How can I know if I will regret going into a certain career?

[bisquick]

I am at a cross-roads in my life right now where I thought I would want to go into physical therapy, yet am second-guessing it.

 

I enjoy helping the elderly and liked the feeling I got from volunteering the PT (physical therapy) department of a nursing home. In the anatomy/physiology classes, I was excited to learn more. Now, I'm second guessing if something like that will fulfill me. I havent volunteered for over a year, so I forgot the feeling it gives me, so I'm going to try to volunteer again to see if it solidifies my decision to go into PT or if it makes me not want to do it anymore.

 

I am constantly looking at a career as a college Communication Studies professor where I would teach things like public speaking, interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, etc. However, the outcome of going into teaching is very unpredictable, as full-time jobs are rare to come across. Some professors get hired within 3 years of graduating, and some may spend 20 years still looking for that full-time job so the uncertainty scares me. Part time professors make very poor money and my main fear is that I wont have enough money to move out, as my parents fight everyday and it's a very toxic environment.

Even if I DO have enough to move out, I will be just barely scraping by.

 

So here are my main two fears about the two career choices:

 

Professor - not being able to move out or just barely scraping by if I did move out

Physical therapist - regretting not having gone into a job in teaching

 

How will I know if I'll regret going into PT? Is there any way of knowing????

I'm scared of making the wrong choice.

And most importantly: If I do the things I'm passionate about on the side, will I still feel empty because it's not my "full time" gig??

Edited March 7, 2017 by bisquick

[JamesM]

Why do you think you want to be a professor?

 

You have done the right thing by volunteering in PT. Can you do something similar with a professor?

 

It is always good to do what we love and then consider money, but having said that, one does need to get by.

 

No one knows the future, so we really cannot wave a magic wand or look into a crystal ball and give you the right direction...sadly.

 

You are doing the right thing by "trying out" each job and deciding which one fits.

 

If you were my "child," then I would probably steer you towards the PT job as it not only would be worth more money, but it probably will be much more fulfilling. And if down the road you want to give teaching a shot, then finish the degree along with your PT career and maybe give it a shot.

[Mr Scorpio]

How will I know if I'll regret going into PT? Is there any way of knowing????

 

Time travel.

 

I'm scared of making the wrong choice.

 

Then do your research and work regarding that choice now. You can then look back knowing that you did your best in deciding.

 

And most importantly: If I do the things I'm passionate about on the side, will I still feel empty because it's not my "full time" gig??

 

I don't know. Are you the sort of person who absolutely cannot either tolerate or hold-down a "normal job"?

 

I think you might benefit from focusing on what it is you want out of a career and then assign priority to each of those things. Think bigger.

 

You've already identified the fact that teaching gigs are rare. They could also require relocation. They would also require a Masters (if not a PhD) in one of these areas. That means lots and lots of debt.

 

Moreover, you didn't mention anything about why you are "constantly looking" at that career. Why that specific field? That seems rather specialized. If it is just for the sake of teaching then consider a different subject. If it is for the love of those areas then think of a different career that fits the subject matter.