HELP ME: Where do I go from here?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

I have always loved hospitals, volunteer work, and children & that’s why, when I was younger, I said I wanted to be a pediatrician. Fast forward 6 years and a few slaps in the face later, and I was completely off the healthcare idea. My Sophomore year sucked, I got Bs in AP Bio & Chem Hon (keep in mind, I had HORRIBLE teachers) & decided that going to school for a science degree was not a smart move.

At the same time, I got two perfect scores on the English & Writing portions of my ACT & a 32 on the Science. I figured I’d go to school for my strengths, and for the past year and a half I’ve been planning to major in International Relations. I like international culture, human rights issues, legislative process, the works! However, I really, to this day, don’t know what I’d do with that degree. I love the idea of working for the UN, in foreign service, or for World Bank, but the chances of getting those kind of jobs are so slim that I was never sure. I held in the back of my mind a kind of hopefulness that I’d someday get the chance to go to Law school, as I honestly do think I would be extremely successful in law (with a background in English, drama and multiple leadership positions), but with the market for lawyers the way it is right now, that’s seemingly hopeless, as well.

This brings me to present day. About a month ago, I sat down with my parents and decided my heart was still set on healthcare. We talked it through and went through all of our options, and eventually decided that becoming a PA would be the best fit for me (shorter & cheaper than med school, I’ve never wanted to be a nurse so DNP was not in the picture). After researching for a few weeks, I’ve discovered that becoming a PA without previous healthcare experience is a VERY difficult road and doesn’t have any guarantees as to whether or not I’d actually get into PA school, without an enormous number of health care hours, or spending 5 years working as an EMT.

This brings me back to considering an MD.

What do you guys think is my best bet? Do I have what it takes to get into Med school? Any other careers in healthcare you would suggest? Should I go back to International Relations? Any advice on career or major knowing that:

-I have a strong background in English, writing, drama & history
-I love children, the healthcare setting, and have volunteered in multiple depts and loved it
-I got perfect scores on Eng & writ ACT & a 32 on Science
-I’m in AP Calc BC, but I’m not INSANE at math, that being said I do get As
-I’ve been a part of Girl’s State
-I passed all science AP exams, but did not pass my Calc AB
-I don’t LOVE science classes, I like more biology focused ones
-I have a strong work ethic & drive for success

2

I’d like to clarify that I do love science classes, I’m just not sure I love them as much as a doctor should. But of course that’s just me second guessing lol Bump!

3

You need to decide what you want to do; ignore what you’re good at. If you truly have “a strong work ethic & drive for success” then you are probably good at a lot of things. There are many people who go to med school who flunked their AP exams and there are many people who fail to get into med school who passed their AP exams. The key is you need to take everything into consideration. This is probably the biggest mistake people do that leads to choosing the wrong job/major/career path. They don’t think or research it through. For example, too many times you’ll see people try and become lawyers because they like to argue/debate, be wealthy, and wanting to “fix” the justice system.

Here are just some of the variables to consider;
What type of environment do you want to work in?
What level of luxury outside of work do you want to live?
Do you mind working a lot of hours or do you only want a minimal amount?
What job responsibilities are you looking for?
What type of job security are you wanting?

And so on…

4

Thanks so much!