Throughout your school years you’re going to be asked the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” This question is easy for some. As for others, it leaves them stumped. 

It is troubling to consider what you want to do with your life when you have so much to live for and opportunities to take. 

Since I was younger I’ve always wanted to be a part of something that could help others. Not knowing what that something was made me feel behind. I had a love for many things, taking care of kids, cooking, cleaning, but none of those things felt like something I’d like to do for my entire life. Different factors to also consider is difficult, such as the number of college years, especially the salary considering gas prices these days. One thing that always stuck with me was something within the medical field. Growing up my mom would always watch some type of medical show and that always intrigued me. It was always an interest to me but I didn’t think it’d be possible due to my fear of blood. So over the years I looked at positions within the medical field that would limit my encounters with blood.

I found out a radiology technician would make a lot of money and you still get to work within the hospital with so much less schooling than a doctor. I stuck with this plan in mind for about 4 years. Up until this year, it was still my plan. The ideal way this would work out for me is I go to college for 2-4 years, depending on if I want my masters or bachelors. I’d graduate college, hopefully with a job, and then start my life. Somewhere along the way I would become a real estate agent on the side because that seems so exciting to me. That part may still happen depending on how busy my schedule gets as I get older. Unfortunately that is not the path I will be taking.

Becoming a pediatrician is what I truly want to do and all I can see myself as. Taking care of kids is something I’ve always been good at and I get to become a doctor too! The classes are very demanding and difficult, but being happy with my job in the end is what is most rewarding. I’m still worried about starting my life a little bit later as many know becoming a doctor is about 11 years between schooling and residency. 

Overall the lesson is that no matter how far behind you feel or the uncertainty about the path you’re going down, there is always room for change. So many people have changed majors in college or even taken a gap year to figure out what they’d like to pursue. If your heart is in it enough then hard work and dedication will help you find your path.