reticularvision

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This is probably not something you can just get an answer to, but here goes. I am a college senior pursuing a degree in biochemistry and am having trouble deciding what to do next. I really want to get into film production, but am afraid of failing, but then again I really like doing neuro research. I guess I am just in a log jam of life decisions.

Bipolar

I know it is a cliche answer but you are in a stage of life in which you just need to sit down and have a long conversation with yourself and looks at the possible pro/cons of everything and try to make a decison that you can live with long term. Make sure to weigh any risk factors such as your strong and weak points with each. Sorry I could not be of more help. Maybe someone else will come along with better advice. Welcome to webrats.

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lovesit

Is your Minor in Film?

I am in film production (actually post-production, editing) and when I started, my boss had her degree in Biology. The other editors were English and History Majors.

My best friend has his degree in Plant Bio, and really enjoys research (Biotech), but realizes he won't make it to the next level of research without at least a Masters, and more desirably, a PhD. Obviously, this is something you need to think about.

In entertainment, it's easy to make beaucoup bucks with a sometimes easy schedule (I took a long lunch and shot a round of golf yesterday). That is a huge upside. But starting at Production Assistant is a serious bummer (long hours/shitty pay/everyone but the intern is your boss, and everyone gives the intern a break). What area of production do you want to get into?

I started out in Bio, but realized I didn't have a love for it - too bad I only figured that out AFTER OChem!

Good luck with your decision. Let us know what you come up with.

skept

I have posted this before and I'll tell you of my experience. I have always been interested in the human mind and the way it works, i like knowing what makes people tick and the reasons why people react in some ways and why they did.

Exiting gr12 I had briliant marks which would have let me do whatever course I wanted and enter them with no problem - however I sat down with myself and talked it thru. To get to psychaitry I would have had to do a 4 year course (pharmacy) then 3/4 years of med school, then work for a year or two and then do my specialization and on top of the work under supervision for a few years before I could finaly be my own man.

The math of it worked out I would have been into my 30's before I would have ever put a foot in my own practise - and on top of that - the cost of insurance etc. would have meant that I would have been very very behind in terms of income etc.

I chose to go the path of engineering/IT - I know its a far way away from my true calling but in the end I'm 22 in november and I will graduate at the end of the year. I enjoy electronics as well as IT. But I have a job lined up for the start of next year (\o/ empolyed into a full time position without even graduating) in a field that I do enjoy.

So whilst psychaitry might have been my true calling, I never regret taking Engineering /IT. I enjoy the work, I find myself wanting to learn more and I am in a position where I will be happier then if I had to study until my 30's.

Looking back now, I can feel that I made the right choice. I am happy inside and I never have regret doing engineering/IT. Sure there has been times where it seemed too much and I wanted to give up because it was the easier option - but I stuck with my course - and to me that is proof that I am doing the right thing - I know no matter how hard shit gets I will never give up and I haven't.

You have to do the same thing - you have to see what you want to do and make a decision based upon it. Never comprimise on what you want to do or achieve, never change your life long dreams - change the world around you so that you may achieve the things you want rather then letting the world change you and your dreams.

danzman

As someone who has been in your footsteps, (I have a degree in chem and one in Bio) I understand what you are saying. The unfortunate thing is that most jobs in biochem are not that rewarding. There are long hours, little results, and not nearly enough compensation. If you only have a bach' than you are at a real disadvantage, as many of the people you will be working with will have post grad degrees or at least a lot of research under their belts. If you really feel that neuro is your thing, than you shoud consider getting a masters or a PhD, then you could work at a university and do research there. It is a more stable option than working for a bio-tech company, and full time profesors make very good money. This will, however take a few more years to get. If movies are what you want to do, go do you. Life is far too short. As my father told me once, dont say what you want to be, dont say that you want to be a doctor, say that you want to do what a doctor does everyday, day in and day out, for the next forty years. Do you want to do what a biochemist does day in and day out for the next forty years?

maechile

Is med. school an option? You could go into neurology or even neurosurgery and you would have a very rewarding career (not to mention the insane amount of money you would make)

shiiboi

Statistically speaking, most people in college today will change careers three times during their working life. A very large percentage of people 'find' themselves in jobs that have nothing to do with the degree they earned in college.

Don't worry about it. Pick something now, and go for it. Nothing is final until you're dead. If your choice doesn't work out the way you planned, in a few years you make another choice. If necessary, you can go back to college and earn another degree in something else while you work at a job.

durden

my friend, i just was in your position. i am a college senior majoring in secondary educaton/history. i sat down with my parents and fiance and had to have a long convo with them as well. we all decided, with my decision being final, that im gonna go for my M.A. and my PhD. it is the best thing for me considering thats where i want to end up in the end. do it all now so when i am finished i can go right into teaching college students and pretty much doubling my yearly income.

best of luck to you. it sucks because we are at that age where we want to go out and have fun but still settle down and start our lives. it sucks but is cool at the same time. i hope you come out of this with your heart and mind set on what youre going to do. cheers mate.

gocatgo

I'm currently suffering from the same paradox, although not on the same level I suppose.

I'm in my second year of college majoring in History and am becoming severely disillusioned with my major.

It always amazes me how many freshmen claim they have it all figured out...it's just not that simple.

thecowboy

Biochemistry is a great introduction into law. You learn how to analyze and think logically about problems. Just something else for you to think about. Good luck with your decision.