6 answers
jackie
Student
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
4
Questions
Updated
961 views
I am unsure of what I want my future career to be but I know that I want to be in the medical/health field. What degree/courses should I take in uni?
I am scared that I won't get anywhere in life because I'm very indecisive. My first choice was to do nursing but I didn't want to waste my money and time when later on I decide to quit. so I want to find a degree that allows me to have more options in career choices. and just a background story I got accepted to uni for nursing but turned it down because my mind wasn't 100% made up I also wanted to become a physiotherapist but am still very much unsure. But all I know is that I want my future career to be health-related. Please, help me because I took a gap year to think and decide on what I want to do for the rest of my life. Also, I need a high-paid-ish job so I can support my family one day.
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6 answers
Raegan Williams
Molecular Technologist
22
Answers
Flower Mound, Texas
Updated
Raegan’s Answer
Hello Jackie! I felt like I was reading myself there for a moment. First, this is the most crucial piece of advice I can give... you 100% got this! Here is a bit about my story; I hope this will help answer some of your questions and eradicate some of your fears.
In undergrad, I decided to major in Biology and Chemistry by default ( since I was pre-med) to minor in. I'm the type who only likes biology, and that's about it. I have thought about many different things- pharmacy, medicine, therapy, counseling, teaching, nursing, researching, etc. For all four years of undergrad, I was strictly pre-med. Right after I graduated, I panicked, and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I started focusing on things I did and didn't like to do. Sometimes you don't know you like something till you try it. When the pandemic began, I worked as a Behavioral Therapist, Clinical Lab Assistant, Afterschool Teacher, Clinical Lab Specialist in Blood Banking, and Molecular Technologist. I now know that I don't want to be a therapist, teacher, or work in a lab for my career. I also knew I was indecisive and had no idea what I wanted to get my master's in, so I researched. I slightly wish I was joking, but I looked at every Ph.D. and M.S. program in the U.S. while taking notes on the curriculum offered. Many hours later, I chose, and now I am getting my M.S. in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Forensic Medicine. In Spring 2023, I will be applying to medical school, and I have no idea what to do once I get in, but I've learned that it is all part of the fun.
I constantly compared myself to others and would get into my head about it. Pre-meds are conditioned to believe that you are "old" once you hit 25 years old. It took me a while to get over that. Looking back on my indecisiveness and worries, I now can see that those were great things I went through and helped me get to where I am today. One thing I value about how I approached undergrad was how I picked two broad areas of science, and then I chose to use my work and volunteer experiences to add more specialized aspects. My friend got his Radiology Technology degree and recently realized he wants to attend P.A. school. Now he is taking pre-requisites which will be about three semesters before he can apply.
In a sense, by the time he is done with these pre-reqs, he will have associates, at least, in Biology.
In undergrad, I decided to major in Biology and Chemistry by default ( since I was pre-med) to minor in. I'm the type who only likes biology, and that's about it. I have thought about many different things- pharmacy, medicine, therapy, counseling, teaching, nursing, researching, etc. For all four years of undergrad, I was strictly pre-med. Right after I graduated, I panicked, and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I started focusing on things I did and didn't like to do. Sometimes you don't know you like something till you try it. When the pandemic began, I worked as a Behavioral Therapist, Clinical Lab Assistant, Afterschool Teacher, Clinical Lab Specialist in Blood Banking, and Molecular Technologist. I now know that I don't want to be a therapist, teacher, or work in a lab for my career. I also knew I was indecisive and had no idea what I wanted to get my master's in, so I researched. I slightly wish I was joking, but I looked at every Ph.D. and M.S. program in the U.S. while taking notes on the curriculum offered. Many hours later, I chose, and now I am getting my M.S. in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Forensic Medicine. In Spring 2023, I will be applying to medical school, and I have no idea what to do once I get in, but I've learned that it is all part of the fun.
I constantly compared myself to others and would get into my head about it. Pre-meds are conditioned to believe that you are "old" once you hit 25 years old. It took me a while to get over that. Looking back on my indecisiveness and worries, I now can see that those were great things I went through and helped me get to where I am today. One thing I value about how I approached undergrad was how I picked two broad areas of science, and then I chose to use my work and volunteer experiences to add more specialized aspects. My friend got his Radiology Technology degree and recently realized he wants to attend P.A. school. Now he is taking pre-requisites which will be about three semesters before he can apply.
In a sense, by the time he is done with these pre-reqs, he will have associates, at least, in Biology.
angie azur
Writer | Artist | Death Doula | Yoga | Meditation | Psychology | Philosophy
78
Answers
Weaverville, NC
Updated
angie’s Answer
.....I am scared that I won't get anywhere in life because I'm very indecisive.....
________________________________________________________
I chose to try to answer this because of the sentence above.....This is a learned attitude or belief. And it stems from wrong teaching. What I mean by that is there are certain adults who have gone through tough times, and instead of searching for, asking for, or reading about their issues, they say things to younger people hoping to save them from the mistakes they made or the problems they encountered.
This is called having an agenda and is not helpful life teachings.
You are scared, you stated, because you think you won't get anywhere in life because of indecisiveness. First, I am sorry you are feeling scared. This life is a constant form of change and curiosity. To be indecisive is wonderful - it means you have many curiosities that are all very interesting to you. This is great, and you are right where you should be for your age and growth. Embrace the indecisiveness of yourself and see where it takes you.
I am 48 years old and have changed my career or what I do many, many times. That's how humans grow beyond what they were born into or who they were yesterday. Change is fun. It is good. And it is needed.
There is no deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life. Our society is set up to make you feel this pressure, but you will change. Your wants and needs will change. There is no set this or that forever.
So how do you figure out what you want to do next....not forever, but next?
Here is a simple way to play with your curiosity:
You can use this in meditation or prayer.
First, I light a candle and sit on the floor.
I have with me a pen and a notepad.
I have meditation music I use to relax myself.
Then I set the timer for 5-10 minutes and close my eyes.
This will seem like forever if you haven't done it before. But it will become easier as you practice.
While in this relaxed and connected to me state, I ask myself these questions:
- What did I love to do when I was 5 years old?
- What do I notice when I am out, at the mall, in town, with friends?
-What do I love to watch on TV?
-What books am I curious about and read a lot?
-What do I love about this world? What do I hate?
-What do I wish was different about the world?
-How do I think I can be more helpful to myself, my family, my friends, and my community?
-What excites me?
-What exhausts me?
-Who is around me for my highest and best?
-Who can I count on?
-What am I most curious about?
Then I listen to myself and write down the answers I get, no matter how weird or ridiculous they seem.
These types of questions are suggestions, and you can come up with others personal to you. Once you get to know yourself better, you will be able to decide what you want to learn next. Learning is a constant, and it is always changing. You never stop learning your whole life...you are a part of the Universe, and it is in a constant state of change.
The best thing I can say is to follow what makes you smile. Follow what excites you. Follow what brings you joy. If you do that, you will be happier than most. You will want to put time and effort into what you are doing because you love doing it.
Be open to always being curious. Curiosity is key to expansion and the key to who you really are and what you are the best at in this life.
Have fun!
Go play in this life!
Be brave!
Hope this helps...
Angie
________________________________________________________
I chose to try to answer this because of the sentence above.....This is a learned attitude or belief. And it stems from wrong teaching. What I mean by that is there are certain adults who have gone through tough times, and instead of searching for, asking for, or reading about their issues, they say things to younger people hoping to save them from the mistakes they made or the problems they encountered.
This is called having an agenda and is not helpful life teachings.
You are scared, you stated, because you think you won't get anywhere in life because of indecisiveness. First, I am sorry you are feeling scared. This life is a constant form of change and curiosity. To be indecisive is wonderful - it means you have many curiosities that are all very interesting to you. This is great, and you are right where you should be for your age and growth. Embrace the indecisiveness of yourself and see where it takes you.
I am 48 years old and have changed my career or what I do many, many times. That's how humans grow beyond what they were born into or who they were yesterday. Change is fun. It is good. And it is needed.
There is no deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life. Our society is set up to make you feel this pressure, but you will change. Your wants and needs will change. There is no set this or that forever.
So how do you figure out what you want to do next....not forever, but next?
Here is a simple way to play with your curiosity:
You can use this in meditation or prayer.
First, I light a candle and sit on the floor.
I have with me a pen and a notepad.
I have meditation music I use to relax myself.
Then I set the timer for 5-10 minutes and close my eyes.
This will seem like forever if you haven't done it before. But it will become easier as you practice.
While in this relaxed and connected to me state, I ask myself these questions:
- What did I love to do when I was 5 years old?
- What do I notice when I am out, at the mall, in town, with friends?
-What do I love to watch on TV?
-What books am I curious about and read a lot?
-What do I love about this world? What do I hate?
-What do I wish was different about the world?
-How do I think I can be more helpful to myself, my family, my friends, and my community?
-What excites me?
-What exhausts me?
-Who is around me for my highest and best?
-Who can I count on?
-What am I most curious about?
Then I listen to myself and write down the answers I get, no matter how weird or ridiculous they seem.
These types of questions are suggestions, and you can come up with others personal to you. Once you get to know yourself better, you will be able to decide what you want to learn next. Learning is a constant, and it is always changing. You never stop learning your whole life...you are a part of the Universe, and it is in a constant state of change.
The best thing I can say is to follow what makes you smile. Follow what excites you. Follow what brings you joy. If you do that, you will be happier than most. You will want to put time and effort into what you are doing because you love doing it.
Be open to always being curious. Curiosity is key to expansion and the key to who you really are and what you are the best at in this life.
Have fun!
Go play in this life!
Be brave!
Hope this helps...
Angie
Clarissa Escamilla
Geological Engineer
27
Answers
Mesa, Arizona
Updated
Clarissa’s Answer
So I am not in any medical field but most of my family is and my little sister is going through the same thing right now. My sister wanted to go to PA school but was worried about the cost and getting accepted so she took a gap year and has been working in reception of various clinics and dr offices and has been job shadowing various different medical professionals in her free time just to get exposure to ad many fields as she can. I would recommend job shadowing if you can, and doing it for a wide variety of career paths and “interviewing” professionals to see what they got their degrees in.
Chongah Lee
Pharmacist
2
Answers
La Mirada, California
Updated
Chongah’s Answer
What a thoughtful and lovely daughter who wants to support her family one day! As I read your thought, I could feel that you are eager to find a life long career that you really want to enjoy.
Knowing what I really want to be is not easy unless you are super talented in one specific area... However, I think you can be one step closer to find what you truly love as you write and read. If I were you, I would write about yourself... what I like, what I don't like, strength, weakness etc on a piece of paper (or a laptop). Try to have enough time to know yourself. Focus on yourself. Not what others including family member would think to like you to do/be... Research about the career that based on what you are interested. I believe there are a lot of YouTube videos about introducing their jobs. Or simply ask in this website. I am sure there are many professionals are out there to answer your specific questions about the jobs. Reading self-development and motivational books might help you to be energized when you plan your future.
There are so many people out there who want to find what they like... You are not the only one. I hope you could hear from your deep inner voice and follow that dream. You will be able to enjoy that career and will be able to support your family! Wish you the best!
Knowing what I really want to be is not easy unless you are super talented in one specific area... However, I think you can be one step closer to find what you truly love as you write and read. If I were you, I would write about yourself... what I like, what I don't like, strength, weakness etc on a piece of paper (or a laptop). Try to have enough time to know yourself. Focus on yourself. Not what others including family member would think to like you to do/be... Research about the career that based on what you are interested. I believe there are a lot of YouTube videos about introducing their jobs. Or simply ask in this website. I am sure there are many professionals are out there to answer your specific questions about the jobs. Reading self-development and motivational books might help you to be energized when you plan your future.
There are so many people out there who want to find what they like... You are not the only one. I hope you could hear from your deep inner voice and follow that dream. You will be able to enjoy that career and will be able to support your family! Wish you the best!
Amani Bass
Client Service Associate
5
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Amani’s Answer
Hey Jackie,
One thing about the medical field is it will always be relevant and opportunities will be there. You have to find what you enjoy first and start there because at the end of the day what you do should make you happy and not feel like a job, but a hobby you get paid for. You can get a degree in health administration, healthcare leadership, health science, health services , healthcare management, public health to name a few. It all boils down to how bad do you want it and what will you do to obtain it.
Hope this helps!
One thing about the medical field is it will always be relevant and opportunities will be there. You have to find what you enjoy first and start there because at the end of the day what you do should make you happy and not feel like a job, but a hobby you get paid for. You can get a degree in health administration, healthcare leadership, health science, health services , healthcare management, public health to name a few. It all boils down to how bad do you want it and what will you do to obtain it.
Hope this helps!
Debra Luckett
Business Parner
11
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Debra’s Answer
Research careers in the medical field, find your passion, select your area of expertise so you can attend a university that will help you succeed in your field of study.