So i’ll be honest, I have no idea what I want to do. I guess that’s kind of a lie because I would love to work with languages and be a translator and try to shoot for working at a big company in China, Japan, or Korea for business. I know it’s not as easy to do that so at the very least I would like to work at a company and be their translator. I’m a little confused with my options though. I plan to major in Global studies and plan to take courses in modern language studies, possibly political science as well. I plan to specialize in Asia. We also have to specialize in 2 global issue areas and these are the options: Foreign Policy, Global Conflict and Cooperation, International Law and Human Rights, Global Political Economy and Development, and Gender in Global Perspective. Not sure which 2 I should do so maybe if anyone has information on them as well as what career I could get out of it that would be great. I know I should ultimately discuss with my college adviser on what path could work for me but I just want to get some ideas of possible careers for me. It’s not official as I still need to do some more research but I would like to get into forensic pathology. So med school would be after I get my undergrad. I’m still thinking about whether I would actually like it or I just like the idea of it due to watching lots of crime shows. Maybe I can ask my counselor if she knows any places I can maybe shadow doctors and see what kind of doctor I would like to be. I feel a little stressed because schools always expect us to know what we want to do by graduation and it’s like I’m still trying to figure out what I’m good at as well as wanting to just try several different careers. I’m also into baking lol but don’t plan to make that a career. Some advice on possible careers and routes I could go would be very helpful. My counselor and AVID teacher aren’t as helpful unless the career is a teacher or doctor.
It’s unlikely that you can shadow a doctor while in high school, but you can always ask.
Med schools do not care what you majored in, or which classes you took related to that major. They care about the med school pre-reqs, as well as your overall GPA, your MCAT score, specific volunteer work once you’re in college, etc.
Once you get to college, meet with the pre-med/pre-health advisor, and also go to the career center and ask them for resources that can help you figure out which careers might suit you. For now, you can use the What Color Is My Parachute books - the student version - available in most libraries.
You don’t need to know what you want to do by high school graduation. In fact many people start college with an undeclared major. As you go along things hopefully gradually become more clear as to your desired direction. You will need to get really good at an Asian language to be a translator. Your college will not only have academic advising, but is also likely to have a career center where you can also do some exploring of career options related to your interests. For now, focus on finishing high school as well as you can.
You’re still in hs? Get to college and see what intrigues you and that you do well in. Your current ideas are too diverse. In general, ok not to know yet, so explore. But don’t get fixated at this point. Try various ECs related to your ideas. Do you have activities related to any of these? Serious ECs? And the rigor and grades in the related areas?
The only thing that helps with being a translator is that I am taking AP Chinese and learning Japanese and Korean at home. As for medical, I took Anatomy for junior year but I didn’t have much room in my schedule for senior year for more med classes. I am unable to do other extra things like volunteer/shadow work for doctors. I know I shouldn’t stress too much on it but my AVID teacher really gets on me about what I want to do. As well as my counselor who is in charge of AVID students. I know I definitely want to try and pursue translating. With getting into the medical field, I am a little worried that I only like the idea of it instead of actually wanting to take on all the hard work that comes with it.
Don’t worry about taking medical classes in HS>…take sciences, math and english. Those are the pre-med classes you need to take. Maybe you can get involved in medical translation. or become a doctor in a diverse area.