, and know that you can shift as you grow.

You’ve got time—and the fact that you’re even asking these questions this early? You’re already ahead of the game.
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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Maria !

You do not have to decide your future by July. Now, you've put "early college high school" and "have to decide" in the same sentence. Any program that is demanding that you choose a career before you are well informed and take your own time to choose is not a good program.

In the early college high school, you will receive an Associates Degree. Is it that you need to choose a Major for this early college ? Is someone telling you that you have to choose a major for your Bachelors now ? Do not force any career interest, especially if you're not interested in one just yet and be very careful of what you early college major in. It is never a good idea to rush, double up on or short cut your education. Although early college may sound great because it's free, make sure you can pick among a vast array of majors and not just a few that may not be helpful to you later on. Many people really need time to decide on the right major and for the right career. It's clear that you need more time to learn about what's out there, what the duties of the job entail and if you really want to do a particular career.

I would have advised you to finish high school 11th and 12th grade and then start college after high school. This would have given you a full high school experience, time to explore careers and be involved in high school extracurriculars. It is, in my opinion, haphazard guidance to recommend early college because I believe that students need time and focus and to complete each level of their education before moving on to the next level.

No one can tell you what Medical field to go into, you'd have to already know and be driven strongly towards it, especially if you're intending an Associates Degree. My advice is to speak with the people who set up your early college program and if you do not have a definite career choice right now, tell them and see what they can do for this instance. Some community colleges in the early college program only offer a limited amount of majors (the universities offer the full spectrum of majors for early college) and you need to consult with the academic advisor to ascertain if there's a major for your Associates that would align with your career goal, but more importantly, ask for more time so you can be well informed about careers before you decide.

It's perfectly fine to not have chosen a career yet. You will need to speak with your college's academic advisor. I wish you well !
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Eric Scott’s Answer

What I'm about to share might sound a bit silly, but a doctor told me this 15 years ago, and I've really embraced it. Even though I'm not a doctor and don't know much about the field, I found her words truly inspiring. There's a game from the 80s called Operation. She told me that while playing it, she experimented with the different parts of the game figure until she found one that made her laugh and feel excited. That feeling in her stomach was her sign that this was the area of the body she wanted to focus on as a doctor. It might seem unusual, but it worked for her. While it might not be for everyone, it's a creative way to think about finding your passion. If you're curious about the game Operation, you can look it up online. You might even find it for just $5 on eBay! 😊
Thank you comment icon Thank you for the advice!! Maria
Thank you comment icon Eric, I hate to sound old, but the game Operation came out in 1965 and I used to play it in the '60's because many friends had that game. Fun game and the original commercial for it from the sixties is awesome ! Michelle M.
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