Monday, May 22, 2006 @10:02 PM
It is another decision time for her and in a way, for the family. It is time for my youngest sister to decide what she wants to do in her life or to the least what she wants to do in the next couple of years. She has to decide what course she wants to pursue at college (and which college).
I had a chat with her over the weekend. She asked about my opinion. But I didn’t really give her an answer rather wanting to hear what she is really interested in. And based on that I tried to give some suggestions and shared with her how I came to mine.
While my sister is all into thinking about her future, I have been pondering a lot about what will be my next step after Graduate School as well. Will I be able to continue doing research? Will I do a medical/science related job but not research? Will I just go for a totally different profession?
Few weeks ago, I was chatting with another doctoral student in my lab, EF. EF is completing her degree end the end of this year.
EF: I am not going to stay in research.
Me: Oh, so are you going to look for a job in industries or pharmaceuticals?
EF: No, not at all. I want a total change.
Me: What exactly do you want?
EF: Well, I am interested in arising public awareness about cancer. I wonder whether I can get a position in some non-profit organization for cancer.
Me: Since when did you know you’re not interested in pursuing a career in research?
EF: The moment I started Grad School. I knew it right away.
Me: Oh…
EF: Yea, I know I’ve wasted all these years to work on a degree that I won’t be able to apply for my career. It’s funny. I’m starting new at the age of 32! I should have just gone directly to a job that I have interest in from the beginning.
Me: I don’t see it as wasting time. The training and skills obtained from these few years from your PhD will apply later on. Since you’ve done research and have a good understanding about the scientific research, you can convey proper message to the public about what is exactly going on in the scientific world and liaise both worlds to assist in winning the battle against cancer.
After talking to EF and my youngest sister, I still haven’t figured out what I will do next. Nor do I have the best advice to my sister for her own decision. I have been reading career columns and attending career advice seminars all the time. The more information I gather, the more I am aware of the realistic sides of my ideal dream career. I know I would like to have a career that allows me to contribute something to improve human disease and better still studying the genetic aspect of human. However it seems that there will be a lot of hills to climb and hurdles to overcome before I can reach the destination. Am I truly capable and competent enough? I have seen some struggled hard for grant and research funding. Some even couldn’t continue to get the financial support and were forced to have a career change later.
I still have no answer for my next step. But all I can share here is, everyone should just go for the one they are interested and do what their heart tells. Can you recall the advice from my group mentor during one of the roundtable sessions of my recent conference? (Refer post: Memory stamped) That guy said, “Everything will gradually fall into place when you know what you want and are working towards it.”
I was reading an article introducing successful people in a career column. This guy who was interviewed gave his advice to the readers. “Do what you want, because that is what you will do best.”
That’s right, I’ll not worry too much of where I will end up next. I know why I am doing this. I know my aim of leading me to Graduate School. And I will take my time to find out what I truly want next. Even if I end up doing something else or change my mind for a different profession, it is still not a waste. We’ll be able to apply our experience when we board to a new field. The additional skills and training will serve as a precious experience in whatever we will be embarking later. But at least at that very moment, I will go for the one that I have the most interest. After all, if you don’t even have the interest of doing something you like, how can you enjoy what you are doing, let alone do it well right?
