I know I am. All my life, I've wanted to be a doctor- to help people, give them a second chance at life. 5 years ago, my application was rejected. I became a shell of myself then. Do you know that feeling when you work your butt off to reach a goal, then when it's in your reach, you lose it? It's horrible, huh. Here in SA, med school application acceptance are based upon race ratios rather than mark averages. Anyway, I got accepted for Geology. I thought I could bury my passion, and take on studying rocks. It was horrible. A numb sensation became more apparent every day. I reached a point where I couldn't drive past or enter a hospital without bursting into tears. By my second year of Geology I had had enough. I asked my family if I could re- apply for med school. They refused. I offeref to study a Paramedic course because it could be cheaper. Again they refused. They didn't want to begin paying for a new course. I was stuck with it. It was the worst four years of my life. It was also the least amount of effort I have ever put into academics. I couldn't bring myself to concentrate, to try harder. Last year, I got my first job. The only thing that got me through that course was thinking: I'm gonna finish it, work, then, I'm gonna study something in the medical field. I applied for Honours, with my parent's advice, hoping I wouldn't be accepted. I just got a letter saying I'm in. They're proud. Happy. I... I want to burn that piece of paper. I getting deeper into this hole! What do I do? Has anyone or is anyone in this position? Thannk you for your time. :-)

[kultking]

Thank you for sharing your story Lexa2526. I'm in a similar situation right now. I went to school wanting to become a doctor. I was pre-med and a biology major but that didn't work out so for a while I was taking random courses trying to figure out what other field I would like to be in. I graduated with a degree in philosophy. I work for a company that creates automatic inspection solutions using machine vision. It's a lot of problem solving kind of work, which I like, but it leaves me unsatisfied. I want to help people & I'm not really getting that sense of purpose from this job right now. I've been at this job for 9 years now & that's enough time for me really know that this isn't the place for me. I need to figure out exactly what kind of career I want. I wish you all the best!

Hello, Kultking. Thank you for sharing your story with me. I'm sorry you feel you're in the wrong field, too. I wish you all the best finding your true passion, and pursuing it. Stay strong, friend. Keep searching. There are always little signs telling you what your heart truly desires. I strongly believe that. Let's hope we're ready enough and strong enough to listen. I hope you find what you're looking for.