The Reality of Pre-Med: From Expectations to Overcoming Pressures
Throughout undergrad, it becomes easy to get lost in the many different options for career paths. Because of this, exploring different interest areas may seem intimidating.
Many students would agree. It may even be fair to make the assumption that students in such programs would describe their post-grad plans as “I’m not sure yet”. Individuals may find themselves in a position where their own thoughts and feelings are clouded by the constant underlying pressures of following the most clear-cut path. In academic environments, there seems to be little time to reflect upon what one truly wants to do. Rather than becoming involved in extracurriculars that align with one’s passions, or choosing electives based on personal interest, the majority of pre-meds merely make choices with a checklist in mind. Due to the overwhelming compulsion to conform to hustle culture, one may lose some appreciation for the undergraduate journey; because ultimately, this is a time that is meant for individuals to discover what ignites their own personal passion. As students, we should aim for open-minded exploration into numerous healthcare fields.
In order to overcome these boundaries, students should first consider the fact that they are free and capable—encouraged even—to explore the many unique career paths in healthcare. Additionally, self-reflection and honesty are crucial in understanding one’s true aspirations, so that more unique opportunities are seen as blessings rather than burdens of choice. The healthcare field is vast and diverse, and flourishing with professionals that each have their own unique role in the healthcare system. They each have their own story to tell as to how they arrived at the very point in their life now, and how they determined that that was the right decision for them.
We invite students aspiring to work in healthcare to take some time to reflect on your passions, desires, and core values. We would like to promote our podcast as a space of reflection for all individuals to learn more about fields that they may not have come across before, and listen in on the educational journeys of other healthcare professionals.
Your Healthcare Prospectives Team
