Doubting my motivations--delaying adulthood?

[notrack]

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This isn't a question that anyone can really answer, but I need to express it in some form.

I'm 22 years old and I graduated with a degree in Political Science. Throughout my academic career, I've always wanted to pursue medicine but because of poor-planning, finances, and the idea that I was not "good enough" I shied away. Within the last year (2014) I've done an internship for a consulting company and even drafted business proposals for a start-up, but it isn't something that I could imagine myself doing for the rest of my life. I made a commitment in the fall to start studying for my science prerequisite and follow the path I chose when I started college.

So instead of following a business to masters in business/quantitive analysis/finance/marketing/human resources route,/career path, I've opted to go towards medicine. Because of this decision, a lot of employers wouldn't see me as someone who would stay in for the long-haul (I am going back to school). I've gotten lots of interviews (I'm very lucky to have a good university recruiting system), but I don't think I could make the commitment to employers. Right now, to get by, I'm working at a grocery store--it also frees up a lot of time to study calc, chem, physics, bio, and volutneering. I do have 100-200 hours of volunteering at a hospital, and unlike other work settings, it was the one I most enjoyed.

Lately, I've been thinking that maybe I'm just delaying adulthood--that I'm just pursuing this idea (although I've done my research and have plans and contingency plans) because I don't want to enter the workforce. Sure, I could imagine working for 2-3 years in a marketing/research/consulting/nonprofit role and then going onto my masters, but I couldn't imagine doing it for the rest of my life. It doesn't help that my family's finances aren't all that stable, so working in a position that pays at least 30k would help substantially.

if this information helps: on average, a person tends to change their career goals 5 times within their lives.

Any thoughts?

 

[doctorjunior]

Think about what some of your other motivations are. What made you first consider medicine years ago? What is attractive about medicine to you- and could you accomplish that in a different career? What do you enjoy about your hospital volunteering?

It doesn't seem like you are simply delaying adulthood- you've done your research and you have some hospital experience. Have you shadowed any doctors yet? That may help you reach a decision if you haven't.

 

[TheShowGoesOn]

This isn't a question that anyone can really answer, but I need to express it in some form.

I'm 22 years old and I graduated with a degree in Political Science. Throughout my academic career, I've always wanted to pursue medicine but because of poor-planning, finances, and the idea that I was not "good enough" I shied away. Within the last year (2014) I've done an internship for a consulting company and even drafted business proposals for a start-up, but it isn't something that I could imagine myself doing for the rest of my life. I made a commitment in the fall to start studying for my science prerequisite and follow the path I chose when I started college.

So instead of following a business to masters in business/quantitive analysis/finance/marketing/human resources route,/career path, I've opted to go towards medicine. Because of this decision, a lot of employers wouldn't see me as someone who would stay in for the long-haul (I am going back to school). I've gotten lots of interviews (I'm very lucky to have a good university recruiting system), but I don't think I could make the commitment to employers. Right now, to get by, I'm working at a grocery store--it also frees up a lot of time to study calc, chem, physics, bio, and volutneering. I do have 100-200 hours of volunteering at a hospital, and unlike other work settings, it was the one I most enjoyed.

Lately, I've been thinking that maybe I'm just delaying adulthood--that I'm just pursuing this idea (although I've done my research and have plans and contingency plans) because I don't want to enter the workforce. Sure, I could imagine working for 2-3 years in a marketing/research/consulting/nonprofit role and then going onto my masters, but I couldn't imagine doing it for the rest of my life. It doesn't help that my family's finances aren't all that stable, so working in a position that pays at least 30k would help substantially.

if this information helps: on average, a person tends to change their career goals 5 times within their lives.

Any thoughts?

Pursue medicine. You will regret it if you don't, you stated that it's something you've always wanted to do. Worst comes to worse it doesn't work out and you are able to move onto your other career options- it may cost you if you decide to drop out during medical school but hey, you wouldn't be the first and that might not even happen.

The best lessons in life are the ones that hurt the most, or cost the most.

 

[sazerac]

I too worked in a grocery store as I pondered entering medicine. Did you ever notice that in produce code 4011, the two 1's kind of look like bananas?

One of the many reasons I chose medicine over other professions was that it was a socially acceptable way to be unemployed for most of a decade.

I'm finishing up third year of medical school now, and still happy I went down this path. I'm looking forward to working again in a year or so.

 

[j4pac]

Make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Lots of people like the idea of becoming a doctor, but that doesn't mean everyone should become a doctor. It's a huge investment and when you buy in...it has to be 100%. It's too demanding (and often soul-crushing) to give less than 100% and not be happy doing it.

If you want to delay entering the workforce...you aren't alone. It's terrifying, especially in today's economic climate. It's probably the biggest reason for the competition of med school admissions right now.

 

[FashiontoMed]

I definitely feel the same way you do after leaving an extremely well paying job only to become a broke student again. I was wondering if I was just delaying being in the workforce too. I decided if I didn't give it a shot, I would keep thinking "what if" and I would much rather say "oh well" than "what if."

 

[iceet]

If you want medicine, you need to jump in with both feet. Getting into medical school is extremely competitive and becoming more-so by the day even though there are new schools opening up and class sizes are increasing. Medical school admissions committees don't want people that are iffy about becoming a physician. First, decide if this is what you truly and ultimately desire, not something that is merely a way for you to "delay adulthood" like you said. Maybe you need to meditate, do some introspection, read, or shadow. If you do decide medicine is what you really want start gearing your entire life towards it including but not limited to your extracurricular activities, jobs, and education. I knew I would never be happy with a regular job, even large amounts of money would not be enough to keep me satisfied. I'm 28 and just got accepted but I made it my mission and devoted my time and energy to it. You will have to make sacrifices but if you know it's what you want it's worth it. It's never too late.

 

[iceet]

This would be a good thread to read:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ysayers-or-why-i-left-medical-school.1127578/

 

[sazerac]

@notrack , when you say your "family's finances aren't all that stable," are you referring to your mom & dad & you, or are you referring to your own spouse and perhaps kids?

 

[notrack]

My mother and father

 

[neurologist]

Working and adulthood are pretty great. What's your timeline on going to school? You shouldn't tell the employer about going back to school, ....

Actually, working kinda sucks, really, so you might as well work at something you enjoy.

I don't think the OP is delaying adulthood at all -- med school is an investment in your future that requires some type of adjustment in life if you want to get there, and it takes time. More like delayed gratification ( a very adult concept) than delaying adulthood.

Since it sounds like money is an issue to some extent, I'd strongly advise you to get a full time "real" job in the business/finance world and do your pre-med course work on the side, even though it may take longer than vice-versa. The job pays for your expenses and school, and if you don't make it into med school, well, at least you still have a "real" job to fall back on, not just some part time grocery gig. Plus, look at it this way: who looks better to a med school ad-com: the guy who got good grades while busting his ass full time at a real world job, or yet another "started post bacc right after college and never really did much except go to school" guy? Life experience helps. A lot.

I strongly agree w/ the advice of not mentioning your school plans to current or future employers -- that's just shooting yourself in the foot. I made sure I kept my "day job" while I did my post-bacc and told absolutely nobody at work a single word about my plans until I had a med school acceptance in my hand. (It helped that I could do all my post bacc classes at night, so I never had to miss work - if you can swing that, I strongly recommend it). Don't lose any sleep about "not being able to commit" to employers -- they won't give a rat's ass about you when the next round of layoffs comes down the road anyway. Anyone who isn't at least thinking about their next job is naive at best.

Yes, working full time and going to school almost full time is a crusher. But it really makes you decide how much you really want it. Enough to work 9-5 and then go to class 6-9 and study 930-12 every night? Enough to kiss most of your weekends and holidays goodbye for 2-3 years? Enough to risk losing touch with friends who have "real" lives? Enough to risk losing a signif other if they are not happy with your limited availability? If the answer to these is "sign me up now", then go for it. If not, well, you'll still have a "real job."

Best of luck. It's not an easy road, but it's worth it.