Feeling lost and dont know what to do in my life. Should l keep studying or find a job?

MrBarbs on 20/12/2022 - 16:58

Hi guys, l seeking the wise advice of the OzBargainers. I'm currently 21 years old and graduated with a Bachelor of Advance Science (Pre-med). After finishing High School, my aim was to become a doctor. However, because l didn't get the highest atar, doing this course would be my best option as it could provide me with the background knowledge of becoming a doctor.

Fast forward to now, I've realized that a career as a doctor is not for me. I did not enjoy what l studied and l believe if l would to continue that l would fail as the amount of knowledge that one must learn is incredible. When going to the doctors, l now appreciate the amount of endurance they must have gone through to become what they are.

So now I have this degree and l don't know what to do in my life. After graduating, I've been looking for a job like a Medical assistant or Research assistant (things of that nature) and having no luck. The competition in this field is so high with the pay being so low. Am l looking in the wrong areas?

I have to decide if I want to go back to studying or keep on trying to find a job. I've always liked computers, enjoying how they work and the software that runs them so maybe a degree in computer science would be beneficial for me to get a job in the field of IT. I have the opportunity to work as a Teacher or as Plumber (been working in this field for years now but not as an apprentice). I may like teaching but l definitely don't like Plumbing though it would be the easiest path for me to take as I've been working in it for years.

In summary, I need advice on a career path l should take. Keep trying to find a job in the field of my degree, obtain a new degree like computer science, or become a teacher or a plumber. Thanks for reading the story of my life and value any comment that you guys could give me.

Education & Work

Comments

  • richrichie on 22/12/2022 - 12:42

    Have you considered the field of bioinformatics? Since you mentioned you like computer & software and have a medical background, it might be a good fit. I was told there is a high demand and low supply of talented bioinformaticians locally these days (both in academia and industry)

  • huggsymersh on 22/12/2022 - 12:53
    +1

    The beauty of computer science is that there are some high quality courses that you can do for free that will give you a potential taste for the area. While it's not going to give you deep insights into work culture, business etc, it will at least give you a taste of what is in store. I think that's a unique feature of the space. There's not many other areas of work where you can get a feel for the nature of the work without committing to a course, internship, work experience etc.

    I'm from a non-CS background but always been a little curious so started this course, which has been amazing. Started while rehabilitating from a health issue and it has made me think serious about redirecting my own career/vocational trajectory.

    https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-har…

  • kaleidoscope on 22/12/2022 - 14:04

    Talk to a career counsellor would be the first step I'd say. I have a close relative that's been through the path of becoming a doctor (and is currently a doctor) out of their parent's wish and is now completely miserable because that is not what have any interest in doing… We all been situations like this more or less, but I think it's good to talk to the right and trust worthy people and settle for something that you find interesting before jumping into a completely different study path or career.

    Good luck!

  • thriftysach on 22/12/2022 - 14:18

    Do an online Masters of Teaching for chemistry/biology/maths and start working. Finish this in a year and get your foot into the door for any schooo as a TA or Tutor. Re-attempt ucat and gamsat and keep on trying for med

  • pnt on 22/12/2022 - 14:19
    +1

    Congratulations on completing your degree, it's quite an accomplishment of it own!

    I'm mid 40's and still don't know what I want to do with my life! What you like now, you might not like later. Things change so much over time. Even within an industry, entry level, contractors, training, management roles, parenting years are very different. You sound smart, so may get bored in any position before too long. You might never find the perfect career, but most people manage to make a happy life with whatever random thing they pick at the time at 18 years old or so, whilst taking happiness improving job opportunities as they go along. Look after yourself, look after you health. I hope the rest falls into place for you.

    P.S. There plenty of work out there in most industries, IT and Health are big, for someone with a good attitude and some aptitude. But some sub industries don't get so much work. Teaching gets less money and substantial stress they say. Research jobs seem very hit and miss vacancy and salary wise. There are many well paying and rewarding alternative health careers - physio, OT, psychology etc. There is a lot of choice - too much!

  • geeaad on 22/12/2022 - 14:38

    You could try applying for some Grad Programs in IT even with the degree which you have - I have seen some people come through with some non-IT degrees such as Philosophy & Mathematics where I work.

    On the Grad Program you pretty much get to learn things from scratch (e.g. I studied IT at Uni and was relearning some of the same stuff I studied at Uni)

  • qaz182 on 22/12/2022 - 14:58

    I heard it said from this financial professional that being in finance was great in the 80s, 90s when the industry was booming and crap from 08 (GFC) onwards when the industry shrank (with workers fighting harder for share of a declining "pie".

    If money is the goal, then something to do with digital assets, DeFi, crypto or AI are probably the big growth fields of the future.

  • lazarski on 22/12/2022 - 16:24

    go travel while you are young and unsure otherwise you will end up like me, older and lost

    • Mr Haj on 22/12/2022 - 17:06

      travelling is so expensive. how can young people afford it?

  • rinco on 22/12/2022 - 16:52
    +1

    The more time you invest in the wrong career the harder it will be to course-correct. I suggest you do some reflection along the lines of a cost benefit analysis. If you need some motivation to make life changing decisions, I recommend reading/listening to some self improvement books. I just finished The Happiness Trap (https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Trap-Struggling-Start-Livin…) and highly recommend it. Several chapters focus on identifying your core values, which can be used to best improve your chances of a happy life.

    • Tsubasa on 03/01/2023 - 12:03

      Thanks for the book suggestion. Just ordered the pocket book to have a read.

  • Shiny Mew on 22/12/2022 - 18:07

    The wealthiest people I know are self-employed tradespeople (the wealthiest being a commercial/civil plumber), so perhaps go into business for yourself if you haven't already and stick it out?

    Conversely, the most underpaid (having regard to length of education/training, stress, difficulty and hours) in my opinion include lawyers (excepting the small number of barristers and partners) and architects, so perhaps avoid those.

    • binti33 on 25/12/2022 - 13:26
      -1

      Don’t agree. The tradies I know have big new houses and nice cars but are in massive debt. The professionals (many of whom are lawyers) I know are paid well and enjoy the luxuries that go with that without excess.

  • Dangit on 22/12/2022 - 18:11
    +1

    If you like IT,
    Try cybersecurity.
    Providers like
    - ICS2 - https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/CC?filter=featured&searc…
    - Tryhackme - https://tryhackme.com
    Offer free training.
    Probably start off with an CompTIA ITF or A+ which is more IT then join the dark side with cyber related courses
    See how you go :)

    • Felixrising on 24/12/2022 - 01:55

      Also wanted to add, you do not need to do Comp Sci or whatever to work in IT. Interest and desire to learn and do research into whatever you are working on will take you a long way. I'm B Sci (Physics) and B Arts (German), and have worked in IT field from 26, 20 years later, still loving it. I could jump from Infrastructure to Security or Architecture now having accumulated a lot of experience across many sub-fields.

  • cwan on 22/12/2022 - 18:15

    I think you should work towards what you enjoy doing rather than what is available, so I would not do plumbing even if it is easily accessible to you. Look into the computer science or teaching a bit more to see if your interest is real. Could other careers be suitable? Something else may come to mind if you think about it in terms of what you want to actually be doing in your ideal job (Do you like problem-solving? Do you like interacting with customers/clients? etc etc). Seeing a career guidance counsellor may not be a bad idea - just hear them out, they may offer some perspectives you haven't considered.

  • mungas on 22/12/2022 - 20:26

    Try apply at a Big4. The consulting divisions usually take on staff from varying fields of study with generally no direct correlation to the role.

  • ofey on 22/12/2022 - 21:02

    Paramedic?

  • Zondor on 22/12/2022 - 21:38
    +2

    By the way, this is all normal for 21. Lots of people go through this.

  • paloverde88 on 22/12/2022 - 22:24

    Steve jobs at your age was in the best school studying Fonts because he dropped out.nobody become a trillionaire studying Fonts.
    Mariah Carey stated she would not have wriiten visions of love her multi multi platinum song and All I want for Christmas had she followed all the rules of song writing according to Mariah - by shutting out conventions a genius is produced. those 2 huge hits went against all song writing rules, UNLESS of course you want to practice law medicine pharmacy or engineering that you must follow conventions, including wearing a blond wig

  • maverickjohn on 22/12/2022 - 23:17

    You can add one more year and do things like radiography etc . Or 2 years and do a masters in pharmacy. That degree is a gateway degree to other specialties

  • BoneDr on 23/12/2022 - 05:37
    +1

    There are plenty of options to jump into masters etc within the allied health field if you still have a science interest.

    Medicine and the post graduation training pathway is a gruelling and unrelenting time. You sacrifice the best years of your life for the goal. I started studying at 18 and I’m 32 now, two thirds of the way through my surgical training and still 4 years to go including my fellowship subspecialty training. And that’s having worked and studied every year to now, no breaks, and getting onto training about as quickly as one can in Australia. It’s a rough slog. Would I recommend it to others? Not unless you’re completely in love with it. And even then, it’s a shit journey.

    My younger brother made the sensible decision to not pursue med after finishing his pre med degree like you last year - he starts his masters of physio in February.

    That being said, Pre med biomedical degrees are tickets to many other higher degrees as others have said, and if your hearts not in med now, I can definitely tell you it won’t be in 10 years time.

    Best of luck.

  • Tin Nguyen on 23/12/2022 - 07:28

    If you’re an introvert network like crazy, in 2 years your friends will refer you to a job.

    If you’re an extrovert study a bunch of things online.

    The first advice do what’s uncomfortable the last thing you want to do is get comfortable with life.

    My second advixe s

    • ebemc on 25/12/2022 - 10:57

      Don’t let me hanging with this cliff hanger!!

  • Rillanon on 23/12/2022 - 11:03

    As some one who was "lost" during his study years. My 2c of advice is this:

    Take a real critical look at yourself and understand the reason why you didn't 'enjoy' your current career path.
    Knowledge is on-going, switching to a career like computer science might seem easier at the start, but we are then talking about continuous improvements over the years.

    Do you dislike medicine because of people, hours? dedication required? culture? motivation? don't want to be broke all the time?

    if it's latter two, then I'd suggest you take a year or 2 off and work a job first, so you can get some perspective of how things are like beyond "school".

  • apolomka on 23/12/2022 - 13:31

    I chose IT out of three completely different options because I really liked problem solving. I've just clocked up 50 years in IT, have been contracting for nearly 30 years now and still love the work.

    I often say that with IT you can change careers every job without changing careers. Over the years I have worked in share registry/stock broking, payroll, accounting/finance/banking, Courts, Police, land, etc. etc. and each time I learn something new while doing my job and making a contribution.

    Started as a developer but moved to business analysis, data analysis, systems design and project management. This has meant I can be flexible in what roles I take on and get offered a variety of work, even within a single contract. The ability to work from home/remotely, even before it was a 'thing' has been great.

    Think about what things motivate you positively and look for roles that will feed that motivation, accepting that no job will be perfect for you all the time.

  • Jowly on 23/12/2022 - 13:55

    Be a plumber, they earn almost as much as doctors these days.

    • JPMelb on 23/12/2022 - 22:17

      Until your bod gives out

      • Jowly on 28/12/2022 - 02:45

        It's true, there's a certain amount of wear and tear - But you don't need to be on the tools for rest of your life. I know plenty of tradies who've moved up the tree, don't get their hands dirty any more and have a VERY comfortable life. It's what you make it.

  • Ragnarok1983 on 23/12/2022 - 16:41

    Electrical apprenticeship?

  • doncarajo on 23/12/2022 - 20:39
    +1

    If you can do the science degree you can be a doctor. Source - I'm a doctor after doing science.

  • JPMelb on 23/12/2022 - 22:17
    +2

    I hear you. Back in the 90's….

    I wanted to be a dentist, fell short and went into Chemical Engineering,

    wasn't for me and dropped out after 3 years.

    Worked a season at Mt Buller and was going to go back to do comp sci. In between got a job in a PC Retailer

    25 years later I've worked at places like IBM, HP and Lenovo. Enjoyed a salary of 250k+ for the last 20 years and never thought of this as a career choice.

    The point is, don't be hard on yourself and there are good options outside the standard known streams depending on our skills and personality.

    For the haters - Most senior people are utimately Sales. Partners at Legal and Accounting firms are Sales people first.

    • Felixrising on 24/12/2022 - 01:57
      +1

      Sales is definitely an important pathway to the top in lots of fields.

    • jetM on 24/12/2022 - 12:18

      Man you could be my brother I did exactly the same to a T even with course choice ie dentist and then chem eng. I think we same mind set lol. I started sales but went full technical. Same type of salary if you are at the top of the game.

      • JPMelb on 24/12/2022 - 17:59

        I think I prefer doing what I am doing. Filling caries would be a bit tedious. Money in dentistry isn't what it used to be.

  • UFO on 24/12/2022 - 02:01
    +1

    You've stuck it out and got the degree… well done. Who the hell cares if you have absolutely no desire to use it?

    Getting it opens up a stack of doors in career paths you've never even considered. I have a tertiary degree (and grad cert) in an area that has absolutely nothing to do with the career I'm in right now, but without that degree I never would have been able to get in. A LOT of government jobs want applicants with tertiary qualifications… and they don't care what its in, just that you have it (are smart enough to get into uni, and are driven enough to stick it out).

    I have a mate who I went to uni with who's now a cop…. a very high ranking one. Never would have gotten in without their degree in the first place.

    Take a gap year and then go work nine to five somewhere earning some cash without stress (nothing to do with medicine, you clearly dont want it).

    Don't stress about picking the "right career". This isn't the 1950's where people just stay in the same job their whole life. Just don't jump straight into a new degree for goodness sake! And don't settle for plumbing either. Granted you can make huge sums of money in the current climate, but if you know its not going to make you happy why do it? You're too young to decide on the rest of your life… so don't try. Live a little now and as you get older things will start solidifying a bit on what you like and don't like.

    This degree you have isn't a waste. It's going to open up doors you can't even imagine yet, so dont worry you aren't going to use it directly in the field of study.

    Go get a job… any job, and start figuring out for yourself what you want. It's going to take time and you are just starting. I didn't know what I really wanted till early 30's.
    I suggest getting into a customer service role. Talking to people, selling, listening, communicating etc.
    You have brains, but zero experience in working with people nine to five (casual doesn't count). Get out there, work full time, and start earning some cash. Try different roles and see what takes your fancy. If you like PC's, get into that area even its just retail. I started retail in PC's, and then you start meeting the reps coming in from the different manufacturers and listening to what's out there. I ended up working for M$… and that in itself gives some nice feathers in the cap for future roles. You've done the hard bit (uni), now just go get some real life experience working in teams day in and day out and things will open up for you. Chillax man, you're in an enviable position! You're going to be working with people that will look at you with envious eyes… but you'll need to learn from them.

  • Spuds Mchaggis on 24/12/2022 - 06:57

    Join the Defence force. So many different jobs to choose from and so many different opportunities are offered these days.

  • Cynicaloflife on 24/12/2022 - 10:16

    I work in I.T and wish I trained up as an electrician lol.

    I.T is good but just a pain when changing jobs. so many Tech tests (take home, online etc) and technical interviews. Sometimes it can be like 5-6 hours invested just for a single job interview and you can get rejected at the final one….

    Plus, you get competition from overseas. Last I heard, the electrician Union is strong and the only completion that electricians have are from UK or Ireland.

    • JPMelb on 24/12/2022 - 17:57

      not many electricians in their 50's. Body wears out.

      • Cynicaloflife on 24/12/2022 - 23:56

        My mind wears out when I want to switch I.T jobs ;)

        Hence you don’t see too many I.T professionals in their 50’s either programming. Majority become managers.

  • Munki Kundi on 24/12/2022 - 10:42

    Hi

    Please consider a career in
    1. Operating theatre technician
    2. Anaesthetic technician

    I am not sure what these careers need you to qualify in but I am sure you don't need to be a doctor.

    Hope this helps.
    All the best

  • jetM on 24/12/2022 - 12:15

    I started dentistry hated switched to engineering and from that decided to do an extra year and get a compsci degree. Best thing I ever did I deferred my engineering degree and entered the workforce. Still in it after almost 30 years as a senior cybersecurity engineer. My advice here is do something you love and not for the money and this is the advice I have given my children as you don’t want 40 years of unhappiness as this will reflect on you relationships as well. You have plenty of time just find the path right for you.

    • Cynicaloflife on 24/12/2022 - 23:55

      Dent does pay higher in some circumstances and requires minimal upskilling unlike I.T.

      Source - I work in Comp Sci and Dent. In Dent, some times I earn $300/hr but other times $0/hr ;)

  • sAmiZZle on 24/12/2022 - 13:47

    Since you asked, my advice to you as a 40 year old office worker is what I wished someone had told me sooner. Find something you are truly passionate about or good at. Start your own product or business or service. Use a skill you have and focus your energy into it. You will be much more motivated because it is yours and something you created and are invested in! You could even look into trading online or something. There is money to be made there and you have more freedom and time to do what you want (mind you this requires an initial outlay, but you can start small). When you come out of high school you get shoved into a mold, which careers guidance counsellors, etc, try to fit you into. Don't listen to that. As a side note, the tax system in this country supports and benefits business owners, not employees so much. As an employee the more you earn the more tax you pay.so factor that into your choice if you can.

  • psylence on 24/12/2022 - 20:09
    +1

    After doing whole degree in advanced science last thing you want to do is something like computer science degree. You will just be a career student. Remember each year you are not working you are losing like 70-150k of income. Already a few hundred thousand of missed income and uni fees from first degree it's time to go work.

  • themedic on 24/12/2022 - 21:05

    Hey OP,
    It’s great that you’ve reached out. There has been some great advice here. My two cents is what someone once said to me.
    “Success breed passion, not the other way round”.
    You can enjoy the job you are good at that pays well and gives you flexibility vs the job are you passionate about that is unpredictable. I feel for the passionate musician who struggles to make a living.

    Remember there is no time wasted. Figuring out what you don’t want in life is just as important as figuring out you love.
    Getting “lost” overseas for a gap year for work, volunteering travel is really valuable. Don’t feel like you have to make the right choices now. Be okay with being wrong. Life is the journey, not the destination.
    All the best.

  • Geekomatic on 25/12/2022 - 00:26

    Hi OP,

    You sound like my son. Great at maths, literature, and all-rounder. He thought he'd like medicine. His secondary school trialled a final exam test which even the teachers couldn't pass and LOWERED the class's overall scores! Au education is BS.

    He ended up taking a dual in computer science and software engineering.

    He's now a very happy software dev.

    Do that.

  • Other on 25/12/2022 - 01:40

    Learn how to do dcf models.

    Use your medical degree to analyse pharmaceutical companies and figure out if there second stage drugs will get approved for 3rd stage.

    Do 10 position long/short.

    Profit.

    You are Welcome.

  • Black Brown Blue on 25/12/2022 - 07:26
    +1

    Look into allied health.
    I was in similar situation in year 12 and so grateful I did radiography 4 years. Lot of my friends did medical science and biomed science, the ones that did not get into med ending up changing fields due to lack of jobs.
    Radiography and Sonography have high job prospects, good salary and huge shortage especially rural and regional. It's a mix of technology, physics, medicine and patient care.

  • binti33 on 25/12/2022 - 13:27

    Engineering is a booming field atm

  • blueyez on 21/01/2023 - 01:46

    You are quite young. Most adults don't have their lives together career wise and your career can be fluid. Most adults I know aren't working in their field of study they did at uni.

    I wouldn't stress too much over what to do next. Maybe see if there's a free IT course (or short course) to see if you'd like it.

  • bargain huntress on 17/04/2023 - 22:27

    If you change your mind about not wanting to be a doctor, you could consider moving to Qld, as it is easier to become a doctor there in several ways.

    • dtrinh on 17/04/2023 - 22:38

      Can you provide more insights? Tia

  • seannami on 20/04/2023 - 16:47

    Science teachers are always needed, I'd consider that. Or perhaps a Masters of Lab Med or Epidemiology/public health?

  • DragonAsh18 on 28/04/2023 - 13:02

    Might be worth looking into this if you have a cyber tilt. https://cybercx.com.au/cybercxacademy/

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join