Waah! I Haven't Chosen A Career!

I have the same dilemma, only for me it's medicine vs. a couple other careers in the healthcare field. I still haven't made a decision, and I think about this every day. It's a tough decision. Have you shadowed some PAs to get a better idea of what they do?

Anyhow, one thing that helps me is to think about what qualities I want in my future career, apart from the career itself. For instance, some of the things I want in my future career include:

-flexibility--the ability to make my own hours and have the time off I need.
-working independently. I want a career where I don't have a boss or have to work with others every day.
-in demand. I want a career that's in demand, where there are fewer grads than available positions.
-ability to have a small business. I'd much prefer to have a small business than work for someone else.

These are just some of the qualities I want, and unfortunately for me medicine doesn't mesh well with most of these qualities. Dentistry does though. Clinical psych, another career I'm considering, does mesh well with many of these. I personally think that dentistry is the best career all-around. If I didn't have problems with neck pain, I'd be applying right now. But I'm afraid that the chronic pain I have now would be worsened tremendously if I went into dentistry.

I also find making pro and con lists very helpful.

What are the qualities you're looking for in a career?

[DrWahoo]

Another thing to consider is how much family support you have. I have put off my education for kids, simply because we were living away from family and didn't know anyone who could pick up the slack if we needed them to in regards to our kids. I think a two doc home can work if you have family support, but if you don't then PA is a great decision. PErsonally I think the transition will be easier if you wait to have go to school and then begin your career. Beacuse if there is a gap between your education and career you might miss something and have to deal with constantly explaing what you did 4 or 6 years after graduation. I really feel for you, because I know what it is to have all this great potential, but be limited by family decisions. But what gives me comfort is that there are thousands of doctors, lawyers or whatever, but I am the only mother my kids have and when I am old and grey my clients nor my husbands patients are going to be taking care of us.
Okay that is my 2 cents. Good luck with what ever path you choose.