My Story:

In high school and college, my passion for medicine and helping others was clear. But as I grew as a person and gained new experiences, I realized it was important to give myself the freedom to explore other career paths too. This wasn’t about straying from my original plan; it was about broadening my horizons and daring to dream beyond what I initially thought was possible.

Despite societal pressures and well-meaning advice suggesting that diverging from a pre-health path was a mistake, I discovered that exploring different options was actually a brave and empowering choice. It wasn’t a setback but a proactive way to shape a future that felt right for me. I know it can be scary to explore something so new when it feels like you have a strong plan ahead of you. But I think that's when you need to explore your options the most. The moment when you think there is nothing else in this world you would be happier doing, take a second away from the path you're on and do something new. You never know—you might find a new passion, or at the very least, you'll know for sure that the path you're on is the right one for you.

I often felt like the pre-med students around me in college were so focused on getting into medical school or becoming a doctor that they didn't see the other opportunities and careers around them. I understand that pre-meds are passionate about the medical field, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn't explore different aspects of medicine while pursuing their dreams. You never know—on that journey of exploration, you might find a better future that you never thought existed.

As a pre-med myself who has found my way back to the physician profession, I am obviously not telling other pre-meds not to pursue medicine. This isn't about convincing or not convincing anyone to choose a certain path for their future. It's more about encouraging those pre-health students out there who feel trapped on the path to becoming a healthcare professional. Being pre-health should never feel like a trap, but I know some people feel that way, and at times, I did too. It can be scary and confusing to consider a career outside of medicine or the pre-professional track you're on when you have dedicated so much time, money, and possibly several years of education to get where you are. But just know, no matter what stage you are in your journey, there is always a way to explore and dream of possibilities. There always will be.

This journey of trying out different paths opened my eyes to new perspectives and helped me envision a different reality for myself. Each step away from the conventional route wasn’t a detour but a step towards a more personalized and fulfilling future. Dreaming beyond the expected narrative is a sign of resilience, adaptability, and a true commitment to building a life that aligns with my real passions and purpose.

Don’t be afraid to dream but most of all I hope this platform can be a place that proves to pre-health students and all college students alike that change is possible at any stage.