Expert: Torski Dobson-Arnold - 3/23/2010

Question
Dear Mr. Kim,

I am currently a high school senior. Here is my situation, my mom wants me to be a nurse. she says registered nurses make a lot of money and that having money is important. Plus it only takes 4 years to study. I understand her thinking. personally i am not very interested in nursing field. i have read lots of articles online and asked experts online on the nursing career. i just don't feel that stimulated by reading about the work. It's not something i can picture myself doing for 30 years of my working life. i want to be doing something more stimulating, something i'm interested in, and something that pays well. I'm interested in psychology. I want to do something related to research, however psychologists' salary ranges from not paying that well to decent money. Psychologist also need a Ph.d which requires about 10 years of studying. as i imagine working/ studying to be a psychologist, it seems to be too much work. i highly doubt i can keep my grades up to straight A's and study hard for so many more years. i don't think i can do it. then again, i find the topic interesting. to add more to the problem, i can't seem to find any other career that i have interest in and doesn't require such intensive education.

there is also another reason why i'd rather not do nursing. All my life, i haven't been satisfied with my social life. I tend to be more on the reserved/ shy side and i have always wanted more friends and more of a social life. I feel like college is the last chance i have to really experience a social life with people my age and have some real fun. the college i applied to for nursing (University of San Francisco) is not much of a party school. now i know, at the core of college, is to further your education so you can become something useful in this world. I also applied to the UC's and the UC's are more like party schools- although they are still put lots of focus in the academics. Deep down i want to have a great college experience with education and fun. i can't picture myself going to the nursing college and having the same experience as if i went to a UC. i have done my research and i have read reviews from former students that attended the nursing school.

one one hand, I'm confused as to what i should do career-wise. on the other hand, i want to have a fun college experience. i don't know what to do. what is your advice? i want you to know that i do not know who else to turn to for help. I appreciate your help! thanks.

Michael Leu

Answer
Dear Michael Leu,

Congratulations on articulating at this stage in your life what you'd like to explore in regards to a career field and what things are not very stimulating to you.  There are not many high school seniors that can do that as eloquently as you have.  

Let me just say this right up front - There will be MANY people who will try to give you advice on what you should be, do, and major in as you embark on this new stage in your life, but only YOU can pick the "right" career field and/or college major for you.  As you can see, parents often times will attempt to point their child in one direction or another, but their reasons are based on outside influences such as job prospects, their own chosen career path, etc.

Michael, I think you have clearly defined what area of study you'd like to learn more about psychology.  With this being said, I would tell you NOT to sell yourself short on what you can and can't do.  If you truly have a passion to work in the field of psychology, you will understand that no other option will do and that the amount of school that may be needed to live your dream will be a small "drop in the bucket" in comparison to the lives and people you will tough in the  work that you do.

Finally, in regards to having fun in school, I think there is the possibility to have fun at any college and/or university that you attend.  Again, I would suggest that you define what "fun" means to you in college and look at institutions that have those same characteristics and qualities.

I hope this helps, Michael!  Congratulations to you on your upcoming graduation this spring!

Claiming nothing but success in all of your career endeavors,

-Torski Dobson-Arnold
The Career Confidence Coach