I apologize if this has been asked already, but I didn't see it. I was reading a really great thread about answering in the essay why you would switch careers. There are so many different posters from different professions on this board (which is great!) and it made me curious. I'd love to hear why you made the decision to switch? 🙂
Why Did You Switch?
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This may sound cheesy but, I was just thinking about my life and realized that what I was doing was not what I wanted. And that's "all she wrote."
No it's not cheesy, I guess I'm just wondering along the lines of what you would put in your essay. Not necessarily that you'd write your entire essay here, but just a brief idea. For example, I have a degree in Journalism and I love to write. I planned on going into the entertainment industry and working in PR. I had an internship for a major record label and met celebrities. I thought that was the life I wanted, yet there was something missing. I had always enjoyed helping people, but never thought that I could be a doctor. I was good at sciences in High School, but not MATH 😱 I was one of those kids who needed and sought encouragement. Most people in my Family had barely graduated High School and so I was kind of on my own in a lot of ways.
Since I didn't get the encouragement to try anything in the science/math/medical field I gravitated towards my creative side. I KNEW I could do well at that. After graduating college with a degree in Journalism I couldn't get into my field (after 2001 the entertainment industry became even more competitive. More experienced people in the industry and few entry level jobs.) I ended up working from home (reluctantly) for a friends company. This job turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Because I worked from home I was able to help care for a sick relative. As challenging as it was, I found that more rewarding than being around celebrities. Eventually another relative became ill and spent 5 weeks in the hospital. I was able to be with him every day. He went from the ICU, to thinking he was coming home, to passing away. It was a draining experience, but I felt the most calm and peace when I was in the hospital helping him out.
I realized that the only person that needed to approve of life is me. I have a lot more confidence in myself than I did when I was younger. For years I listened to what other people "thought" I was capable of instead of going for what I thought I was capable of. I know that I will have to do a lot of work, but it's worth it. I also realized that life is way too short to not go for your dreams. One of the most tragic things to happen in my life, happened almost 3 years ago. One of my closest friends ( I call her a cousin) was abducted and has not been seen since. She was the single mother of a 3 year old little girl. I realized at that moment that the only time we have is truly now. I have been using my Journalism skills to gain media attention for her case and I started an organization for a reward fund for her. So my undergrad degree is not going to waste! 🙂 I just realize how fortunate I am to have this opportunity to be here and still try another day and I intend on using it.
Since I didn't get the encouragement to try anything in the science/math/medical field I gravitated towards my creative side. I KNEW I could do well at that. After graduating college with a degree in Journalism I couldn't get into my field (after 2001 the entertainment industry became even more competitive. More experienced people in the industry and few entry level jobs.) I ended up working from home (reluctantly) for a friends company. This job turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Because I worked from home I was able to help care for a sick relative. As challenging as it was, I found that more rewarding than being around celebrities. Eventually another relative became ill and spent 5 weeks in the hospital. I was able to be with him every day. He went from the ICU, to thinking he was coming home, to passing away. It was a draining experience, but I felt the most calm and peace when I was in the hospital helping him out.
I realized that the only person that needed to approve of life is me. I have a lot more confidence in myself than I did when I was younger. For years I listened to what other people "thought" I was capable of instead of going for what I thought I was capable of. I know that I will have to do a lot of work, but it's worth it. I also realized that life is way too short to not go for your dreams. One of the most tragic things to happen in my life, happened almost 3 years ago. One of my closest friends ( I call her a cousin) was abducted and has not been seen since. She was the single mother of a 3 year old little girl. I realized at that moment that the only time we have is truly now. I have been using my Journalism skills to gain media attention for her case and I started an organization for a reward fund for her. So my undergrad degree is not going to waste! 🙂 I just realize how fortunate I am to have this opportunity to be here and still try another day and I intend on using it.
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It sounds like you already know why you're switching. You don't need a profound, deep-seated reason if you don't have one, but you do need to be honest and passionate about your reasons. Doesn't sound like you need much help from us in that department. 🙂
Hi,
Really, I wasn't asking for help. I was just curious as to what made people go into the field. There are a lot of people from different walks of life on this board and that's interesting to me. But thanks to those who have replied 🙂
Really, I wasn't asking for help. I was just curious as to what made people go into the field. There are a lot of people from different walks of life on this board and that's interesting to me. But thanks to those who have replied 🙂
blee said:
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I had an easy, good paying computer job when my mom and brother both were diagnosed with cancer. I felt helpless watching my mom waste away and eventually die while my career was all about streamlining business processes,...what a joke! Thankfully my brother survived.
I wanted to work toward something that mattered. It took something really bad to light the fire and get me back in school and now I am finally nearly there.
I wanted to work toward something that mattered. It took something really bad to light the fire and get me back in school and now I am finally nearly there.
hi there. ok, this is going to be a bit wandering, as i am sooooo tired right now. but, you asked! 😀 i've wanted to be a doctor since i can remember. i was that five year old saying "i'm gonna be a doctor when i grow up". now, i'm a 29 year old saying "i'm gonna be a doctor when i grow up". LOL
like you, i was good with science, but terrible with math. i hate math. still do. it really gets me, because i want so much to understand it, but math and i have irreconcilable differences. 🙄
but, alas, i was a naive young'un and i graduated with my associates degree thinking i knew it all and that i had all the time in the world to play with. so, i went to work in manhattan, the big shot that i was. ok, i made about 28K a year and spent probably half of it on my commute, but hey, i was a big shot manhattan worker! woo hoo! so, i spent quite a number of years moving up in manhattan at different companies. along the way, i realized that i was not a big shot. i would never be a big shot. i didn't have it in me. i didn't WANT to have it in me. i was tired of corporate. then, 9/11 happened, and i felt helpless. then, the blackout happened, and i had to walk from midtown to brooklyn so my husband could drive me home. 😱 i was done with manhattan. i never wanted to see manhattan again. and i realized that after all this, i STILL really wanted to be a doctor... so, what the heck was i playing corporate monkey for??? you see, i was always very good at my jobs. i love excel, and i'm pretty good with it. this allowed me to sort of pull the wool over my superiors eyes... i gave them beautiful reports, but deep down the shameful truth hid - i had no idea what i was talking about! the business stuff just made no sense to me. and i had no desire to learn it. but day after day, i sat there making my pretty reports hoping that no one would ask me any questions that i couldn't fluff or put off until i nonchalantly asked around until i got an answer. also, you could usually find various people sitting in my cube saying, "susanna, i have this bizarre rash/spot/sypmtom/pain... any idea what i can do about it/take for it/put on it?" i've loved medicine and research and the puzzle of it all forever.
so even though i put my dreams on a shelf for what i thought i was "supposed" to do, i am taking them back down now and dusting them off. i am going back to school, some how, some way.
thats me in a rambling, "makes no sense whatsoever" nutshell. hopefully someone will give you a more poetic answer than mine. LOL
best wishes to you!
susanna
like you, i was good with science, but terrible with math. i hate math. still do. it really gets me, because i want so much to understand it, but math and i have irreconcilable differences. 🙄
but, alas, i was a naive young'un and i graduated with my associates degree thinking i knew it all and that i had all the time in the world to play with. so, i went to work in manhattan, the big shot that i was. ok, i made about 28K a year and spent probably half of it on my commute, but hey, i was a big shot manhattan worker! woo hoo! so, i spent quite a number of years moving up in manhattan at different companies. along the way, i realized that i was not a big shot. i would never be a big shot. i didn't have it in me. i didn't WANT to have it in me. i was tired of corporate. then, 9/11 happened, and i felt helpless. then, the blackout happened, and i had to walk from midtown to brooklyn so my husband could drive me home. 😱 i was done with manhattan. i never wanted to see manhattan again. and i realized that after all this, i STILL really wanted to be a doctor... so, what the heck was i playing corporate monkey for??? you see, i was always very good at my jobs. i love excel, and i'm pretty good with it. this allowed me to sort of pull the wool over my superiors eyes... i gave them beautiful reports, but deep down the shameful truth hid - i had no idea what i was talking about! the business stuff just made no sense to me. and i had no desire to learn it. but day after day, i sat there making my pretty reports hoping that no one would ask me any questions that i couldn't fluff or put off until i nonchalantly asked around until i got an answer. also, you could usually find various people sitting in my cube saying, "susanna, i have this bizarre rash/spot/sypmtom/pain... any idea what i can do about it/take for it/put on it?" i've loved medicine and research and the puzzle of it all forever.
so even though i put my dreams on a shelf for what i thought i was "supposed" to do, i am taking them back down now and dusting them off. i am going back to school, some how, some way.
thats me in a rambling, "makes no sense whatsoever" nutshell. hopefully someone will give you a more poetic answer than mine. LOL
best wishes to you!
susanna
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Here's my story:
Since I was a little girl, I had always loved medicine. I had a lot of doctors in the family, and I always loved hearing about what they did, looking through their medical bag, and reading medical books. Even in elementary school, my favorite books to read were actual medical books--well, at least look through them, looking at all the pictures and asking questions. In high school, I decided to attempt to read through as much of Harrison's as I could. I made it decently far, and was always so excited about learning medical terms and finding out more about them through my relatives.
However, my high school was very poor in math and science, and I got very discouraged in my study of phyiscs and chemistry. I found studying science very intimidating, and wasn't sure at all that I could cut the pre-med requirements in college. In college, because of my poor foundation, I attempted to get through the pre-med requirements, but when I hit chemistry 2 I decided to drop the whole thing. Science seemed to be kicking my butt, and it was making my life miserable at the time. Plus, I didn't have the world's strongest work ethic, and was pretty distracted by the social life that college had to offer.
After I dropped pre-med, I decided to major in poli sci, and like many good poli sci majors, took the LSAT, did well, applied and got into law school. I had no idea what lawyers did, I had never even met a lawyer, but I decided that law school sounded like a good enough idea, even though I really knew very little about what studying the law would really be like. Unlike med school admissions, law school admissions does not encourage or require you to get "clinical experience" in the law before applying to make sure it's for you. Had that been a requirement, I would have realized very quickly that I had zero interest in the law right off the bat. However, like most other graduating seniors, I really had no concrete ideas of what I wanted to do with my life or what would have been a good fit, and I succumbed to the pressure to just go to grad school to ride out my career explorations for a few years. I figured I'd find something I liked in the law--why wouldn't I? However, that didn't happen.
I knew it was a bad sign when a few weeks before law school started, I received an orientation packet of cases to read, took one look through them, decided they were too boring to read, and threw them in the trash. The first week of law school, I realized that I was bored out of my mind with the material and could not for the life of me "get into" studying the law. I just found the law really, really boring. However, I persevered. I spent my law school summers working in legal settings, trying very hard to find a practice area that kept my interest. In fact, at my horrifically boring summer legal jobs at firms I looked at my watch even more frequently than I do now at my boring retail job (which is about once every five minutes.) I attempted to try to get interested in my law classes, but I did not take a single class or elective that interested me. I shadowed dozens of lawyer alums, did informaitonal interviews with lawyer alums, and worked with my career services office at my law school extensively. But I could not find a single practice area that sounded even the least bit appealing. So I decided that the law was simply just not for me, and decided I would not take the bar or participate in third year on-campus interviewing for after law school jobs.
So, after doing a lot of soul-searching and realizing that I'd never find an area in the law that interested me, I began looking into other careers. I thought back to my childhood interest in medicine, and realized that even though I tried to "drop" it after my pre-med experience in college, it never quite went away. It was always in the back of my mind, an interest that I thought about often. I realized that when I read for pleasure, my reading selections were usually either science or medicine. I realized that I read the health section of CNN first out of all the other sections and that I subscribed to several health related email newsletters. I realized that my favorite topic was health and medicine after all, and the field offered everything I was looking for: a nurturing, healing environment, my love of the human body and studying how it worked, my love of talking to people and helping them, my love of not having a desk job, and my interest in doing something that I felt mattered greatly to society.
Right after law school ended, much to the chagrin of my family, I enrolled in a post-bacc program, did not take the bar exam, and spent the next 1.5 years completing all my pre-med requirements with a 3.7 GPA, took the MCAT twice, and volunteered in free clinics, hosptials, shadowing, etc. Then after that I took a job in the hosptial (minimum wage, direct patient interaction job) and loved my experience there. Then that ended, and I'm currently working retail part-time while job-searching full-time. I've had a bunch of interviews in the last few weeks, all of them for more hospital jobs (which ironically really seems to be all I'm qualified for now, given that most of my resume is healthcare experiences + my one post-law school job in the hospital.)
Overall, though, my job in the hosptial was both good and bad: good in that I realized I loved working with patients and loved the hospital environment. I felt more at home in the hospital (I worked in the post-op area) than I had ever felt in a law office or any other legal setting. I looked forward to going to work every day. I loved helping patients as best I could. I loved being around doctors and nurses so much more than lawyers; I realized that I felt really at home in my position and in the healthcare setting.
On the other hand, the job really put some doubts into my mind as to whether or not I truly want to devote the next 8 years of my life to hard-core studying and "starting over from scratch" at age 30 as much as I thought I did when I first started the post-bacc. In my job, the attendings pretty much let me stand next to the med students and take the instruction with them; I saw a lot of bad things in terms of attending-med student interaction--i.e. med students getting screamed at, ignored, beaten down through humiliation and exhaustion, and overall disgruntledness, that I wondered whether or not I could take that kind of treatment as a 30-year old. I saw bitter, pissed off doctors who seemed to really despise their jobs. I had female physician mentors who were so defensive and exhausted all the time that I wondered if I wanted to go that route. Doubt about my science and memorization proclivities also began to creep in and I wondered whether or not I could honestly handle the basic sciences load in med school.
That, and seeing my resident husband basically having a really rough time with residency for the past 4 years also has planted many doubts in my mind. Honestly, when I see my hubby come home exhausted--nearly every day--and see him do Q4 call, I wonder whether I'll be able to handle that as a 35-year old mom. Residency from the spouse's view (and his as well) has been way harder than either of us expected it would be.
As much as I love medicine, I really don't know if the trade-off is worth it, starting at my age--28 now, 30 by starting date probably. I'm currently keeping medicine open, but am also seriously looking at dentistry, and some other non-medical, non-legal careers (like publishing, non-profit work, etc.) I for sure do not ever want to practice law, but there are some other areas of work that do interest me, although not as much as medicine does. No job is the "perfect" job I've realized, they all have their plusses and minuses. As I get older, being a well-rounded person is becoming more and more important to me. I realize that had I chosen the law, I probably would have changed careers by now anyway--the stress, long hours, and irritating personalities in law is just not worth it to me seeing as I have zero interest in the subject matter of the law. I really value my down time and am not sure I want a job that is always coming home with you. I don't know if I want to spend all my free time studying for 8 years. I don't know if I want to not read a book for pleasure for the next eight years, or take an adult ed class for fun. I don't know if I want to have to worry about whether or not I'll see my kids. I don't know whether or not I want to spend basically all of my thirties in a very demanding school program. I'd go into medicine a young woman, and I'd emerge nearly middle-aged. Yikes!
While medicine would make me feel like I'm really contributing to society and would compliment my interests in the human body and blood and guts well, it also requires immense sacrifices, and as much as I don't want to admit it to myself, I'm not sure at this point that those sacrifices are worth it, despite having already done a post-bacc and taken the MCAT twice (will need to take it a third time.) I guess I could be reasonably happy in the non-medical other careers I'm currently looking into, but they would never replace all the benefits that a career in medicine would offer. And I'd always, always regret not pursuing a medical career. Whether that regret would grow over time and become overwhelming, I'm not sure. Right now I sure do regret going to law school. I'd hate to have another big regret on my plate. At the same time, I'm not sure that I want to regret spending my thirties, what some would call the best years of your life, in school. Would I regret that--yes, probably. Arghhh. Decisions, decisions.
So that's my story and my current med or no med musings. Still on the fence. 🙂
Since I was a little girl, I had always loved medicine. I had a lot of doctors in the family, and I always loved hearing about what they did, looking through their medical bag, and reading medical books. Even in elementary school, my favorite books to read were actual medical books--well, at least look through them, looking at all the pictures and asking questions. In high school, I decided to attempt to read through as much of Harrison's as I could. I made it decently far, and was always so excited about learning medical terms and finding out more about them through my relatives.
However, my high school was very poor in math and science, and I got very discouraged in my study of phyiscs and chemistry. I found studying science very intimidating, and wasn't sure at all that I could cut the pre-med requirements in college. In college, because of my poor foundation, I attempted to get through the pre-med requirements, but when I hit chemistry 2 I decided to drop the whole thing. Science seemed to be kicking my butt, and it was making my life miserable at the time. Plus, I didn't have the world's strongest work ethic, and was pretty distracted by the social life that college had to offer.
After I dropped pre-med, I decided to major in poli sci, and like many good poli sci majors, took the LSAT, did well, applied and got into law school. I had no idea what lawyers did, I had never even met a lawyer, but I decided that law school sounded like a good enough idea, even though I really knew very little about what studying the law would really be like. Unlike med school admissions, law school admissions does not encourage or require you to get "clinical experience" in the law before applying to make sure it's for you. Had that been a requirement, I would have realized very quickly that I had zero interest in the law right off the bat. However, like most other graduating seniors, I really had no concrete ideas of what I wanted to do with my life or what would have been a good fit, and I succumbed to the pressure to just go to grad school to ride out my career explorations for a few years. I figured I'd find something I liked in the law--why wouldn't I? However, that didn't happen.
I knew it was a bad sign when a few weeks before law school started, I received an orientation packet of cases to read, took one look through them, decided they were too boring to read, and threw them in the trash. The first week of law school, I realized that I was bored out of my mind with the material and could not for the life of me "get into" studying the law. I just found the law really, really boring. However, I persevered. I spent my law school summers working in legal settings, trying very hard to find a practice area that kept my interest. In fact, at my horrifically boring summer legal jobs at firms I looked at my watch even more frequently than I do now at my boring retail job (which is about once every five minutes.) I attempted to try to get interested in my law classes, but I did not take a single class or elective that interested me. I shadowed dozens of lawyer alums, did informaitonal interviews with lawyer alums, and worked with my career services office at my law school extensively. But I could not find a single practice area that sounded even the least bit appealing. So I decided that the law was simply just not for me, and decided I would not take the bar or participate in third year on-campus interviewing for after law school jobs.
So, after doing a lot of soul-searching and realizing that I'd never find an area in the law that interested me, I began looking into other careers. I thought back to my childhood interest in medicine, and realized that even though I tried to "drop" it after my pre-med experience in college, it never quite went away. It was always in the back of my mind, an interest that I thought about often. I realized that when I read for pleasure, my reading selections were usually either science or medicine. I realized that I read the health section of CNN first out of all the other sections and that I subscribed to several health related email newsletters. I realized that my favorite topic was health and medicine after all, and the field offered everything I was looking for: a nurturing, healing environment, my love of the human body and studying how it worked, my love of talking to people and helping them, my love of not having a desk job, and my interest in doing something that I felt mattered greatly to society.
Right after law school ended, much to the chagrin of my family, I enrolled in a post-bacc program, did not take the bar exam, and spent the next 1.5 years completing all my pre-med requirements with a 3.7 GPA, took the MCAT twice, and volunteered in free clinics, hosptials, shadowing, etc. Then after that I took a job in the hosptial (minimum wage, direct patient interaction job) and loved my experience there. Then that ended, and I'm currently working retail part-time while job-searching full-time. I've had a bunch of interviews in the last few weeks, all of them for more hospital jobs (which ironically really seems to be all I'm qualified for now, given that most of my resume is healthcare experiences + my one post-law school job in the hospital.)
Overall, though, my job in the hosptial was both good and bad: good in that I realized I loved working with patients and loved the hospital environment. I felt more at home in the hospital (I worked in the post-op area) than I had ever felt in a law office or any other legal setting. I looked forward to going to work every day. I loved helping patients as best I could. I loved being around doctors and nurses so much more than lawyers; I realized that I felt really at home in my position and in the healthcare setting.
On the other hand, the job really put some doubts into my mind as to whether or not I truly want to devote the next 8 years of my life to hard-core studying and "starting over from scratch" at age 30 as much as I thought I did when I first started the post-bacc. In my job, the attendings pretty much let me stand next to the med students and take the instruction with them; I saw a lot of bad things in terms of attending-med student interaction--i.e. med students getting screamed at, ignored, beaten down through humiliation and exhaustion, and overall disgruntledness, that I wondered whether or not I could take that kind of treatment as a 30-year old. I saw bitter, pissed off doctors who seemed to really despise their jobs. I had female physician mentors who were so defensive and exhausted all the time that I wondered if I wanted to go that route. Doubt about my science and memorization proclivities also began to creep in and I wondered whether or not I could honestly handle the basic sciences load in med school.
That, and seeing my resident husband basically having a really rough time with residency for the past 4 years also has planted many doubts in my mind. Honestly, when I see my hubby come home exhausted--nearly every day--and see him do Q4 call, I wonder whether I'll be able to handle that as a 35-year old mom. Residency from the spouse's view (and his as well) has been way harder than either of us expected it would be.
As much as I love medicine, I really don't know if the trade-off is worth it, starting at my age--28 now, 30 by starting date probably. I'm currently keeping medicine open, but am also seriously looking at dentistry, and some other non-medical, non-legal careers (like publishing, non-profit work, etc.) I for sure do not ever want to practice law, but there are some other areas of work that do interest me, although not as much as medicine does. No job is the "perfect" job I've realized, they all have their plusses and minuses. As I get older, being a well-rounded person is becoming more and more important to me. I realize that had I chosen the law, I probably would have changed careers by now anyway--the stress, long hours, and irritating personalities in law is just not worth it to me seeing as I have zero interest in the subject matter of the law. I really value my down time and am not sure I want a job that is always coming home with you. I don't know if I want to spend all my free time studying for 8 years. I don't know if I want to not read a book for pleasure for the next eight years, or take an adult ed class for fun. I don't know if I want to have to worry about whether or not I'll see my kids. I don't know whether or not I want to spend basically all of my thirties in a very demanding school program. I'd go into medicine a young woman, and I'd emerge nearly middle-aged. Yikes!
While medicine would make me feel like I'm really contributing to society and would compliment my interests in the human body and blood and guts well, it also requires immense sacrifices, and as much as I don't want to admit it to myself, I'm not sure at this point that those sacrifices are worth it, despite having already done a post-bacc and taken the MCAT twice (will need to take it a third time.) I guess I could be reasonably happy in the non-medical other careers I'm currently looking into, but they would never replace all the benefits that a career in medicine would offer. And I'd always, always regret not pursuing a medical career. Whether that regret would grow over time and become overwhelming, I'm not sure. Right now I sure do regret going to law school. I'd hate to have another big regret on my plate. At the same time, I'm not sure that I want to regret spending my thirties, what some would call the best years of your life, in school. Would I regret that--yes, probably. Arghhh. Decisions, decisions.
So that's my story and my current med or no med musings. Still on the fence. 🙂
M
Mike MacKinnon
Well this is a cool thread.
I have always wanted to be in medicine. Didnt know i wanted to be a Doc until about a year ago. I went into Nursing to be one thing: a flight Nurse. I have spent 10 years doing ICU ER Trauma and flight. I teach every class that exists and currently teach many CME's for Nurses and Physicians alike. Once i was a flight nurse for 3 years I started to wonder whatw as next. What I got from flight nursing was a taste of what its like to be an independant practitioner. The more i thought about it the more i knew there was only one place to go that would fulfill that need to "know what i dont know". In medicine that is physician. I am an A type personality. NP or PA would not give me anymore independance that I currently have as a flight nurse, nor would it signifigantly increase my knowledge base.
So thats my story. I am excited not only to increase my knowedge base, but to have the responsibility that soley lies with phsyicians. Its exciting and scary at the same time, but i feel like its a drive in me that i would regret if i didnt satisfy.
Have a good one
I have always wanted to be in medicine. Didnt know i wanted to be a Doc until about a year ago. I went into Nursing to be one thing: a flight Nurse. I have spent 10 years doing ICU ER Trauma and flight. I teach every class that exists and currently teach many CME's for Nurses and Physicians alike. Once i was a flight nurse for 3 years I started to wonder whatw as next. What I got from flight nursing was a taste of what its like to be an independant practitioner. The more i thought about it the more i knew there was only one place to go that would fulfill that need to "know what i dont know". In medicine that is physician. I am an A type personality. NP or PA would not give me anymore independance that I currently have as a flight nurse, nor would it signifigantly increase my knowledge base.
So thats my story. I am excited not only to increase my knowedge base, but to have the responsibility that soley lies with phsyicians. Its exciting and scary at the same time, but i feel like its a drive in me that i would regret if i didnt satisfy.
Have a good one
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Toofscum said:
Wow, thanks for sharing the insight Toof. I'm also considering doing a postbacc. at a local state university, but I will definitely need to get more clinical/volunteer experience to see if it is what I really want to do.
I also have heard how much medical school and residency can drain a person, so this would be my biggest concern.
The other field I'm looking at is pharmacy because it combines my interest in science, health care, medicine, and helping people and it doesn't seem to drain the life out of you to complete.
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Toofscum said:
I think it's good that you are still mulling over the sacrifices involved in medicine. Quite frankly (and we had this similar exchange on the other board) the things you dislike about the law are precisely the things you will find in abundance in any profession, including medicine, so I am skeptical that this is your path to happiness. Both careers involve stress, long hours, irritating personalities (you mentioned the yelling attendings in your above posts, for example) and even a certain amount of boredom and tedium (you will tend to see many more "horses" than "zebras", and every procedure probably tends to lose its novelty after the dozenth time). Medicine is no exception, (probably even more so than law in terms of stress, hours and abusive hierarchy) but the entry cost in terms of time and money is more significant, so you'd better be really really sure. Your posts suggest to me that your personality and attitude had more to do with your disinterest in the law than the law itself -- there are dozens of specialties and yet you somehow managed to dismiss them all without really trying any (your two summer jobs don't really count -- it takes many months (sometimes years) after being licensed before you really are functioning as a lawyer, having the responsibilities, and seeing the real deal). There are lots of good valid reasons to be frustrated or dissatisfied with the law, but until you've actually tried practicing as a licensed attorney (in a couple of areas), your assertion that "every specialty is boring" is a bit specious.
At any rate if you hope to get into med school, you really want to change your tune because adcoms won't want to hear that you tried one profession, hated it as "too boring" without really giving it a chance in practice, and now are immediately embarking on a whole brand new career -- that's not a good "back story", and makes you seem like a career student or flighty. You want to be able to state the positives in the law - things you liked about it, how it helped you grow as a person and a professional (and really mean it), and yet come up with legitimate reasons why you are making a change, made the misstep initially, and are better suited for medicine and not likely to be making a misstep again. I'm not sure what's the best face to put on your appication in your situation. But saying one profession is too boring, stressful, etc. won't ever endear you to another. It also creates concerns that you are making the same mistake again or are the type of person who will never find what they seek. So it's time to adjust your attitude and come up with a new mantra, and sing it over and over again until you actually believe it. Good luck.
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You know, Law2Doc, after I wrote that very sentence, I knew--just knew--that you would not only quote it, but would post your typical toofscum-bashing reply with it. How predictable you are.
Like I've said before, stress, long hours, and dealing with irritating people are not worth it in law for me--because I have zero interest in the LAW--but ARE likely worth it in medicine--a field for which I have tons of interest. I have no intention of practicing as a lawyer for five years in order to sample a profession that I know in my heart has no interest whatsoever for me. I want to start on my true passion--medicine--now--not when I'm 35 or older. When you know what you want right off the bat, as I do now with medicine, there is absolutely no reason to waste more time sampling a profession that bores me to tears. Life is short, and I want to get started on my real career passion now. Not sure why you just can't see the distinction here.
Instead of just reiterating over and over your thoughts in various forums on MY circumstance, why don't you just answer the question of this thread yourself--why did YOU switch (if you're such a champion of the legal profession, I, myself, would really like to hear why you'd leave your beloved profession for the medical path).
Like I've said before, stress, long hours, and dealing with irritating people are not worth it in law for me--because I have zero interest in the LAW--but ARE likely worth it in medicine--a field for which I have tons of interest. I have no intention of practicing as a lawyer for five years in order to sample a profession that I know in my heart has no interest whatsoever for me. I want to start on my true passion--medicine--now--not when I'm 35 or older. When you know what you want right off the bat, as I do now with medicine, there is absolutely no reason to waste more time sampling a profession that bores me to tears. Life is short, and I want to get started on my real career passion now. Not sure why you just can't see the distinction here.
Instead of just reiterating over and over your thoughts in various forums on MY circumstance, why don't you just answer the question of this thread yourself--why did YOU switch (if you're such a champion of the legal profession, I, myself, would really like to hear why you'd leave your beloved profession for the medical path).
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wow I like this thread.
Part 1: The beginning
Well my story is very similar to Toofscum. I have always loved science, but I had a very poor foundation in math/and very lazy. As an undergrad I attempted to take a few chem classes and decided that medicine was to hard and I was to stupid.
I quickly changed to something I thought was easy and interesting. I knew I could never make a living so it was just a major I did for fun. I Also did debate, and interned part time at the public defenders office. Everyone told me that I would be a great lawyer because I debated so well. I never really wanted to be an attorney, but I decided that since everyone said I would be good at it, I must like it.
Like many naive early 20 somethings i decided to apply to law school in hopes of making it big, and doing something I actually cared about. I tried to bury my desire to become a doctor. I got into a top 20 law school and I immediately knew that it was not for me but pursued it out of duty.
Part 2 Law School life!!
Law school was tough!!! I mean very tough. For the first time in my life, I had to study. I never studied as an undergrad, but now I was studying at least 4-6 hours a night and weekends. My first year of law school depressed me so much that I wanted to just drop out right then and there. It was at this point that I decided to start looking for other career opportunities. I almost dropped law school but decided that I did not want to be a quitter. How would it look to potential employers if I just quit all of this schooling?
Sooo I decided to stick with it. I tried the best I could. During my second year of law school I began to realize that if I could study this hard for something I do not like, why not do something I have a passion for? I do not regret law school, its been a very intense yet positive experience in my life. For the first time in my life I had motivation, work ethic, disciple, and a thick skin. Law professors made students cry, and for the first time in my life I was put on the spot. Law school made me a more well rounded, gave me the ability to think on my feet. And most importantly gave me a tough work ethic
I DO NOT RECOMMEND that anyone follow my path to find out whether they want to be a doctor, but law school gave me the confidence to want to become a doctor. Without my experience as a law student I would not have the discipline, drive, and desire to go into medicine
Part 3 The decision
In between my second year and third year of law school I decided that I needed to do something clinical in order to find out whether medicine was for me. So I decided to get an EMT certificate and work for am ambulance service doing basic BLS while I gain clinical experience.
Like many early 20 somethings I had no idea why I wanted to practice law. I did it for the worst reasons, because I could. I think people should be given a second chance to follow their dreams. Being a law student has given me that confidence. I knew one thing and that is I always wanted to be a doctor. I had an interests in science, I was fascinated by the human body, I wanted to be a teacher, healer, mentor, counselor, care taker, and being a physician seems to embody all of those traits into one profession.
Current situation
I am now finishing up my third year of law school, and hoping to work as an EMT part time until I apply to med school. That is pretty much my experience. Toof scum I can understand your feelings towards the legal profession. Like law 2 doc said I would really try to look a the positives of law school and take that with you. I know for sure that I would still be that lazy 25 year old without law school. So right now I am taking my prereqs parttime, and hopefully I Will apply in a few years....Good luck!
On a side note:
I understand how you feel toofscum, why take another 5 years sampling a profession you hate? IF you have absolutely no interests in the legal field and you know you went into it for the wrong reasons, there is no reason to trump the adcoms questions by working another 5-10 years. Just be honest in your feelings, that all I can say. If you know you hate something, you hate it. Its like being in a bad relationship and asking the other partner to just try it out for a few years, even though you know you can't handle it!!!
I liken the legal profession to a bad engagement with a person. I know I dont want to marry this person, yet everyone says I should. Just think of it that way!
Part 1: The beginning
Well my story is very similar to Toofscum. I have always loved science, but I had a very poor foundation in math/and very lazy. As an undergrad I attempted to take a few chem classes and decided that medicine was to hard and I was to stupid.
I quickly changed to something I thought was easy and interesting. I knew I could never make a living so it was just a major I did for fun. I Also did debate, and interned part time at the public defenders office. Everyone told me that I would be a great lawyer because I debated so well. I never really wanted to be an attorney, but I decided that since everyone said I would be good at it, I must like it.
Like many naive early 20 somethings i decided to apply to law school in hopes of making it big, and doing something I actually cared about. I tried to bury my desire to become a doctor. I got into a top 20 law school and I immediately knew that it was not for me but pursued it out of duty.
Part 2 Law School life!!
Law school was tough!!! I mean very tough. For the first time in my life, I had to study. I never studied as an undergrad, but now I was studying at least 4-6 hours a night and weekends. My first year of law school depressed me so much that I wanted to just drop out right then and there. It was at this point that I decided to start looking for other career opportunities. I almost dropped law school but decided that I did not want to be a quitter. How would it look to potential employers if I just quit all of this schooling?
Sooo I decided to stick with it. I tried the best I could. During my second year of law school I began to realize that if I could study this hard for something I do not like, why not do something I have a passion for? I do not regret law school, its been a very intense yet positive experience in my life. For the first time in my life I had motivation, work ethic, disciple, and a thick skin. Law professors made students cry, and for the first time in my life I was put on the spot. Law school made me a more well rounded, gave me the ability to think on my feet. And most importantly gave me a tough work ethic
I DO NOT RECOMMEND that anyone follow my path to find out whether they want to be a doctor, but law school gave me the confidence to want to become a doctor. Without my experience as a law student I would not have the discipline, drive, and desire to go into medicine
Part 3 The decision
In between my second year and third year of law school I decided that I needed to do something clinical in order to find out whether medicine was for me. So I decided to get an EMT certificate and work for am ambulance service doing basic BLS while I gain clinical experience.
Like many early 20 somethings I had no idea why I wanted to practice law. I did it for the worst reasons, because I could. I think people should be given a second chance to follow their dreams. Being a law student has given me that confidence. I knew one thing and that is I always wanted to be a doctor. I had an interests in science, I was fascinated by the human body, I wanted to be a teacher, healer, mentor, counselor, care taker, and being a physician seems to embody all of those traits into one profession.
Current situation
I am now finishing up my third year of law school, and hoping to work as an EMT part time until I apply to med school. That is pretty much my experience. Toof scum I can understand your feelings towards the legal profession. Like law 2 doc said I would really try to look a the positives of law school and take that with you. I know for sure that I would still be that lazy 25 year old without law school. So right now I am taking my prereqs parttime, and hopefully I Will apply in a few years....Good luck!
On a side note:
I understand how you feel toofscum, why take another 5 years sampling a profession you hate? IF you have absolutely no interests in the legal field and you know you went into it for the wrong reasons, there is no reason to trump the adcoms questions by working another 5-10 years. Just be honest in your feelings, that all I can say. If you know you hate something, you hate it. Its like being in a bad relationship and asking the other partner to just try it out for a few years, even though you know you can't handle it!!!
I liken the legal profession to a bad engagement with a person. I know I dont want to marry this person, yet everyone says I should. Just think of it that way!
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I haven't actually "switched" yet, but I am scheduled to begin my post-bacc studies this fall. I, personally, find the stories of the non-traditional student/doc very interesting. People seem to pursue the field of medicine later in life for a variety of reasons: general interest, the challenge, helping others, making a difference, being in control/autonomy, respect, and lets not forget money (to name a few). What I have found in researching this little journey of mine is that those who enter medicine LATER almost always have a interesting reason for doing so. Not only that, they tend to be very fascinating people with the common thread of being unwilling to settle.
Just a little history to tell you where I'm coming from...I have a business degree, and became involved in several successful business ventures shortly after graduating. I worked very hard for everything, and it has paid many dividends - financially that is. Although initially I found it rewarding and challenging to build these businesses, I later realized that I was just "chasing the buck." Deep down, I didn't have a true interest in WHAT I was doing. Sure, I could just ride into the sunset and collect, but I have often felt that I passed on something that I was meant to do. Even during the early and exciting years of building my businesses I questioned myself regularly about going back and doing pre-reqs for entry into med school. At that time I determined that it was more important to pay off my school loans from undergrad. I also dont feel that I would have been able to fully commit to the task. I am now 34 (single with no children) with two very successful businesses thinking that now is as good a time as any. In addition to starting classes this fall, I have already set up both research at the U and volunteer time at one of the local hospitals. The field of medicine continues to call, and I dont want to be the person that wishes they would have you get the picture. As a result of my personality (very type A), I know that neither nursing nor being a PA is for me several friends in the field have affirmed this. So, basically I NEED to know that I have done everything in my power to pursue it. If I go through the next two years and decide otherwise that would be OK. For the record, I cannot remember the last time that I was this excited about something. It just feels right...hopefully, it is.
Just a little history to tell you where I'm coming from...I have a business degree, and became involved in several successful business ventures shortly after graduating. I worked very hard for everything, and it has paid many dividends - financially that is. Although initially I found it rewarding and challenging to build these businesses, I later realized that I was just "chasing the buck." Deep down, I didn't have a true interest in WHAT I was doing. Sure, I could just ride into the sunset and collect, but I have often felt that I passed on something that I was meant to do. Even during the early and exciting years of building my businesses I questioned myself regularly about going back and doing pre-reqs for entry into med school. At that time I determined that it was more important to pay off my school loans from undergrad. I also dont feel that I would have been able to fully commit to the task. I am now 34 (single with no children) with two very successful businesses thinking that now is as good a time as any. In addition to starting classes this fall, I have already set up both research at the U and volunteer time at one of the local hospitals. The field of medicine continues to call, and I dont want to be the person that wishes they would have you get the picture. As a result of my personality (very type A), I know that neither nursing nor being a PA is for me several friends in the field have affirmed this. So, basically I NEED to know that I have done everything in my power to pursue it. If I go through the next two years and decide otherwise that would be OK. For the record, I cannot remember the last time that I was this excited about something. It just feels right...hopefully, it is.
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Much like the first few responses.
I realized I'd rather be a physician. I realized I'm better suited to that than my current career, despite my current successes. That's it. I'm going to go towards my best potential.
I realized I'd rather be a physician. I realized I'm better suited to that than my current career, despite my current successes. That's it. I'm going to go towards my best potential.
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- Attending Physician
Toofscum said:
I had no intent of bashing you (and did BTW wish you luck 🙄 ). But I have to tell you that the way you approach things in your background (like the study of law) can make them assets or hurdles. If you take the approach that law school (and every specialty of the law --even those you had no exposure to) was boring and you hated it and now realize you have a "passion" for medicine, any adcom member will worry that you are making the same mistake twice. However if you instead came out espousing that law school was a great experience which helped you grow and taught you a lot of things about yourself which might help make you a better doctor, then you perhaps have a leg to stand on. For obvious reasons I am very open to the possibility of one switching from law to medicine, and yet I am troubled by your need to repeatedly assert how boring law was, and how your law degree is preventing you from getting other jobs. I'm not seeking to be a champion of the legal profession -- my issues with your post really translate equally to any prior profession -- I've learned from past job changes that you always get further when you are able to speak positively about where you have been, and the things you have done and learned there.
And I do think your chances to grow and learn things in this way would have been greater had you actually worked -- which would provide exposure to working long hours, high stress, dealing with clients, unpleasant bosses and co-workers -- all things which have analogs in medicine. But that is a moot point.
As for my own reasons to change careers, my reasons are similar to those who posted earliest on this thread -- it was something I had always wanted to do, got diverted from that path by circumstances not completely under my control, contemplated making the change for quite a while, and finally the timing was right. But you'd better believe I embraced my history and credentials rather than bemoaned them -- I spent years earning those bars, and so come application time, that was my "hook".
Thanks to everyone who posted! Every post has helped me tremedously. I love this thread!!! 😀 Toof, I really feel you and enjoyed and needed your post. That was the kind of honesty I was looking for. I think you posted what a lot of people feel. unceartainty about what we are doing or have done and looking to be happy and fulfilled in a career. I can't tell you guys how many times I switched majors in college because I just didn't know what I was doing.
The difference is that now I have a peace that I didn't have before. I know that I am on the right track, but I'm still having feelings of fear and insecurity. YUCK. Shale, you and I sound like we could be twins in some areas!! I enjoyed your post so much..LOL..LOL.. When I remember this one day when I was doing my internship at the record label in Manhattan and I was coming home after working until like 8:00 pm and I had been up since 5:00 am. I got on the train to come home and I just burst out crying. I was boo hooing like a baby!!! The train was packed and I must have looked insane, but I didn't stop. The beauty of it was that nobody even blinked once. (Guess they were used to seeing crazy people in Manhattan). I was just exhausted and I felt empty because I was putting in all of these hours and working my butt off to be in this profession and for some reason I was still feeling empty???? You get props for your beautiful reports and your Excel skills! 😀
Law2Doc, I hear you on accentuating the positive. Especially when we write essays and apply to school. I think in the case here. She was just answering honestly about her feelings and I'm glad because now I know I'm not the only one with those feelings and doubts. One thing that surprises me is how many of you are coming from the legal profession. That is amazing! I don't think you can go wrong with that experience or that degree. I had actually taken a few classes in undergrad and I loved those classes.
Thanks to all of my peeps (non-traditional students). I am so happy I found this forum. Please, keep writing. I am being helped so much!!! Also, I am really proud of everyone willing to live out their dreams. Do you know how many people just sit in jobs they hate because of 1) Fear or 2) Money or 3) Worrying about what others think.
Everybody in here gets much love from me!!! I am impressed 🙂
The difference is that now I have a peace that I didn't have before. I know that I am on the right track, but I'm still having feelings of fear and insecurity. YUCK. Shale, you and I sound like we could be twins in some areas!! I enjoyed your post so much..LOL..LOL.. When I remember this one day when I was doing my internship at the record label in Manhattan and I was coming home after working until like 8:00 pm and I had been up since 5:00 am. I got on the train to come home and I just burst out crying. I was boo hooing like a baby!!! The train was packed and I must have looked insane, but I didn't stop. The beauty of it was that nobody even blinked once. (Guess they were used to seeing crazy people in Manhattan). I was just exhausted and I felt empty because I was putting in all of these hours and working my butt off to be in this profession and for some reason I was still feeling empty???? You get props for your beautiful reports and your Excel skills! 😀
Law2Doc, I hear you on accentuating the positive. Especially when we write essays and apply to school. I think in the case here. She was just answering honestly about her feelings and I'm glad because now I know I'm not the only one with those feelings and doubts. One thing that surprises me is how many of you are coming from the legal profession. That is amazing! I don't think you can go wrong with that experience or that degree. I had actually taken a few classes in undergrad and I loved those classes.
Thanks to all of my peeps (non-traditional students). I am so happy I found this forum. Please, keep writing. I am being helped so much!!! Also, I am really proud of everyone willing to live out their dreams. Do you know how many people just sit in jobs they hate because of 1) Fear or 2) Money or 3) Worrying about what others think.
Everybody in here gets much love from me!!! I am impressed 🙂
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I'm another law to med case. Been a lawyer for a few years in a few different areas of law (still a lawyer in fact), and will be starting my first premed class in January, and quitting law for good nine months from now. Much like Toof, I went into law by default, and because everyone said what a great laywer I'd make. I am a good lawyer, but completely uninspired and unfulfilled. I've always been intrigued by medicine, but wasn't keen on (or confident enough about) the math required to get there. In college I was a bit of a coward, and only took classes I knew I could get As in.
I believe that the thought process that finally brought me to this career-changing decision was the realization that I have no desire to become a partner at a law firm, and that in fact, the thought of doing what I'm doing now for the next thirty years or so was unspeakably depressing. That's what pushed me from my well-paid and unenthused slumber. And when I thought to myself "What would I want to do if you could do anything?" the answer was finally quite clear: be a doctor. And the thought of going back to school and learning about the human body and medicine and actually DOING something worthwhile and helpful excited me like nothing has since....well, I can remember. Oh, and I'm currently 30 years old. No time like the present.
I believe that the thought process that finally brought me to this career-changing decision was the realization that I have no desire to become a partner at a law firm, and that in fact, the thought of doing what I'm doing now for the next thirty years or so was unspeakably depressing. That's what pushed me from my well-paid and unenthused slumber. And when I thought to myself "What would I want to do if you could do anything?" the answer was finally quite clear: be a doctor. And the thought of going back to school and learning about the human body and medicine and actually DOING something worthwhile and helpful excited me like nothing has since....well, I can remember. Oh, and I'm currently 30 years old. No time like the present.
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wow, it's amazing how many ex-law people we have here. maybe law schools are just way too lax in their admissions requirements and wind up accepting people who have no real interest in law. i got into every law school i applied to with the exception of harvard, didn't have to interview anywhere, and never mentioned anywhere in my personal statement why i had any interest in law. basically, i also went to law school by default because i was a history major and did reallly well on the lsat.
with me, i made the decision that i didn't want to practice law before i decided i wanted to go into medicine. i really didn't like law school, even though i did fairly well and enjoyed some of the more intellectual aspects of it. i hated procedural stuff, hated the general legal culture (yeah, i know medicine's bad, too) and just had no real interest in doing anything beyond intellectual property, which i couldn't get a job in. for a variety of practical reasons (no job, expense of taking the bar exam, and a move between states in the summer after graduating), i opted not to take the bar or practice and now do insurance work. from that, i decided that i wanted to do something with meaning and that would involve regular human contact. i'm also a fairly autonomous worker, and being a doctor just seemed to fit with all my requirements.
i am wondering how to spin the law school thing, though. i did well and did stick it out all three years, so that should say something about my academic ability and perseverance. i've also held my current job for nearly three years, so it's not like i have a history of career instability. i'd like to say that it was a learning experience in that i made a wrong career decision and realized why it was wrong. i don't want to make the same mistake, so i've really done my research with medicine. also, law school definitely helps your critical thinking skills, shows you how to issue spot, and forces you to handle a decent amount of stress, so i guess i'll mention that. any other ideas from the ex-law people?
with me, i made the decision that i didn't want to practice law before i decided i wanted to go into medicine. i really didn't like law school, even though i did fairly well and enjoyed some of the more intellectual aspects of it. i hated procedural stuff, hated the general legal culture (yeah, i know medicine's bad, too) and just had no real interest in doing anything beyond intellectual property, which i couldn't get a job in. for a variety of practical reasons (no job, expense of taking the bar exam, and a move between states in the summer after graduating), i opted not to take the bar or practice and now do insurance work. from that, i decided that i wanted to do something with meaning and that would involve regular human contact. i'm also a fairly autonomous worker, and being a doctor just seemed to fit with all my requirements.
i am wondering how to spin the law school thing, though. i did well and did stick it out all three years, so that should say something about my academic ability and perseverance. i've also held my current job for nearly three years, so it's not like i have a history of career instability. i'd like to say that it was a learning experience in that i made a wrong career decision and realized why it was wrong. i don't want to make the same mistake, so i've really done my research with medicine. also, law school definitely helps your critical thinking skills, shows you how to issue spot, and forces you to handle a decent amount of stress, so i guess i'll mention that. any other ideas from the ex-law people?
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hi toofscum,
you've brought up some really valid points about the downsides of medical school. i was wondering if you'd thought about any other medical jobs that are more worker-friendly, still allow a lot of patient interaction and pay fairly well. what about jobs like occupational therapy or speech pathology?
you've brought up some really valid points about the downsides of medical school. i was wondering if you'd thought about any other medical jobs that are more worker-friendly, still allow a lot of patient interaction and pay fairly well. what about jobs like occupational therapy or speech pathology?
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My story is, I never wanted to study medicine.
I had a student job transcribing clinic notes, as I worked through my liberal-arts undergrad degree. I partied, I paid attention in the classes that interested me and half-assed the others. I enjoyed my job; I got to learn a bunch of cool words, and get some sense of how a day in clinic works.
But the poor residents and students, they seemed so... tired. Beaten down. Exhausted. I learned more about what they were going through, and thought, "wow, those poor suckers. I'd never do that to myself."
But no job I had in the next 10 years came even close to satisfying my own desire to do something I a) enjoyed, b) respected, and c) thought of as worthwhile and important. I dated a med student, and got interested again in how that world works. I started volunteering at the local county ED. I got trained as an EMT. I got hired to work in the ED.
I fell in love, basically. And I don't mean the med student; that didn't work out. I mean that my long-buried interest in medicine was unearthed as I (and she, let's give her credit) said "hey, I could be really good at that."
And now I'm up past midnight working on Chem homework, almost done with the first semester of my post-bac. I still think those poor slobs who put themselves through it are totally and completely insane... but now I'm hoping to become one of them.
I had a student job transcribing clinic notes, as I worked through my liberal-arts undergrad degree. I partied, I paid attention in the classes that interested me and half-assed the others. I enjoyed my job; I got to learn a bunch of cool words, and get some sense of how a day in clinic works.
But the poor residents and students, they seemed so... tired. Beaten down. Exhausted. I learned more about what they were going through, and thought, "wow, those poor suckers. I'd never do that to myself."
But no job I had in the next 10 years came even close to satisfying my own desire to do something I a) enjoyed, b) respected, and c) thought of as worthwhile and important. I dated a med student, and got interested again in how that world works. I started volunteering at the local county ED. I got trained as an EMT. I got hired to work in the ED.
I fell in love, basically. And I don't mean the med student; that didn't work out. I mean that my long-buried interest in medicine was unearthed as I (and she, let's give her credit) said "hey, I could be really good at that."
And now I'm up past midnight working on Chem homework, almost done with the first semester of my post-bac. I still think those poor slobs who put themselves through it are totally and completely insane... but now I'm hoping to become one of them.
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I've never been to law school but my sister went and was about as crazy about it as the rest of the lawyers here. And now she faces a crappy crappy job market. Glad I skipped law school.
My story: Was pre-med in undergrad and loved it but found it very stressful and didn't like the quality of life I saw ahead (wanted to be a neurosurgeon). So ended up switching to History. Went to grad school for Latin American Studies and dropped out, went to grad school for US History and dropped out. Yes, I am a walking red flag as far as med school adcoms are concerned. I then had a baby (literally a couple weeks affter dropping out of grad school #2), he was born with 2 genetic disorders and when my mother nagged me for the millionth time, "tell me again, why is it you didn't become a doctor?" I finally listened. It's the only career I've ever had a passion for and I think I figured I'd do it someday when I quit the first time. The extremely low qaulity of life associated with motherhood taught me one can be miserable and happy at the same time. Becoming a mother and taking care of my sick son finally made me grow up and become responsible (thus my belief i will not drop out of med school like grad school) I knew I wasn't ready to become a doctor before. I'm ready now. My son being sick I guess I took as a sign or a reminder or something. He has sooo many doctors and they have soooo little bedside manner. I am looking forward to using my experiences as a patient to be a better doctor.
As an historian I researched the development problems in rural western PA created by deindustrialization. Now I'd like to go into rural medicine (shortage of doctors being one of the worst problems). I am from rural western PA, thus the interest. I've always been an activist, into helping people, etc. And I've always loved blood and body parts. so it was either doctor or... hmm, not going to think about that one anymore.
My story: Was pre-med in undergrad and loved it but found it very stressful and didn't like the quality of life I saw ahead (wanted to be a neurosurgeon). So ended up switching to History. Went to grad school for Latin American Studies and dropped out, went to grad school for US History and dropped out. Yes, I am a walking red flag as far as med school adcoms are concerned. I then had a baby (literally a couple weeks affter dropping out of grad school #2), he was born with 2 genetic disorders and when my mother nagged me for the millionth time, "tell me again, why is it you didn't become a doctor?" I finally listened. It's the only career I've ever had a passion for and I think I figured I'd do it someday when I quit the first time. The extremely low qaulity of life associated with motherhood taught me one can be miserable and happy at the same time. Becoming a mother and taking care of my sick son finally made me grow up and become responsible (thus my belief i will not drop out of med school like grad school) I knew I wasn't ready to become a doctor before. I'm ready now. My son being sick I guess I took as a sign or a reminder or something. He has sooo many doctors and they have soooo little bedside manner. I am looking forward to using my experiences as a patient to be a better doctor.
As an historian I researched the development problems in rural western PA created by deindustrialization. Now I'd like to go into rural medicine (shortage of doctors being one of the worst problems). I am from rural western PA, thus the interest. I've always been an activist, into helping people, etc. And I've always loved blood and body parts. so it was either doctor or... hmm, not going to think about that one anymore.
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Ugh, typed a response and firefox ate it. 😡
In short summary - toofscum, thanks for sharing. I see a lot of the same doubts in myself, at least in terms of wanting to be a well-rounded person and not being sure if medicine will allow that.
Law2Doc - very good point about staying positive. I'm not happy in my current job at all, but I fully plan to talk up what I have learned and what I've gotten out of the past 7 years in the field rather than discuss how much it sucks. 🙄
As for myself...my story is somewhat typical and somewhat not. It's typical in the sense that it's taken me a good long while to dig up the courage/confidence to pursue what I've always wanted to do. To weigh the sacrifices against career satisfaction and take the plunge. It's atypical in the sense that I have some factors that I'm not sure how to approach in my applications. They can either work for me or not. I'm the only child of a single mom, and I had a very unstable childhood; foster homes, moving, financial difficulties all took their toll. I also had a lot of amazing people trying to help me, but I'm afraid that I wasn't mature enough to take full advantage. They did manage to keep my head above water though. In any case, my undergrad experience was very difficult, and I didn't have a whole lot of confidence to take risks to begin with, so it's taken me pretty much the whole time since college to realize two things: #1: If I really want it and am willing to work as hard as I can at it, I can probably get most anything I want. #2: A good living and free-time aren't enough to make me happy.
I'll be taking pre-reqs for the next two years (all my previous credits have expired), and am looking to apply in the spring of 2007. I read medical textbooks for fun and it's time to do it for real. It's soooooooooooo scary though.
In short summary - toofscum, thanks for sharing. I see a lot of the same doubts in myself, at least in terms of wanting to be a well-rounded person and not being sure if medicine will allow that.
Law2Doc - very good point about staying positive. I'm not happy in my current job at all, but I fully plan to talk up what I have learned and what I've gotten out of the past 7 years in the field rather than discuss how much it sucks. 🙄
As for myself...my story is somewhat typical and somewhat not. It's typical in the sense that it's taken me a good long while to dig up the courage/confidence to pursue what I've always wanted to do. To weigh the sacrifices against career satisfaction and take the plunge. It's atypical in the sense that I have some factors that I'm not sure how to approach in my applications. They can either work for me or not. I'm the only child of a single mom, and I had a very unstable childhood; foster homes, moving, financial difficulties all took their toll. I also had a lot of amazing people trying to help me, but I'm afraid that I wasn't mature enough to take full advantage. They did manage to keep my head above water though. In any case, my undergrad experience was very difficult, and I didn't have a whole lot of confidence to take risks to begin with, so it's taken me pretty much the whole time since college to realize two things: #1: If I really want it and am willing to work as hard as I can at it, I can probably get most anything I want. #2: A good living and free-time aren't enough to make me happy.
I'll be taking pre-reqs for the next two years (all my previous credits have expired), and am looking to apply in the spring of 2007. I read medical textbooks for fun and it's time to do it for real. It's soooooooooooo scary though.
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exlawgrrl said:
Good look on that shout out!
I'm a 27 year old occupational therapist that has "always wanted to be a doctor". I had pets named Epinepherine and Dextrose, and I mangled my sister's dolls as "patients". I started college a little green (at age 16) and refused to spend my 20s in school followed by residency. So I looked into allied health as I entered school. I got into OT school at Utica College in Upstate NY, and did my degree thing. I did a rotation at Kessler right after Chistopher Reeve was there, and got to see the university health setting. I made the switch because I wanted more autonomy, responsibility, and application of science to health.
I took advantage of being a run-of-the-mill worker - I have traveled the world extensively, and have the requisite 401k, and even lived in Portugal for a year as a pro roller hockey player. When I came back from Europe in 2001, I started to take the missing science classes from my OT degree - orgo and such. I took the MCAT and applied last year.
I took the path I took by accident, but nothing could be more perfect. I applied at 17 places, and got interviews at 16 (curse Johns Hopkins!). I went on 8 interviews and was accepted at all 8. A few interviewers even thanked me for not "being another bio major"... I'd urge everyone to play up the experiences that they've had to the hilt during their application and interview process. You DO have insight that other, younger folks simply do not have. My interviews - every single one - were like conversations and were decidedly not stressful. And, yes, I do have a "stock" answer for "Why did you decide to do this", (just like the history that I've given you). What a ride!
And so here I sit, broke and jobeless like days of yore, a mere 60 hours from the beginning of medical school. Hope things work out for all!
And, by the way, OT is a great career!
dc
I worked in IT for 12 years before I decided to go back to school for optometry. I was never especially interested in medicine or the health professions when I was younger, I was always more interested in the pure sciences and technology. I just "woke up" one day in my 30s to realize what I liked about my job was working with people instead of machines, and that I wanted to do something that might make a difference in someone's life once in awhile instead of just making more money for the stockholders of my company.
I ended up discovering that optometry was the profession I wanted to go into, and with the support and encouragement of my husband I quit my IT job and went back to school in 2001 to finish the undergraduate pre-reqs I needed. I applied and was accepted to optometry school in 2003, and am about to start my 3rd year next week. 😀
It's a long road to get where we want to be, but the journey is enlightening, too. 🙂
I ended up discovering that optometry was the profession I wanted to go into, and with the support and encouragement of my husband I quit my IT job and went back to school in 2001 to finish the undergraduate pre-reqs I needed. I applied and was accepted to optometry school in 2003, and am about to start my 3rd year next week. 😀
It's a long road to get where we want to be, but the journey is enlightening, too. 🙂
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This is a really good thread. I am a dental student and one of my patients is a 36 yr old med student who is on his third career. He did the manhattan business thing, IT thing and a psych counsellor thing and finally decided to go into medicine. He seems very happy with his choice.
In my experience, non trads make very good doctors. Most of them even do really well in basic sciences since they are highly motivated, some have problems, dont do so hot, but still make very very good doctors... i mean heck, if you started the whole process at a "later" age, you must really want it.
Bottom line is, most schools are going to want you as students since they know the good success rates among non trads, as long as you have a true idea of what medicine is really like and still want to pursue it, you will actually be a couple of steps ahead than your generic "bio student" who did their 30 hours at the local ED and the summer research projects.
Best of luck to all of you.
In my experience, non trads make very good doctors. Most of them even do really well in basic sciences since they are highly motivated, some have problems, dont do so hot, but still make very very good doctors... i mean heck, if you started the whole process at a "later" age, you must really want it.
Bottom line is, most schools are going to want you as students since they know the good success rates among non trads, as long as you have a true idea of what medicine is really like and still want to pursue it, you will actually be a couple of steps ahead than your generic "bio student" who did their 30 hours at the local ED and the summer research projects.
Best of luck to all of you.
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bigdan said:
Man, I remember you from our MCAT days. Congratulations. I'm glad things went well for you!
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ExLawGirl, saw your profile. Looks like you have nothing to worry about, you should be able to go to med school anywhere you want!
I am currently in the Air Force and decided for sure that I wanted to switch to medicine a month ago. Like a lot of people I think I've been in denial about what I really wanted to do for a long time. I started out college on a physics scholarship and just couldn't imagine slogging through all those advanced physics classes. The first year was dry enough! I switched to biology and was fascinated by all my classes, but I was also going through an identity crisis between my interests and those of my ROTC unit. The Air Force pulled my scholarship when I switched because it has no need for biology majors, and I was generally made to feel that this biology degree would be wasted time as soon as I became an officer. I wanted to be successful in the military so I devoted a lot of energy to leadership extracurriculars. I got only the passing grades required to finish school and get my commission.
I've been in the AF for six years now and I have gotten to travel to almost every continent. I got a fully funded masters degree. I've had a great time and met lots of interesting people. I could almost do this my whole career. But not quite. Whenever I travel for work I gravitate toward the medical people. I love to hear their stories. When we go on humanitarian missions I envy the fact that our military doctors can actually do something to change the lives of the people they meet there. When I go to survey the foreign hospitals I never want to stick to security concerns and checking out their disaster plan. I want to hear about the exotic diseases and what kind of training the local doctors have. I feel more comfortable in a foreign, third world hospital than my own office.
I think medicine sometimes does run in families. My grandfather was a doctor, grandmother and dad nurses, mom a lab tech, sister a nursing student. There isn't a single person on my dad's side of the family who didn't at least start college a premed. The pressure to conform was subtle but ever-present. When I was 18, I couldn't stand the thought of doing what everyone else had done and wanted to be different. Now that I have to space to make my own decision I realize I have the same need to solve the puzzle of how the body works and set broken systems back to rights.
I will probably be 31 before I can start med school. My biology degree gave me all the prereqs I need, but will have to dig myself out of a 3.1 GPA and get a lot more clinical experience. The good part of starting school 9 years later than "normal" is that I will have the awesome support of my husband instead of the pressure to succeed from my parents and extended family I would have had at 22. Good luck to all in achieving your dream and I hope you are as fortunate to have a support structure built of time and experience!
I am currently in the Air Force and decided for sure that I wanted to switch to medicine a month ago. Like a lot of people I think I've been in denial about what I really wanted to do for a long time. I started out college on a physics scholarship and just couldn't imagine slogging through all those advanced physics classes. The first year was dry enough! I switched to biology and was fascinated by all my classes, but I was also going through an identity crisis between my interests and those of my ROTC unit. The Air Force pulled my scholarship when I switched because it has no need for biology majors, and I was generally made to feel that this biology degree would be wasted time as soon as I became an officer. I wanted to be successful in the military so I devoted a lot of energy to leadership extracurriculars. I got only the passing grades required to finish school and get my commission.
I've been in the AF for six years now and I have gotten to travel to almost every continent. I got a fully funded masters degree. I've had a great time and met lots of interesting people. I could almost do this my whole career. But not quite. Whenever I travel for work I gravitate toward the medical people. I love to hear their stories. When we go on humanitarian missions I envy the fact that our military doctors can actually do something to change the lives of the people they meet there. When I go to survey the foreign hospitals I never want to stick to security concerns and checking out their disaster plan. I want to hear about the exotic diseases and what kind of training the local doctors have. I feel more comfortable in a foreign, third world hospital than my own office.
I think medicine sometimes does run in families. My grandfather was a doctor, grandmother and dad nurses, mom a lab tech, sister a nursing student. There isn't a single person on my dad's side of the family who didn't at least start college a premed. The pressure to conform was subtle but ever-present. When I was 18, I couldn't stand the thought of doing what everyone else had done and wanted to be different. Now that I have to space to make my own decision I realize I have the same need to solve the puzzle of how the body works and set broken systems back to rights.
I will probably be 31 before I can start med school. My biology degree gave me all the prereqs I need, but will have to dig myself out of a 3.1 GPA and get a lot more clinical experience. The good part of starting school 9 years later than "normal" is that I will have the awesome support of my husband instead of the pressure to succeed from my parents and extended family I would have had at 22. Good luck to all in achieving your dream and I hope you are as fortunate to have a support structure built of time and experience!
M
MaryWrathers
One of my many reasons:
I changed my path slightly for many reasons. Too many to list here, but here are some: prescription rights, better compensation for time spent in school, less red tape for conducting research if desired, able to teach higher ed if desired, stable career, many employment opportunities, pay raises, exciting and satisfying environment, rigorously learn an extensive amount of info., less paperwork, less carpel tunnel, and of course helping people. Good thing is you can delegate the paperwork to the Techs and Nurses.
I changed my path slightly for many reasons. Too many to list here, but here are some: prescription rights, better compensation for time spent in school, less red tape for conducting research if desired, able to teach higher ed if desired, stable career, many employment opportunities, pay raises, exciting and satisfying environment, rigorously learn an extensive amount of info., less paperwork, less carpel tunnel, and of course helping people. Good thing is you can delegate the paperwork to the Techs and Nurses.
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mev said:
I'm in the Air Force and applying now. What class are you applying to?
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I thought about medicine in high school but believed that only wealthy people, those with connections and/or parents as doctors got to be doctors. So, I never pursued it until I was working as a research bioengineer surrounded by PhDs, MDs, DOs, undergrads, nurses and more. I enjoyed being an engineer but really wanted to be on the other side of the bench, so to speak. I started interrogating everyone in the hospital...after meeting so many with similar backgrounds to mine I realized that medicine really is an option for anyone ho is willing to work for it. I also have an extremely supportive hubby who just wants me to be happy. His support really helped me to make the switch. So, with any luck I'll be another early 30s med student.
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MoosePilot said:
Wanted to apply in 2006 to enter in 2007, but hit a snag in the plan. I'm going to be deployed until May 06, so I won't be able to take the MCAT in April. Also, I got a D in one quarter of physics back in college 😳 I have to retake it, but had to withdraw from the class here because of the deployment. Between a late MCAT and a class to make up, I don't think there's much point in hitting the application pool next year. I'm thinking to apply in 2007 and enter in 2008.
Are you applying to USUHS? I like the military and wouldn't mind getting paid and having mil benefits while in school. A little worried military medicine is dysfunctional, but then my career field isn't perfect either. I think the only thing that would change my mind is getting into my state school, University of Washington -- haha! Probably looking at USUHS.
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mev said:
Yes, USUHS is extremely attractive. I'm looking at a number of schools, though. Which ones return my interest is going to be a big factor.
DoctorC++ said:
I like that response! Straight to the point 🙂 I wanted to thank everyone who responded to this thread. I read the responses almost everyday. Each and every response was really encouraged me and made me think. I am really glad that I joined this website and found you all. I wish you all the best of luck in whatever it is you ultimately decide to do.
