What should I do with my life?

Question

I'm a grad student in Biochemistry, finishing my PhD. BUT... I'm convinced that this is not the life for me! All of my training is in science (I am a stereotypical nerd -- asian, bad vision, plays the piano and violin, loves math, does science...), but I want to do something else, something challenging and fun! I love books and movies, have an interest in writing and am outgoing (unusual for a scientist, I know!). Any help is greatly appreciated!

For a look at my writing and my current situation, please go to www.myimpossiblelife.blogspot.com

Cheers,
J

Answer 1

Travel.
Go to another country. You'd be surprised how different life is abroad. You'll find your calling a whole lot easier if you know whats out there.

Answer 2

This is not an easy question to answer.

The first question to be answered is how did you get all the way to the PhD level in something that is not the life for you? I majored in accounting because that is what my grandfather and father were and having been sheltered, I didn't know of anything else.

Perhaps you originally had an interest in this area but you have mastered it and you are the type of person that needs to be challenged - you need to live your life mastering things.

Maybe your followed the expectations of your culture but you have become more independent as you have become older. I had a super genius boyfriend who upon seeing me leave a bank job for consulting, left his bank job, burned his suits and went into construction work. He said that he didn't realize that people didn't have to work 9 to 5 jobs.

Or, maybe you once loved biochemistry but you are burned out. I can say that the lifespan of my interests is very short. I lasted in accounting exactly one year before switching to computers. I got tired of computers after three years but managed to last 14 years. If you are like me, then you may have a problem earning a decent living doing something you like. If so, it may not be a good idea to spend eight years mastering the subject because you will be too burned out to make money in it.

The other point to be made is that people deal with a common conflict which is - should I do what will generate a reasonable income or should I do something more fun? In New York City, I saw people doing the first, in the ski resorts of Colorado, I saw people doing the second.

Both situations were pathetic. The first people were living an emotionally dead or depressing lifestyle and the second group was just as bad. They were working 80 hours per week - 40 wonderful hours teaching skiing and 40 dreadful hours waiting tables.

Fun jobs generally don't pay unless you are one of a handful at the very top of your field - a best-selling author or singer or an Oscar winning actor. Boring fields like accounting often pay everyone in the field a decent living.

I mastered my areas of expertise as you have done. What worked for me was to recognize that I should work in my field one or two days per week and spend the rest of the week doing what I want. I made sure that every hour I worked, I earned a lot of money. Lawyers and doctors can probably easily do this. I'm not sure about PhDs. Still I was not happy.

So I bought real estate that generated rental income above the mortgage payment, so I could live for free. I didn't care if I lived at the poverty level as long as I got to spend all my time doing what I wanted to do. Sometimes it was hard to find things that I liked to do and there was no pressure to accomplish anything. I enrolled as an audit student and took courses.

There are always other possibilities which are to do what you like after work and on the weekends. Sometimes that gives you enough energy to get through work.

The other problem that needs to be addressed is family needs. The mountain people were not very able to financially and emotionally support a family.

Answer 3

Look, a PhD in Biochemistry is quite an accomplishment in itself. It is also only the start. I'd have to say that you're just a bit worn out with the biochemistry. Give it some time and you will realize what you have. There are many possibilities - medicine, patent law, business analyst for the biotech industry, others. While you may be a good writer, many, many people consider themselves "writers". Few actually are.
Good luck.

Answer 4

Just because you'll have a PhD in science doesn't mean you have to do anything related to your field. You can be anything you want to be. That degree just ensures that you'll get respect easier when doing it, because you have the level of education that will tell people you know what you're talking about.

I doubt you'll be interested in this, but the public school system could always use someone like you. There's nothing more challenging and rewarding than working with young people. Try mentoring and see what it does for you. It couldn't hurt.

Answer 5

There's no reason you can't start out in biochemistry to earn a living while you try your hand at writing on the side.

Try everything that interests you or looks "fun" and when the right career comes along, you'll know it. Sometimes what looks challenging and fun on the outside is a major drag once you get inside. :)

Answer 6

Perhaps you could make something of your musical or writing talent.
But keep in mind that the creative arts are an extremely competitive profession. You should always keep biochemistry as your "backup," or get a job in biochemistry while you figure out how to make a living by being creative.
Hope you find success and happiness!

Answer 7

Do something crazy like I did. I was bored and didn't want to continue working the feild that I was in. So I decided to move to Banff oneday and it was a great experiece and I found a job that I love from going out there. Banff is a huge party town so I don't think you'd like it there but teaching english as a second laguage is another idea, it'll give you a chance to travel and do something out of the ordinary.

Answer 8

Write a memoir about your life. Talk about how you invested all your time in something you truly aren't interested in. Maybe you can write a book that will save college freshman thousands of dollars in wasted student loans studying something that has absolutely nothing to do with their heart's desires. Use your personal experience, and as your writing you may find out what exactly it is that tweaks your interest.

Just a thought.

Answer 9

look dog
don't sit moping about what your fault r , be glad u r a nerd
cause, most of us might end up working for u one day
As for the fact that u r looking for something to do besides science, look behind you or in yur backyard if u have one
there is plenty of things to do.
if u r talking about a new carrer, its sortta to late now cause u don't want to spend another 7 - 8 years getting all those degrees
again, so just find girl or a hobby to keep you in check and awake in life so u just don't spend evry day doing the same rountine over and over again

Answer 10

You sound like a great person. I say, follow your heart. If you follow your passion in life and what truly makes you happy, you will be successful in that career. You are not alone, I'm 28 and still trying to figure out what I want to be 'when I grow up'!! I have a degree in graphic design but don't want to follow that path. I am thinking of getting my B.A. in psychology because I have a strong desire to pick a field that helps others. Well, keep your head up, follow your heart and don't ever give up!!

Answer 11

If you're convinced that this is not the life for you, you already know and have your answer. You just have to accept it and approach your passion with some logic. If you love books, movies and writing -- then pursue it. Draw up a plan. Follow your heart.