Hard decision to take, need your help

[flipper_gv]

Well, I never thought I'd do that kind of thread someday, but I really need help and I know you guys will give me answers that are thought and not simply thrown out. Here we go:

As some of you might konw, I applied in Medicine school last year (for this year). I had the grades and everything, but at the interview, they found me uninterested (what I've read from the report). Well, that sucks, but I lived with it. I'm presently in psychology (which wasn't that different since I wanted to be psychiatrist) but I find myself not being very stimulated intellectually (sorry if there are any other psychology student here). I doubt that it is because I've been in a science focused program in high school and in science focused program as a pre-college education (known as CEGEP here). Well, not being stimulated intellectually (here what I mean is that I don't have to resolve problems and things I need to understand are quite easy, it's all by heart theory I need to spit at the exams, which pisses me off a little) really drags out some of my motivation in this program.

BUT, I'm only in the first year, and I think things should get a bit more complex and should require more from my creativity. On the other hand, it would be a crap load waste of time to be in a second year in the program to realize it really isn't for me. I'm also really interested in other stuff like mechanical and material engineering.

So, what should I do? Stay in psychology or drop it and try out engineering?

Thx in advance, I really need good advice/opinions

 

[Thomas]

I voted stay in psychology. You seem to have a good background in it and I'm sure it will get more interesting and draw more from your creativity in the future. I don't know how school is in Canada, but we can receive majors and minors as undergraduate students here in the US. It sounds like if you have room for electives you should take an engineering class or two in case you decide to switch in the future. Also, as someone currently studying mechanical engineering, it's extremely interesting. Even if you don't follow that path, the classes should be worth your while. So stick with psychology and take a few engineering classes.

 

[saxonbass]

Flipper... a bit of psychology!
Decisions appear to be difficult because we really know what we want to do, but we don't want to do it. As in: I know in my heart of hearts that there is no future with me and my girlfriend, but it would cause so much upset and pain if I tried to end it (purely an example, but a typical one)... so we ask all our friends, hoping they will somehow vindicate a difficult decision... and you will ultimately make the right (or wrong) decision with (or against) the consensus, depending upon how strong your moral fibre is!
You probably have an idea why you got the comments you did in your interview, but maybe you're trying to deny the underlying cause... which MAY be hard to face up to. With all matters concerning future careers, I find that parental expectations/pressure has a lot to do with it... which is why I ended up doing the wrong thing for 30 years. The other clue is that you also keep mentioning your creativity - and psychology and engineering are not the most creative options in the world, are they?
All the psychologists I ever knew were a bit weird anyway (sorry, psychologists), so I'm voting for "carrot" - whatever that is.

 

[Eberbachl]

I voted for carrots, because although I'd love to help, I think it's a decision that's very hard to advise on remotely.

I could say stick it out with psychology and hope things get better.

I could say dump it and try mechanical engineering.

I think at the end of the day, whilst it's difficult, the truth about where you want to be can only come from within.

 

[Charmand G]

I voted for carrots, cause the help you to see in the dark, which might be what you need to right now.

 

[flipper_gv]

... With all matters concerning future careers, I find that parental expectations/pressure has a lot to do with it...

yeah, there are sometimes a PITA for that. I think that's a part of the
reason why I tried out Medicine. When you have a big sister who's
already on it's way to become a doctor and you have very similar (yet a
bit lower, 2 or 3% less in average) scores, the pressure is high. Maybe
you're right also that I might just not be interested in medicine and
medicine related stuff and it's all my mind who created that to take the
"right" decision under the pressure. But, I chose psychology at first and
then decided to try out medicine. I think it was more of a free choice. As
for engineering, it's simply something I think right now, haven't talked
about it to my parents since they never been the best resources for these
kinds of stuff. I could ask my friends but they are very biased (3 of them
are in physics, one is in engineering, one is statistics, other in pharmacy,
two in optometry, etc... you get the point: they are all in science and they
always said that me going in psychology was a bit weird). I ask you
because you don't know much about my education and I think that make
you all neutral on the subject, which is what I wanted.

 

[saxonbass]

Everyone you know seems to be in the sciences. Don't you know anyone studying arts subjects?
Looks like you need some more information on what subjects are available and what they involve.
Depends whether you want to do a subject which is vocational (medicine being an obvious one)... or study something for fun (?) and then use the qualification to get a completely different job.
I've got a degree in English Literature and Philosophy and I've got a job in accounting - strange but true. I'm still looking for a "proper job", but I ended up here at the end of a series of twists and turns... but at least I do all the creative stuff in my spare time!

 

[trujo777]

I put Carrots because I think otherwise.

I also work in Mental Health as a Clinical Social Worker. I can do everything the psychiatrist does but precribe medicine. Social Work will open up your options more than Psychology (unless you have a PhD in Psychology).

do some reserach and you will see that. I do not know how it is there in Canada but a Bachelor's in Psychology here in the US will get you nowehre same thing with a Master's but a Bachelor'
s Degree or a Master's in SW you can do waaaaay more things here .

Follow your gut and see yourself in 10, 20 and 30 years and think about what brings you joy and what you would like to do in many years ... it is not worth it to make a lot of money and live miserable everyday or not enjoy what you do... that's what happened to me that took me out of Business Administration field. :wink:

follow yourt gut and your heart. :wink:

I do not know if you are a believer but I would suggest ask The Lord for guidance in these important decisions in your life. do not base them just upon a poll in cyberspace.

hope this helps mate :wink:

God Bless.

 

[JHbass]

I think its really up to you, i put stay in psychology because i think thats what i would do but I mean you should really do what you think will, at the end of the day make you feel good inside, if that makes any sense.

 

[golem]

`

Lookit. There's no living playing music. Go for
the jobs that offer enuf money to live well and
enuf time off to really enjoy playing, like to be
able to commit to a local gig schedule. Beyond
that balance, more money for less time off is
worth kaka. Be aware that your wife will not
agree with this, even if she says it's OK. You
gotta be ready for that and don't let her get
the upper hand about it ... cuz it's how it goes.

Of course, you want a wife with a really good
income. You could meet one before you drop
out of medical school. It's good place to start,
but not a good place to graduate from.

Just in case you wanna know my credentials
for this stuff, I have a degree in Fine Arts, so
I do know the drill. I did not meet my wife in
med school. Actually, I no longer even know
where my ex is but I know where my bass is.

`

 

[Thomas]

reflect on your conscience like Saxonbass suggested. The answer's there.