2 answers
Emily
Student
Camden, Michigan
1
Question
Asked
895 views
What should I do after high school/ college?
I have no idea what I want to do for a career. I am interested in many things and I have had a couple ideas, but when I think about it, it is not something I want to do my whole life. I love math, anatomy/physiology, and art. Right now I am most interested in nursing, but I'm not 100% sure that that's what I want to do for the rest of my life.
#nursing #math #anatomy #art
Login to comment
2 answers
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
239
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Emily
Good for you to be thinking about your future. Your questions is almost impossible for a stranger to answer, but I'll try. You don't say where you are in high school, so that makes a big difference if you are applying to colleges this year or in 3 years. If your school or local library has a career center, I'd start there to research careers that fit your interests. Nursing is a great profession (my mother was a registered nurse), but it is a commitment of time, energy and money.
One thing to keep in mind, most high school students aren't sure what they want to do, either. Many students really decide when they get to college and they have to pick a major. So it seems that you ahead of the game and have narrowed down your choices already: you have an interest in science, in helping people, in healthcare, and in art, so I would start with these interests and develop them through after school clubs, volunteer work, and part time jobs.
One field you might investigate is the field of Art Therapy, which combines healthcare and art. It is a relatively new field, but Mrs Pence, the wife of our vice president, is an art therapist, so it is getting more attention these days. Art Therapists work with children and adults and use art to help them deal and explore psychological issues in their lives. Art Therapists work in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, other healthcare facilities, and in private practice.
I hope this helps. Best wishes!
Good for you to be thinking about your future. Your questions is almost impossible for a stranger to answer, but I'll try. You don't say where you are in high school, so that makes a big difference if you are applying to colleges this year or in 3 years. If your school or local library has a career center, I'd start there to research careers that fit your interests. Nursing is a great profession (my mother was a registered nurse), but it is a commitment of time, energy and money.
One thing to keep in mind, most high school students aren't sure what they want to do, either. Many students really decide when they get to college and they have to pick a major. So it seems that you ahead of the game and have narrowed down your choices already: you have an interest in science, in helping people, in healthcare, and in art, so I would start with these interests and develop them through after school clubs, volunteer work, and part time jobs.
One field you might investigate is the field of Art Therapy, which combines healthcare and art. It is a relatively new field, but Mrs Pence, the wife of our vice president, is an art therapist, so it is getting more attention these days. Art Therapists work with children and adults and use art to help them deal and explore psychological issues in their lives. Art Therapists work in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, other healthcare facilities, and in private practice.
I hope this helps. Best wishes!
Douglas Lemmo, P.E.
Consultant, Owner at Power Generation Consulting Services
132
Answers
Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Updated
Douglas’s Answer
HI,
The first thing is do not overthink the decision, it is very important as are most big decisions, but it is not life or death. You say you are most interested in Nursing, a wonderful profession but, like all professions there are many aspects or branches of nursing. Have you explored all branches of nursing? Have you volunteered to work in a hospital or nursing home to see what the various branches of nursing are? Some people really like working in an emergency room, others hate it (too much blood) but love working with children. You get the idea. If after really exploring nursing it may no longer appeal to you or you may decide it is something to look into further. If not, what is next on your list to explore? You say you like math - what about being an engineer. Engineers design medical devices among millions of other things. In my opinion, most people do not know 100% what they are going to do for the rest of their life. All you can do is make a serious effort at researching a field you like and go for it. I knew absolutely noting about the field I went into, but the more I learned about it the more I like it. You may also find that after spending several years in an area that you don't like it, you can make the change to the field you have decided you do like (not always easy but not impossible).
Do the best you can researching/selecting a field and then work at it. Trust your initial instincts - they are often right.
Good Luck, hope this helps.
Doug
The first thing is do not overthink the decision, it is very important as are most big decisions, but it is not life or death. You say you are most interested in Nursing, a wonderful profession but, like all professions there are many aspects or branches of nursing. Have you explored all branches of nursing? Have you volunteered to work in a hospital or nursing home to see what the various branches of nursing are? Some people really like working in an emergency room, others hate it (too much blood) but love working with children. You get the idea. If after really exploring nursing it may no longer appeal to you or you may decide it is something to look into further. If not, what is next on your list to explore? You say you like math - what about being an engineer. Engineers design medical devices among millions of other things. In my opinion, most people do not know 100% what they are going to do for the rest of their life. All you can do is make a serious effort at researching a field you like and go for it. I knew absolutely noting about the field I went into, but the more I learned about it the more I like it. You may also find that after spending several years in an area that you don't like it, you can make the change to the field you have decided you do like (not always easy but not impossible).
Do the best you can researching/selecting a field and then work at it. Trust your initial instincts - they are often right.
Good Luck, hope this helps.
Doug