this seems trite, but i need career advice!!!

[AlwaysHope]

okay. i'm a junior in college, on the dean's list, i have a scholarship , and i HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE. i started in pre-med, went to pre-law, went to nursing because i missed health care, and am now thinking that i want to go back to law.

 

my talents lie in writing, speaking, and literary issues. i have a 4.0 in my criminology major, which i would use should i go to law school. i love criminal law, and my dad is an attorney so i've had a lot of exposure to it.

 

i've had nothing but problems with my science classes, nothing but disappointments and low grades despite all my efforts. i lost one of my scholarships because of a C in biology my freshman year!!!

 

now i'm at this crucial point where i REALLY need to sit down and make a mature decision and stick with it. i know that i'm going to want a family and time to be a mother, and i've basically ruled out medical school.

 

my mother says that i'm going against my natural grain, that i'm ignoring the talents i've been given. she suggests that perhaps i'm too proud to give up my original dream, and i'm beginning to think that she is right. she also says that while it's admirable to pursue your dreams, there comes a time when you have to deal with what's in front of you and perhaps consider a different road.

 

i guess i'm just looking for someone to tell me that it's okay to give up a career oriented towards medicine, that i'm not a slacker, not someone who takes the easy way out. i think i know deep down that i need to pursue that which fits me, but is there anyone who has gone through the same thing?

 

any reassuring words or advice would be fantastic. thanks!!!! sorrry this is a long, boring post...

[Olivia_19742004]

I don't want a career in medicine. Does that make me a slacker?

[AlwaysHope]

no, many people don't choose a career in medicine.

 

i guess i meant "slacking" in the context of my own position, that of moving from medicine, which i've always loved, to law. my criminology degree is not as challenging as biomedical science, so perhaps it's less slacking and more adjusting to a liberal arts curriculum as opposed to a science degree.

 

it's my decision to abandon something that was formerly a dream, just because it's becoming less and less of an option. i was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience, in that, they have faced a challenge which they brought on by choice, have not performed optimally and are forced to move in a different direction.

 

i don't want to feel like i've settled. just looking for reassurance from someone who has changed directions in the face of disappointment and perhaps abandoned one dream for another goal, but who has ended up fine.

[moimeme]

Much of the career literature now is focused on helping people figure out where their passions and dreams lie. If you try to hammer your square peg self into a round hole you think you belong in, you'll fail. There are no 'shoulds' in figuring out where your heart lies.

 

I can give you all the theory, but I'll cut it short. Have a read of Barbara Sher's "Wishcraft" available here for free online: http://www.wishcraft.com Her suggestions will help you clarify what your true dream really is.

 

You can also try the Self Directed Search (I can't post a link because it costs a big ten bucks but it's easily findable on Google) which is a highly-respected career tool and check out the book Values Clarification recommended by Ms. Sher.

 

I've known a lot of people who tried to get themselves interested in careers they thought they 'should' be in - only to fail at them. Don't waste a huge hunk of your life getting a degree for a profession you won't do well in.

[Fayebelle]

Talk to your college's career advisors- there is a profession that is perfevt for you- it's something like a "professional witness"

 

Medical cases require a professional opinion- Obviously some you would not qualify for b/c you have to be an MD but others just require a pro witness

 

Then you could put to use your natural talents and the knowledge you've aquired

 

Your CA could tell you what classes you may still need to go down this path

 

 

Good Luck!

[Fayebelle]

Talk to your college's career advisors- there is a profession that is perfect for you- it's something like a "professional witness"

 

Medical cases require a professional opinion- Obviously some you would not qualify for b/c you have to be an MD but others just require a pro witness

 

Then you could put to use your natural talents and the knowledge you've aquired

 

Your CA could tell you what classes you may still need to go down this path

 

 

Good Luck!

[AlwaysHope]

thank you all so much for your responses.

 

i'm going to check out the link you posted, moimeme; i appreciate it. i'm also planning on going to talk to a career advisor. this is just a crazy time of life, i guess

 

thanks!

[daletom]

Here are some thoughts that haven't showed up yet.

Originally posted by AlwaysHope

now i'm at this crucial point where i REALLY need to sit down and make a mature decision and stick with it.

The only thing you need to stick with for the sake of sticking with it is your marriage and family. For most everything else you owe it no more than an honest try, an accurate appraisal of whether it is or isn't working, and why.

 

i know that i'm going to want a family and time to be a mother, and i've basically ruled out medical school.

I don't think that family or motherhood necessarily rules out medical school, but I suspect you should be reasonably proficient in either physical or biological sciences. Probably same for veterinary; maybe less so for dental.

 

my mother says that i'm going against my natural grain, that i'm ignoring the talents i've been given. she suggests that perhaps i'm too proud to give up my original dream, and i'm beginning to think that she is right. she also says that while it's admirable to pursue your dreams, there comes a time when you have to deal with what's in front of you and perhaps consider a different road.

You can't steer a parked car, but once it's in motion you can point it in any direction you please. Even turn it totally around. Or drive in circles.

 

i guess i'm just looking for someone to tell me that it's okay to give up a career oriented towards medicine, that i'm not a slacker, not someone who takes the easy way out. i think i know deep down that i need to pursue that which fits me, but is there anyone who has gone through the same thing?

As long as you have a direction, I wouldn't call you a slacker. Even if you don't have a well defined goal. (Boy does THAT ever contradict Bolles, Mattson & Miller, Farr, Haldane and all the other career books!)

[Mr Spock]

There are many people who NEVER know what they want to be when the grow up. Even after they're over the hill. I suppose the logical choice would be to find something that you enjoy doing that allows you to be financially independant. Easier said than done, isn't it.

 

I personally think you should take courses that you love, and are good at rather than slug away at something you're not, and you hate.