- This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 9 months ago by Ashley Arcel.
-
AuthorPosts
-
February 4, 2015 at 10:11 am #72352MiraParticipant
I am doing my undergraduation right now in law. It’s a 5 year degree and I am in my 3rd year, so I have two more years to go. However, I feel conflicted whether I should continue on with this course or start afresh with a completely different degree. I have given some thought as to what my ideal career would be and it has nothing to with law. I am gravitated towards the field of (primary) education and arts for which I do have a flair for. I know I am hard working and once I have set my mind on something I give my best to achieve it.
I see two options (I can only think of two) ahead of me between which I am torn:
1) Given that I am in the middle of my undergraduate course, I can complete this degree and after that pursue what I really want to do in life. But I have struggled these past two years living in a place where I do not wish to be and also with my course. My academics have not been great here and staying in this place might have also had an affect on my psychological heath.
2) Or, I can quit this course right now and do an undergrad degree in arts, which might help me out in future. I will be more at peace with myself knowing that I am doing something in a field that I like and field that I wish to devote most of my life to. I will not feel like a waste of space and I know I will be more productive in life knowing that I am getting to do what I like to do.I am confused if I should go for option 2, which I can pursue even after finishing my current degree. But I see it as a waste of time and youth doing this course which I have minimal interest in and have been constantly struggling with in various aspects. I would really appreciate if I can have some opinions or advise or suggestions on this.
February 4, 2015 at 12:23 pm #72361Kamara ToffoloParticipantHi microbeing,
Wow, that’s tough. Especially the fact that you mentioned the idea of staying in your law degree will affect your psychological health. We don’t want that. No we don’t.
Our “gut” is always right in my opinion, and it sounds like your gut is telling you loud and clear that the law degree is not where you should be.
A few questions about option 2:
1) What draws you to the field of primary education?
2) As you envision yourself in your ideal career, what stands out?
3) What value would it be creating in your life through your ideal career? What would it give you that law definitely won’t give you?
4) Who would you be impacting by working in your ideal career? What value would you bring to them?When you are really clear on what you want, I think you’ll be able to make a decision about whether or not to quit your law degree.
I hope that was helpful. If I can be of any support, please let me know.
Kamara
February 5, 2015 at 8:47 am #72411Ashley ArcelParticipantHi Microbeing:
Your post stood out to me because I recently went through something very similar to this. I completed an undergraduate degree and, being largely uncomfortable with the notion of stillness, jumped directly into a graduate program within which I was studying Midwifery. There were many things I loved about the program – I loved working with women, I loved the babies, I loved the births…but it was HARD, too, and eventually I began to think that my heart wanted to go in a different direction.
It took about four months of constant angst and deep thought (how could i abandon something I had spent so much time, effort and money on??) but eventually I did leave that program (and I wrote an article about it for Tiny Buddha: http://tinybuddha.com/blog/moving-on-isnt-failure-5-lessons-on-changing-paths/). The moment I left that program, it was like a 10,000 lb weight had been lifted from my chest. I finally felt like I was honoring myself and my true direction.
It’s hard to walk away from something that you’ve devoted resources to, I get that, but it’s about 50 thousand times harder to stay in a career that you dislike all of your life simply because you feel obligated. Give yourself permission to pursue a different path and the world will open up in ways you never thought possible. I promise you. Your heart knows what it needs.
All my best, please keep us updated.
Ashley
- This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by tinybuddha.
-
AuthorPosts