How do I choose the right Course and Career?
It can be daunting having to grapple with tough decisions about your future when you’re just a teenager. Being forced to consider where you want to be in the next 5 years, when you’re still trying to figure out a plan for the weekend. So, I thought it might useful to write a blogpost exploring my experience of choosing the right course and career for me. Through this post I hope to provide a bit of perspective as to what motivated me to undertake my degree in Psychology and Biology, with the ultimate aim of pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology. I’ve also identified my four tops tips for anyone struggling to identify their own interests, so here they are…
Tip 1 - Ask Yourself Why
For me a career in healthcare was always on the cards, however I was initially set on becoming a medic. In retrospect, I think a large part of this motivation was founded in cultural/societal perceptions of medicine as a respectable career option, with me putting little thought into what being a doctor actually meant. So, possibly the best piece of advice I could give you is to ask yourself why you want to do something, this allows you to begin to explore your understanding of what it means to do that thing and identify your areas of interest. Moreover, as Neitzsche said “He who has a why can endure any how” – when the going gets tough being able to tap into the core motivation driving your actions will help you push through! and whilst it’s appealing to choose a course which you think is held in high regard, ultimately a degree is only worth the skills that come with it.
Tip 2 – Do Research
Secondly, please, please, PLEASE… do your research and make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into! I’ve always been passionate about mental health and initially wanted to become a Psychiatrist but in the end, was drawn towards a career in Psychology. I’d often conflated both professions, but through doing my own research was able to disentangle the two. I found that I was actually more suited to the psychological way of thinking than the medical one. Psychiatrists view mental disorders through the same lens as any physical ailment, with a physiological cause and symptoms which can be treated medicinally. However, my fascination with the mind is largely driven by an interest in the interplay between psychosocial factors and the effect of these on mental wellbeing, something I didn’t see reflected in the medical model. So, I opted to do a BPS accredited joint honours degree in Psychology and Biology, this enabled me to keep my options open, broaden my skillset and explore my strengths; whilst ultimately solidifying my interests and desire to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology.
Tip 3 - Get Experience
Although, reflection and research are a great first step, gaining hands on experience is invaluable for developing a sense of what suits you. Now I know the struggle is real when it comes to finding work experience but there are ways! Firstly, I was able to access a range of relevant volunteering opportunities through my school, for example in a SEN School and epilepsy centre. I also participated in a student volunteer programme at my local hospital, aimed at giving young people considering a career in healthcare the opportunity to assist patients in a hospital environment. Your local council should also have a voluntary service which provides local volunteering opportunities in a range of sectors, such as mental health and healthcare. Work experience is an excellent way to develop transferable skills and stand out in applications, it also provides invaluable insight into the realities and challenges a particular profession entails. Even those less than enjoyable experiences which feel like a complete waste of time can help establish a sense of direction towards your preferred career path.
Tip 4 - Be Kind To Yourself
Whilst it’s good to have an understanding of your motivation for wanting to do something, there is also a value in keeping an open mind and not putting too much pressure on yourself to achieve a particular goal. Even if you begin to question your decision or things don’t turn out as you hoped, remember that you’ll have gained a plethora of transferable skills. Whilst I’m affirmed in my desire to become a Clinical Psychologist, I’m also highly aware of the inherent uncertainty associated with pursuing this career path. Therefore, rather than proceeding with blinkers on towards a predefined goal, I aim to enjoy the journey of personal development and embrace every opportunity that comes my way.
