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celeste
Student
Andover, Massachusetts
1
Question
Updated
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How do I find the career that best suits me?
How do I find the career that best suits me? I want to go into premed but I'm not sure if it is right for me. How can I see if its right for me?
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8 answers
Tracy Nguyen
4th year student at GSU
3
Answers
Lilburn, Georgia
Updated
Tracy’s Answer
Hi Celeste,
I don't know if you are a high school student or an incoming college student recently. Anyways, I think you should focus on your study, especially on those prerequisite courses during the first two years of college because those courses would help you figure out which one that fits you the most not only for your interests but also for your career. As a result, you could claim your major as undeclared or change major if you still don't know which career pathway you want to pursue but be mindful don't let it slide to your junior year. For the pre-med major, you should figure out which career pathway that you want to pursue such as a doctor, a nurse, a pharmacist, a dentist, and many more since this is a broad major. Additionally, you should be acknowledged that this pathway makes you spend a ton of time studying and researching from the undergrad to a certified career, and cannot drop out halfway so think about it carefully. Otherwise, you could get involved in some workshops at school to get some perspectives and hands-on experiences on this major such as CPR training, American Red Cross organization, etc. Finally, just explore everything and you would know which one is best for you after all. Good luck!
I don't know if you are a high school student or an incoming college student recently. Anyways, I think you should focus on your study, especially on those prerequisite courses during the first two years of college because those courses would help you figure out which one that fits you the most not only for your interests but also for your career. As a result, you could claim your major as undeclared or change major if you still don't know which career pathway you want to pursue but be mindful don't let it slide to your junior year. For the pre-med major, you should figure out which career pathway that you want to pursue such as a doctor, a nurse, a pharmacist, a dentist, and many more since this is a broad major. Additionally, you should be acknowledged that this pathway makes you spend a ton of time studying and researching from the undergrad to a certified career, and cannot drop out halfway so think about it carefully. Otherwise, you could get involved in some workshops at school to get some perspectives and hands-on experiences on this major such as CPR training, American Red Cross organization, etc. Finally, just explore everything and you would know which one is best for you after all. Good luck!
Megan McCoy
Career Coach
140
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi Celeste!
The best advice I have for you is to get experience. A job shadow, volunteer, part-time job, internship, etc. Whatever way you can learn more about working in the medical field- do it! See if your school has any classes or a career center with medical classes. See if there are any hospitals that put on student events where you can job shadow or see what it is like working in a hospital. See if you can volunteer at the hospital or get a part-time job. You can become a certified nursing assistant at 18 with just a few weeks of training. Sometimes schools offer programs where you can become a CNA or paramedic before graduating high school. This is not only a great way to explore the healthcare field but to make money while in college.
Do everything you can to explore and make sure this is the right fit for you. There are so many options for medical careers.
I hope this helps!
The best advice I have for you is to get experience. A job shadow, volunteer, part-time job, internship, etc. Whatever way you can learn more about working in the medical field- do it! See if your school has any classes or a career center with medical classes. See if there are any hospitals that put on student events where you can job shadow or see what it is like working in a hospital. See if you can volunteer at the hospital or get a part-time job. You can become a certified nursing assistant at 18 with just a few weeks of training. Sometimes schools offer programs where you can become a CNA or paramedic before graduating high school. This is not only a great way to explore the healthcare field but to make money while in college.
Do everything you can to explore and make sure this is the right fit for you. There are so many options for medical careers.
I hope this helps!
PwC Impact
419
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
Try to take a local CPR or first aid course to get a feel for whether medical care is for you.
Diya Dwarakanath
Science & Engineering Writer, ex-Sr R&D Engineer
11
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Diya’s Answer
Hi Celeste,
Great question. I agree with Megan that gaining experience is the best way to find out. Many colleges have high school programs to get students involved. See links below. Also look for programs through the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) which may be more affordable.
1. https://www.inspiraadvantage.com/blog/top-15-pre-med-summer-programs
2. https://scholarships360.org/college-admissions/medical-internships-for-high-school-students/
If you’re in college already, join the PreMed or Medicine related student clubs to hear about events and resources. Find ways to volunteer at a hospital or health clinic.
Here are a few next steps I suggest:
Reflect and write down why you’re interested in pre med. What are the pros and cons? What makes you doubt it?
Find 2-3 people in the medical field and ask them what it’s like. Tell them why you’re interested and what doubts you have. Gather & write down their feedback.
Search for opportunities to do hands-on work in the field
Research various career paths and see what you like: - Nurse, biomedical engineer, surgeon, doctor, oncologist
Great question. I agree with Megan that gaining experience is the best way to find out. Many colleges have high school programs to get students involved. See links below. Also look for programs through the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) which may be more affordable.
1. https://www.inspiraadvantage.com/blog/top-15-pre-med-summer-programs
2. https://scholarships360.org/college-admissions/medical-internships-for-high-school-students/
If you’re in college already, join the PreMed or Medicine related student clubs to hear about events and resources. Find ways to volunteer at a hospital or health clinic.
Here are a few next steps I suggest:
Diya recommends the following next steps:
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
510
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Talk with people who have walked the path you are considering. Ask about their likes, dislikes and what they wish they had known before going into the field.
You can learn much from the journey of others. Good look finding your path.
You can learn much from the journey of others. Good look finding your path.
Molly Hollingsworth
HR Clerk
80
Answers
Coppell, Texas
Updated
Molly’s Answer
Hello Celeste!
This is a great question! Simply answered, I would recommend to step your foot into multiple areas. If you find that what you are currently in or studying does not satisfy and appeal to what you want to do in the future, then you can easily shift away from that one area and focus in another. In college, I knew that I wanted to focus my studies in general business. However, that is all I knew. After focusing my studies in multiple areas of business, I found my way into Human Resources where I currently am working in today. I received my MBA focusing specifically in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, and currently have a position as an Human Resources Administrator for a Sam's Club distribution and fulfillment center. You will never know what you like until you dip your foot in the water and tread through several areas!
Dimply put, you do not have to settle on the first major that you decide. You never know what you'll find until you step your foot out there and test the waters!
Though I spoke highly about choosing the correct major for you, this can be related to your designated career as well. If you find that what you are doing now does not make you feel satisfied, you can always figure out what you want to do by going through the same process and testing your foot in different waters.
I hope this helped, and good luck in your endeavors!
Thank You
Molly H.
This is a great question! Simply answered, I would recommend to step your foot into multiple areas. If you find that what you are currently in or studying does not satisfy and appeal to what you want to do in the future, then you can easily shift away from that one area and focus in another. In college, I knew that I wanted to focus my studies in general business. However, that is all I knew. After focusing my studies in multiple areas of business, I found my way into Human Resources where I currently am working in today. I received my MBA focusing specifically in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, and currently have a position as an Human Resources Administrator for a Sam's Club distribution and fulfillment center. You will never know what you like until you dip your foot in the water and tread through several areas!
Dimply put, you do not have to settle on the first major that you decide. You never know what you'll find until you step your foot out there and test the waters!
Though I spoke highly about choosing the correct major for you, this can be related to your designated career as well. If you find that what you are doing now does not make you feel satisfied, you can always figure out what you want to do by going through the same process and testing your foot in different waters.
I hope this helped, and good luck in your endeavors!
Thank You
Molly H.
Katie Ko
10
Answers
East Brunswick, New Jersey
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Hi Celeste!
What I found helpful when trying to decide what career path I should study is lots of research! There are many pros and cons to each career path and usually, the pros can outweigh the cons on the surface. It is important to watch youtube videos about people working in the field you want to pursue a career in (in your case, premed), look up articles about people's experiences, and even reaching out to those who work in the field and asking them questions. Even when knowing the cons and the true hardship of the career, if you believe that those truly outweigh the pros, you should go for it!
What I found helpful when trying to decide what career path I should study is lots of research! There are many pros and cons to each career path and usually, the pros can outweigh the cons on the surface. It is important to watch youtube videos about people working in the field you want to pursue a career in (in your case, premed), look up articles about people's experiences, and even reaching out to those who work in the field and asking them questions. Even when knowing the cons and the true hardship of the career, if you believe that those truly outweigh the pros, you should go for it!
Alan Weber
writer and retired teacher, teacher educator and academic advisor
207
Answers
Woodstock, New York
Updated
Alan’s Answer
First of all, I strongly disagree with the advice you received on here that if you don't know that Pre-Med is for you then it probably isn't. You're young and there's absolutely no reason that you should be absolutely sure at this point what career path to follow. The fact that you have a strong inkling is a good thing. Frankly, so is confusion, it's the impetus to seek clarification. There are surveys you can take, such as those on MyPlan.com and offered by counselors, that can help you start to narrow your options based on your interests, needs and values. You can talk to practitioners in various fields of potential interest and/or discipline-specific advisors at the college you plan on attending. But you have a strong starting point: pre-med. If you didn't have doubts you wouldn't be human, you'd be clairvoyant. Many people in the field already have doubts. Your question is really very simply answered. Start taking biology and anatomy classes and go from there. Unless there's something you're not saying about why you're unsure if it's right for you, like you faint at the sight of blood, then for now pre-med it is and should be. Take it from someone who has done academic advisement. Good luck, Dr. Celeste.