Hello everyone! New collegeconfidential person here. So I’m a senior at a US public high school and am currently in the college application process
My problem: Is Biomedical Laboratory Science major worth it?
I’ve been highly invested in biomed lab for the past four years, competing and researching, but what I’ve come to realize is that I’m really not fit for this field. Don’t get me wrong–I love researching, otherwise I wouldn’t have committed to it–but my future seems to be closing in on me if I continue this path. I either do research and spend decades in the laboratory in the hopes of making some grand discovery or contribution and crossing my fingers I don’t end up with a bad PI, or streamline into the medical field, which I am lukewarm about. Teaching is a no go for me, and governmental agencies don’t really excite me. I enjoy research but, ironically, not the institutions surrounding it.
I find it very difficult to renounce everything I’ve done on college applications for fields I’ve never even explored. I also don’t want to be the person that constantly switch their major in college.
Obviously I haven’t seen every aspect of the field, and so what other options are out there? I would love to know.
I don’t know enough about the field to give you advice but PLEASE don’t worry about switching majors while in college. My D is a freshman and I think so far might be one of the few people she knows who has NOT changed majors. Some of her friends have changed multiple times and some are still undecided. Her roommate changed majors the first week of school after doing some research over the summer. Actually, if your experience shows you that you DON’T like something, then I consider that great news. Better to find out now, rather than later. BUT, even if you do find out later, that’s fine too. It’s fine to change career courses as you learn more about your options and your interests.
Though mu D felt somewhat certain regarding her career choice entering college, she chose a school that offered flexibility in changing majors just in case. At this point she hasn’t taken enough classes or learned enough about her chosen major to make a decision one way or another but if she wanted to change, we’d encourage her to. Many people change career paths several times throughout their lives. The decision is not set in stone at any point in time!
Thank you for the quick reply! Honestly I think what’s scary for me is starting over and figuring out what I need to do. Although a very hard question to answer, I still want to ask: how do you figure out what you want to do in the end?
Your past experiences will always inform your future choices. You will “start over” throughout your life. Don’t be afraid of it. (Besides, not “starting over” means you are choosing to continue doing something you are certain you do not enjoy.) What about biomedical engineering for something less lab oriented? Talk to the people around you, now and when you get to college. The more you know, as they say.
It’s great that you enjoy biology, but if you’re finding yourself disenchanted with the field as a career, don’t force yourself to go into it. You need to choose something that you can really see yourself doing for the next ~50 years. Figure out how you measure success then choose a field that would allow you to fulfill those metrics.
On the flip side, though, you’re not in college yet. You still have plenty of time! Take the next year or so to explore your options. It’s a lot better than realizing you don’t want to go into biology when you’re already, say, a senior in college.
