What do you think I should do?

Just like everyone else, I’ve always wanted a fun, stable job that I could imagine myself being happy to go to every day. However, the search for this job has been a long and winding path.

Here’s what’s happened so far:
At first, I thought I wanted to be a doctor. I love the brain so I was pretty sure I wanted to go into medicine and then maybe specialize in neurology. As I grew older however, I learned just how long the process was to become a doctor and decided that I didn’t want to go into medicine both because I didn’t want to waste that much time just studying to become a doctor and be swamped with student loans and also because I couldn’t honestly see myself going to work at a hospital, meeting people, diagnosing and treating them. If I did decide to go into medicine which probably not, but still, if I did decide, I would major in Physics and minor in neurobiology.

I then thought about going into law. I love English, love doing research and I love communicating and talking with people. The idea of being able to combine all of these ideas made it seem like the absolute perfect job! I just don’t know if I could necessarily do this for the rest of my life but it is definitely still an option for me. If I did decide to go into law, I would major in English and minor in Classics and then go to law school.

The biggest factor in determining a career for me is a job where I’d truly love going to work everyday. Where it wouldn’t even seem like work anymore, you know?

After ruling out more jobs, I finally stumbled upon something that I truly enjoy doing. This past winter, I had an idea for an invention. It’s a great idea and I definitely think it could make a lot of money. HOWEVER, I have no clue how to make the invention. Therefore, I was thinking about going into Engineering so I could learn how to do this. I really do not like math or science for the sole reason that I am not good at them. At least in my opinion. Being average at these subjects has really discouraged me from liking them. I genuinely enjoy physics though. I can definitely be sure about that. Out of chem, bio and physics, physics is surely my favorite. I also love math when I can understand it. Therefore, I was thinking about maybe working really hard on my physics and math skills both this year and the next before I go to college. My senior year (2015-2016), I was thinking about taking both AP Physics and AP Calc AB to ensure that I really enjoy them. If so, then in order to supplement my ideas, I was thinking about majoring in Engineering. If I did decide to go into engineering, I would major in mechanical engineering and minor in industrial design and then go to graduate school and further major in mechanical engineering.

Also, I was thinking about majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in industrial design and then going to business school so I could learn how to manage and build a business and sell my inventions.

Finally, I was also thinking about becoming a teacher. I love kids, and I love teaching and I truly could see myself being happy doing this for the rest of my life. The only reasons I’m hesitant is the pay, the tenure or lack thereof and the lack of respect teachers get. If I did decide to become a teacher, I would major in English and minor in secondary education in order to become a high school teacher.

So basically, this is what’s been running through my head the past few weeks. Clearly, I’m VERY confused about what I want to do but I think I’m in the process of narrowing it down. Let me know what you think seems to make the most sense and what seems like the most practical idea. I’m personally leaning towards either the english/classics then law school or the mechanical engineering/industrial engineering then business school.

Thanks for reading my novel, guys!
Jake

You have to go with the gut feeling you have. Trust your mind and heart. If you’re choosing between the two, I would personally choose mechanical engineering. However, it doesn’t matter what I think or what anyone else that comments on this is going to tell you. You are the only person who can decide what you want to do in life.

@southernbelle16 Thanks for your response. You seem like a genuinely kind person. If you don’t mind my asking, why would you suggest mechanical engineering over the other things?

I agree with the first answer; do mechanical engineering. Obviously you want to make money, but you should enjoy your job. You’ll be doing it for a long time…:slight_smile: You will make a decent salary with that profession, and avoid the tension/hectic part of being a doctor. My mom is a doctor, and she doesn’t always love her job. Her hours are long at times, and she sometimes thinks about her decision 10 years ago… Just make sure you enjoy the job!

@jake193 Well, my dad is an engineer and from the money aspect, most engineers make a great amount of money. Your salary will increase too if you get a master’s in engineering or business as well. I think it’s a very rewarding job and its always in demand. I also agree with @anish14, you won’t always love your job but if you can be happy and satisfied most of the time, then thats what matters.