How many of you just knew what career...

TheCenturion said:
Well, if I said to you right now that I want to study medicine, then there's no denying it. I want to study medicine. If however, after a few years into the job I hate it, then it's only at that point that I would no longer want it.
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But why do you want to study medicine? What is it about that profession that's so much better than say... research scientist, or binman? It's not just a case of picking something and thinking "That'll do." which is all you're really doing when you're young; you have no real experience of the things you know you'll definitively be happy or unhappy doing. Even at 24 and with a whole lifetime between us, I've still barely scratched the surface.

By all means, go study medicine, but don't be shocked if it turns out you made a mistake and you don't enjoy it. If however, you do love it, you're fortunate in that you managed to fall into something the quick and easy way.
 
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Yeah, applied for a access to med course. Means an extra year, but really the one way I could venture into that career. Hopefully my current experience will look good enough!
Thanks, and to you!
 
cm1179 said:
massive understatement
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Only gets quicker though. The difference is, when you're 16 you've got time on your side. Mid 20s, you're supposed to have started to get your act together. By 30, women's clocks are ticking and they want kids.

24 isn't old, no. But it isn't young either. It's all relative I guess. Personally, I still think I've got youth on my side, so sod it. Off I go to do something weird.
 
Nix said:
Mid 20s, you're supposed to have started to get your act together..
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says who? it's better to take your time and only do something if your hearts in it. you're only here once, don't do something because you feel at your age you should. that attitude has a lot to answer for!
 
i'm in same situation and still struggling to know what i want to do long term. i have a decent job but i don't enjoy it. i begun researching job profiles and really asking myself some serious questions like

do i like to work indoor or outdoor?

do i like routine or variety?

do i like working alone or interacting with poeple?

do i like practically doing things or mental paper work?

do i like technology or physcology or...?

and so on....



you could make a list of hundred things like this and come up with an answer but it will come with strings attached with good and bad sides to it.
 
I'm 26, and it appears that my job is, after a lot of upheaval and stuff in the last year, turning into a career. It's just sort of happened.

It's not the career I ever imagined, but really... I didn't imagine any particular career, apart from graphics for a while but I quickly went off that idea after doing the job a couple of years. I was never very good at it anyway - I was only ever going to be a Mac Operator, as opposed to a proper designer. I was ok at design but didn't really have the flair or enthusiasm for it to make a proper go of it. I only ever would have been average if I was lucky, by my standards.

But as of now, it appears this is going to be my career, and I'm glad. It's not what I had in mind (retail management) but if I'm honest with myself, I really enjoy it and I think it suits me well. I Never had that with a job previously, never felt settled, but I do now. So I'm more than happy. It might not play out in the long run but I reckon it will.
 
cm1179 said:
says who? it's better to take your time and only do something if your hearts in it. you're only here once, don't do something because you feel at your age you should. that attitude has a lot to answer for!
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Cold hard reality.

I don't wish to be living at home with my parents in my 30s. Nor do I want to be unable to support a family when a woman suddenly sinks her claws into me.

That said, I agree with you. I'm doing what I want and not letting the clock bother me. Nothing lasts forever anyway.
 
Nix said:
But why do you want to study medicine? It's not just a case of picking something and thinking "That'll do." which is all you're really doing when you're young; you have no real experience of the things you know you'll definitively be happy or unhappy doing. Even at 24 and with a whole lifetime between us, I've still barely scratched the surface.

By all means, go study medicine, but don't be shocked if it turns out you made a mistake and you don't enjoy it. If however, you do love it, you're fortunate in that you managed to fall into something the quick and easy way.
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In my life, I've never really liked doing a standard office job, so working in a hospital would appeal to me. It's a much more dynamic place, than an office.

There were loads of things that I could have done at A level - Latin, History, German, French, Philosophy, Economics, and still get pretty good grades, but I chose the subjects I enjoyed most and coincidentally ended up going down the maths sciences route. (note: I'm NOT blowing my own horn here. I'm simply justifying my decision to want to do medicine)

I'm really fascinated by the human body (It's a cliché:p)

Medicine is an ever evolving field, there's new discoveries being made, new procedures replace old ones etc. It's an everchanging career path.

Medicine offers structure as well as 'flexibility'. When I say flexibility, I suppose it's not really the right word to use. What I mean is that it's not a 9-5 job. It involves working at all sorts of hours, weekends, national holidays etc. When I mean is that it's not a standard routine.

Not only that, but it's one of the most challenging scientific career paths. I'm a man of science, and want to take up this challenge.

Oh, and I think I'd look awesome in scrubs or in a white coat (This is the MOST important reason)
 
So through a series of events and odd experiences in your life, you've established this ideal you wish to pursue?

Go for it. But please remember, what you have in your head and what you may end up doing really are two different things. As I said earlier, you may enjoy it (or even learn to), and if that's the case you've won the game.

Anyway, I've got to go back to meandering around aimlessly (I'm filling out a job application).

I'm honestly not trying to shoot you down Anant. I just want you to realise you will not ever possibly have absolute answers to these sort of questions, which is why I distrust those who claim to do so. You have a guide, an idea, not an answer.
 
Yes mate, I've got a few forms sitting on my desk to fill out for work exp application :D

Nix said:
I'm honestly not trying to shoot you down Anant. I just want you to realise you will not ever possibly have absolute answers to these sort of questions, which is why I distrust those who claim to do so. You have a guide, an idea, not an answer.
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Absolutely Nix. I 100% agree with you. Because what people 'want' is something that they don't have. However, they cannot know whether they want it until they get it.

I do have an idea, however, now is the time to decide, I have to apply for uni in a year. If I only have an idea, and not a sure answer, then I'll probably come short of the bar. The admissions tutors will think: "this guy's unsure about what he wants to do. He's not 100% dedicated etc."

Then it'd be 4 rejections for me :o
 
Getting ideas eh? ;)

I'm currently involved in the school community service programme. I've got two forms for two different hospitals. There's a fair few GP surgeries near me, but they don't accept w/e :(

Oh, and I've got a placement with the Lancet, which should be interesting :)
 
Lancet should be very interesting!

Well, I've been a Coastguard Search & Rescue Officer for 2 and a half years
and an Ambulance first responder for over a year (more responsibility than mainland though, due to location)

I've got some weekends on the biggest island with paramedics, and a few weekends on the mainland 3rd manning in an ambulance in a few cities

Also got some work experience planned in the new year at a near by hospital. Considering volunteering for a few weekends at a care home as well, just to bolster the "caring" side, as I think my medical side is pretty good
 
Sounds really good, you've got a very solid application. I'm not entirely sure, but in general, I think universities are just trying to find out:

Can this person cope with the course?
Do they have the drive and determination to succeed?
Do they have the scientific skills to be a competent doctor?
Do they have the personality to be a competent doctor?

I think some hospitals even offer volunteering, have you checked if your local ones do?
 
I wanted to do medicine since I was about 15 or 16. I started medical school in september (I'm 21 now) having completed my Biomedical Science degree this summer. Mission success.

I also worked in a hospital since I was 18 as a healthcare assistant / auxiliary nurse and it's definitely the career for me.
 
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