5 answers
Voilet
Student
Columbia, South Carolina
2
Questions
Updated
1072 views
Life beyond high-school
Life beyond high-school
I am currently a junior in high-school and they weren't lying when they said junior year would be a tough year. It's not too, too, bad but ap biology is kicking my behind right now. On top of that I'm not sure of what I would like to do after high-school. I know that I'm going to the army reserves but for college I'm very undecided. I am strongly thinking the medical field but I'm undecided which specialty. Before I wanted to be a pediatrician, I love kids but do I want to make it a profession taking care of kids? Im not sure myself. I'm more interested in behavior and the mind(minus surgery). I was thinking psychiatry, but even then I'm not too sure. I think i may need one on one shadowing with individuals in these fields before deciding on a decision. Any advice for me will be greatly appreciated.
5 answers
Morgan Adams
Healthcare Administration
27
Answers
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
Hello,
As a junior in high school, I would recommend shadowing to see what interest you. Reach out to your local hospital or speak with your guidance counselor about shadowing opportunities or even volunteering. If you are looking into the healthcare field I highly recommend testing the waters before fully committing. Try getting your CNAs, that is a great place to start to see if patient care is something you are even interested in. If possible, take a few classes with your local community college before applying to a university or larger college. Best of luck!
As a junior in high school, I would recommend shadowing to see what interest you. Reach out to your local hospital or speak with your guidance counselor about shadowing opportunities or even volunteering. If you are looking into the healthcare field I highly recommend testing the waters before fully committing. Try getting your CNAs, that is a great place to start to see if patient care is something you are even interested in. If possible, take a few classes with your local community college before applying to a university or larger college. Best of luck!
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Voilet
Larry Helm
Consulting Manager
1
Answer
Independence, Missouri
Updated
Larry’s Answer
The previous advice is really great. As a high school junior, you have so many opportunities ahead. Don't feel like you have to choose just one path. Explore different interests. The military is a great option that offers free training in various fields and won't leave you with student debt. Plus, the GI Bill can help pay for college.
Try not to limit your career choices now. If you want to help others, there are many ways to do so. The medical field is one option, but it requires a lot of time and can be challenging for work-life balance.
Consider other careers like teaching, social work, firefighting, or being an EMT.
Remember, keep your options open and enjoy the journey. You don't have to decide everything now, and you can always change your path later. Hope this helps!
Try not to limit your career choices now. If you want to help others, there are many ways to do so. The medical field is one option, but it requires a lot of time and can be challenging for work-life balance.
Consider other careers like teaching, social work, firefighting, or being an EMT.
Remember, keep your options open and enjoy the journey. You don't have to decide everything now, and you can always change your path later. Hope this helps!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Voilet
Joseph Ford
221
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Actually, you answered your own question. First thank you for representing the USA military service. The Service will be able to provide you with many opportunities and allow you to do Side by Side in the subjects you mentioned. After you are done with the Service or if you plan to continue you may have a better ideal of which subject matter provides you with the most joy and interest. Always remember you can be flexible when your young. :-)
Thank you for the advice, Joseph.
Voilet
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Voilet. Since you're interested in the medical field, it's a good idea to start by learning as much as you can about different specialties. You mentioned an interest in behavior and the mind, which could point you toward fields like psychiatry, psychology, or other mental health careers. One helpful approach is shadowing professionals in those areas. Spending time with doctors, psychiatrists, or psychologists can give you a realistic view of what their day-to-day work looks like. This experience will help you understand whether you would enjoy the work. It will also give you a chance to ask questions and learn about the challenges.
It's also important to think about what you enjoy and what motivates you. Loving kids doesn't necessarily mean you have to work with children every day. Sometimes interests evolve, and it's ok to explore other paths that match your strengths and passions. For example, if you're fascinated by human behavior and the mind, there are many ways to study and help people without focusing on surgery or pediatrics. College can be a place to explore these interests further through classes, research opportunities, and clubs related to psychology, neuroscience, or healthcare.
Wishing you all the best.
It's also important to think about what you enjoy and what motivates you. Loving kids doesn't necessarily mean you have to work with children every day. Sometimes interests evolve, and it's ok to explore other paths that match your strengths and passions. For example, if you're fascinated by human behavior and the mind, there are many ways to study and help people without focusing on surgery or pediatrics. College can be a place to explore these interests further through classes, research opportunities, and clubs related to psychology, neuroscience, or healthcare.
Wishing you all the best.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Violet,
It is great that you have identified an interest in the medical field and in human behavior. Take some time to explore different medical careers, those that require an MD/DO and those that don't. Find some opportunities to shadow medical professionals on different career paths and aim to volunteer and/or do internships in medical settings.
If you want to become a pediatrician or a psychiatrist, you need to go to medical school. You'll need to earn a bachelors degree first (4 years), pass a range of pre-requisite courses and take the MCAT before you can apply to medical school. If you get accepted into medical school (4 years), the first 2 years are class-room work. In the last 2 years you'll do clinical rotations through different specialties. It is only in your residency that you specialize in a particular field. No need to decide now what kind of doctor you want to be.
You might also be interested in the nursing field. You need to earn at least am associates, but better a bachelors degree to become a registered nurse. You can then decide if you want to start working or if you want to seek out a higher qualification and get a masters and/or a doctorate. You can also earn certificates to specialize.
Other options that might be interesting to you are nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, midwife, radiologic technologist or physician assistant. I left some links for you below for more information about these professions.
Since you are interested in behavior and the mind, becoming a psychologist might suit you as well. To become a psychologist, you need to earn a bachelors, masters and PhD in psychology.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/
https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide
It is great that you have identified an interest in the medical field and in human behavior. Take some time to explore different medical careers, those that require an MD/DO and those that don't. Find some opportunities to shadow medical professionals on different career paths and aim to volunteer and/or do internships in medical settings.
If you want to become a pediatrician or a psychiatrist, you need to go to medical school. You'll need to earn a bachelors degree first (4 years), pass a range of pre-requisite courses and take the MCAT before you can apply to medical school. If you get accepted into medical school (4 years), the first 2 years are class-room work. In the last 2 years you'll do clinical rotations through different specialties. It is only in your residency that you specialize in a particular field. No need to decide now what kind of doctor you want to be.
You might also be interested in the nursing field. You need to earn at least am associates, but better a bachelors degree to become a registered nurse. You can then decide if you want to start working or if you want to seek out a higher qualification and get a masters and/or a doctorate. You can also earn certificates to specialize.
Other options that might be interesting to you are nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, midwife, radiologic technologist or physician assistant. I left some links for you below for more information about these professions.
Since you are interested in behavior and the mind, becoming a psychologist might suit you as well. To become a psychologist, you need to earn a bachelors, masters and PhD in psychology.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Delete Comment
Flag Comment