Life-Changing Revelation … Bye Business. I’m Going Pre-Med?

Last Updated on September 6, 2023

It kind of breaks my heart to say this but I think I’ll be withdrawing from Rutgers Business School next semester. I’ll be transferring to the School of Arts and Sciences instead.

My whole life, whenever someone asked me what I want to become, I always had an answer. From age 5 to 12, that answer was simple: “I want to be an artist and a scientist!” I told everyone.

When middle school rolled around, my heart was set on becoming a medical microbiologist or an immunologist. I loved studying viruses, vaccines, and stuff like that. I had a specific career aspiration for the first time in my life. Then high school happened and I was forced to pick between Health Care and Graphic Design because I was attending a vocational high school where you could only be in one academy. I picked the Academy of Digital Design. I enjoyed my time there but realized graphic design was not for me.

Dressing fancy for the city

When it came time to apply to colleges, I decided to apply to the Business School at Rutgers. Perhaps this wasn’t the best logic but I thought I’d like business because I loved acting professionally, dressing in suits, and the thought of leading others. Management was a really appealing option.

On the other hand, I’ve found some subjects like finance and accounting seem so incredibly dull. I want to live a HAPPY life where I enjoy what I do! Not to mention, you’re likely aware of my hatred for forced networking because it feels so fake to me. (Side note – it’s actually studied that it’s TYPICAL for INFJs to be bothered by the idea of networking… Thought that was pretty crazy!)

Anyway, if that’s what it takes to be successful, I want no part of it. I’ll stick to networking the way I like to do it. By letting relationships happen– not by going out of my way to meet people for my own self-benefit. That seems so wrong…

I’ve been talking to a lot of people at Rutgers and the topic of “majors” and “future careers” comes up quite a bit. This was the first time IN MY LIFE where someone asked me, “What do you want to become after college?” and my response has been, “I’m not sure.”

Then I thought about it and THAT REALLY BOTHERED ME! How could I not know!? Why was I in college with no end goal? I decided to meditate that night and I kid you not, it was as if the stars aligned themselves before me.

My life.

I need to drop out of the business school, major in psychology and biology, go pre-med, AND BECOME A CHILD PSYCHIATRIST

Here’s my logic:

I love Psychology but many people seem to treat it as a “backup major” or a “secondary major.” But at least those same people likely won’t be taking their degree to the M.D. level. Plus, I’d double up on it with Biology.

I can still dress professionally and act in a professional manner through my medical practice – I don’t need a business degree to dress like that.

My middle school obsession with illnesses and medicine will still be fulfilled because I’ be able to diagnose and prescribe medicine as needed. That why I’m choosing Psychiatry over Psychology.

I think I could do well in the psychiatric field because INFJs have a natural ability to connect with people one-on-one, listen, and understand them. Plus, the career will feel so much more caring and genuine than where my original plans were guiding me. Plus, now I can help the children!!!

I really think this is something I need to do.

41 Comments

  1. And another bean-counter-to-be steps into the light! 🙂

    Seriously, though, medicine has been an amazing way to help people during the most important and dramatic points in their lives. It’s not an easy path, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Though, it certainly does not hurt to have some business knowledge, particularly if you are going into private practice or facility administration.

    If you really want an adventure, try military medicine.

    Good luck to you.

    1. Hahaha “bean-counter-to-be” I like that! LOL Never heard of that saying before but I can just imagine…

      Dr. Elliott, I want to thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog and I respect your insight on medicine. You are the first professional to comment on my blog. Maybe I can pull pre-med off AND stay in the business school. I’ll speak with an adviser and take things from there.

      Again, thank you! I appreciate it.

  2. neofiasco

    Very happy for you bud! Like you said, “We all deserve a life of meaningful and satisfying work” I could totally relate though. I graduated with a Bio major, but worked for an investment group since I was pretty decent at math. Now I’m back applying for med school. I wish you the best of luck!

    And hey, better you’re realizing your dream now than later 😉

    1. Thanks, Neofiasco! I’m curious – what did you think of majoring in Biology? Was it difficult? Worth it?

      I’m hoping it won’t be too difficult to catch up to other pre-meds since I’m only 2 semesters behind on classes.

      Best of luck applying to med school! 🙂

      1. neofiasco

        Bio wasn’t hard, it just takes a lot of hard work, and if you know that you want to go into med school, trust me, you’ll earn the grade that you need since you have that passion deep down inside!

        Two semesters shouldn’t put you behind, especially since most take their gen ed classes during their first 2 semesters. You’ll probably just have one or two semesters where you’ll be crammed with science electives, but you should be fine!

        MCAT’s the biggest thing I’m dealing with now…taking it in 2 month 🙁 But thank you! Let me know if you need any help or info! A lot of my friends are in med school, so their insight definitely help!

  3. Good luck with your change of majors! I too, plan to change majors at the end of this semester of college and go into pre med. Thankfully I just took my prerequisites this first year of college. It’s a rather brave thing to change majors after accumulating credits that may or may not transfer over to other classes or colleges. Anyway, good luck with your journey.

    1. Thanks Simplexvita! Glad to hear you found something you like as well! Good luck! 🙂

      I only took two or three classes that won’t carry over so while yes, they were potentially “wasted time and money”, I have no regrets. I learned a lot of valuable information from them and give credit to one of the classes for helping me discover my true passion.

  4. I think that actually makes a lot of sense. I’m drawn to psychology myself. I think INFJ’s tend to be interested in understanding people and what better way to do that than with psychology? Also, INFJ’s typically are happiest when on a career path that is humanitarian. Doesn’t surprise me at all that you’re drawn to it. I’m considering doing some personal study of psych myself though I would use it to serve my writing endeavors. I was a communications major because I also thought I’d want to do something with business but I quickly realized it was the way people talked to each other and what was going on in there own minds that I was interested in and not so that I could sell things to them, but because I wanted to connect with and help them. I think you made a choice that will make you happier. Good for you!

    1. Hi AJLion! I’m glad you are able to see the logic behind my thoughts. I also want to connect with people and help them so I feel like psychiatry is one of many ways to accomplish that! It’s funny, in the process of figuring this all out, I considered majoring in communications too! Thought that was an interesting coincidence! Guess these are all great paths for people like us! 🙂

  5. I’m incredibly glad I found this post because I just made the exact same decision a week ago. O_o
    For almost all the same reasons too. There was a long period of doubt though for me which has to do with my father. Regardless: Next stop, MCAT. (and because the universe has a sense of humor, I already aced the GMAT x_x hahaha)

    Cheers!

  6. mira65

    Hi , cute blog you have there! I am a doctor and a fashion blogger, and trust me never leave blogging whatever you do. All the best for your decision to take up psychiatry. Do visit my blog:toweararainbow .wordpress.com

  7. Hey! I just stumbled upon this blog and I hope you really ended up doing what you wrote! I have/had the same “issue,”… I have an INJF personality and I would love to go into psychology. However, I already graduated college and am working fulltime making a living that I find it really hard to essentially start all over again. Maybe I’ll muster up the strength to do it though, just like you wrote. Best of luck to you!

    1. Hi! I’m glad you found it inspiring! I’ll begin by saying I’m VERY happy I made the switch. However, if you read some of my most recent posts, you’ll see I slightly switched paths again but to a lesser extent. Instead of psychiatry, I’m not pursuing psychology. I really love what I’m studying and I am really glad I committed to the change. Best of luck in your transition! 🙂

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