Help! 10 POINTS!?

Question

I am 14 years old and a little confused right now. (Unheard of, right?) Not about anything super serious, but this eats away at me. I am wondering what I want to do with my life in terms of my career.

I have narrowed down my choices, all of which are reasonable for me.

I have wanted to be a doctor for most of my life. To be true, I do want to help people, but I feel that I am really going into the Medical Field for the money and for the right to call myself a Doctor, if you know what I mean.

For about a year, however, I have taken up an interest in Law Enforcement. I wanted to go into the FBI, CIA, or, most recently, the Secert Service. However, the money is not here. I feel that I truly want to be here, but if I cannot live comfortably, I do not feel as though it is worth it.

Thirdly, possibly the most farfetched idea, would be something along the lines of real estate developing. I have no idea how to go about doing this, so I am open to all ideas.

Please, do not tell me that I am too young to be thinking of this, because it will eat away at me.

I am open to ALL ideas! Thanks!

Answer 1

You aren't going to do any of those jobs next year, but the best thing you can do is get a taste for them and see if you like them. While in high school, you can try and get a taste for those things to see if you'd be a good fit. Some general advice is to read professional magazines for those industries, job shadow people, and make choices that prepare you for them.

Here's some ideas for those three categories:
1) Law enforcement: You'll want to look at colleges with good criminal justice programs. Agencies like those also really want people with degrees in the hard sciences, like computer science, chemistry, biology, and for the FBI, accounting. The CIA wants people with foreign language skills, so if your interest is there, learn a critical needs language. For federal law enforcement and intelligence, the most important thing is THE CHOICES YOU MAKE. Steer clear of drugs and shady characters, because these agencies do extensive background checks to make sure you're a good candidate to trust with American secrets. Go on police ride alongs to see what they do, and when you get to college, all of those agencies have extensive internship programs.

Medicine: This is a huge commitment, so make sure you want to go into it before you go to med school. Physics is one of the hardest parts of the pre-med track, so try to take it in high school and get a head start. Going into medicine for the title and the money isn't a 'wrong' reason - whether or not they admit it, that's why most doctors are there. Just make sure that's enough motivation to get through med school. Volunteer at a hospital to get exposure to the field.

Real Estate Development: Even in high school, you can get a job in construction. From there, ask to job shadow the developers. Business sense is the most valuable here, so its something to study in college. In the mean time, read the Real Estate section of your local newspaper and the various construction trade journals in your area. You might also want to make some connections with existing developers, who can show you the ropes. Most people become developers after working as brokers or contractors first, because they need to develop a reputation to get banks to fund them.

The most important thing, though, is to remember that you're young, and your idea of your dream job will change a lot throughout the next 15 years. Try lots of things until you find something you like, and don't worry about it.

Answer 2

Hello,

I do not think that it is too early to be thinking of these things.

The road to an M.D. is not an easy one. You probably should not try this unless you really want it. You will need to have a tremendous interest in anatomy, biology, chemistry, etc. If these things do not interest you then I think that it will be very difficult to get accepted into medical school.

The law enforcement fields that you mention are very selective. To get into the FBI you probably will need to be a lawyer, a CPA or a computer expert. The CIA is even more selective. Believe it or not the Secret Service mostly deals with conterfieting of money, although some agents obviously also protect the President, etc. You will have to pass extensive and lengthly background investigations to get into any of these organizations. And I mean extensive and lengthly.

Real estate development can be interesting. You will probably need a business background with an emphasis in real estate for this career. Mostly certainly you will need a college degree for this choice, perhaps even a graduate degree.

If I can offer some advice. Most young people do not want to listen to older people, but just hear me out. Believe it or not, you should choose a career that you will enjoy doing. Yes, the money is important. But much more important is doing something that you enjoy doing. When you are older and you have to get up early every morning to go to work, week after week, month after month, year after year this will make more sense to you. The vast majority of people do not enjoy what they do for a living. I am not saying that every day should be filled with total happiness. But until you are doing something that you do not like/hate you will have no idea of how bad it can be.

Your ability to get along with people will have a tremendous impact on how successful you are in life. Trust me on this one. I cannot over emphasise how vitally important this is. No matter what you decide to do this will be the key.

You are at a great point in your life, even if it does not seem so right now. If someone told me this when I was 14 years old I would not have believed it either. Take the time to think about what I have said here. Don't just take my word for it. Talk to someone over the age of 30 , someone that you can talk honestly with, someone who will keep your conversation confidential. Show that person what I have written here and get their point of view. Please do this. It is very important. This will provide evidence to you that I am not just making this stuff up.

My best to you.

Answer 3

You sound like you are going to be a great man! It is never to young to get your life lined up right. So by the time its time for you to have to be on your own, you will be just fine. And you wont be 38 still living with your mom! But anyways... this will always be MY thing in life...and it is so real, so listen to me. Doctor makes alot of money, yeah whatever, but if you are not happy, you are going to be stuck in that field for the rest of your life and you are going to be miserable. You will soon realize that the money is not worth the misery. Honestly. When you are doing something you love to do, the money just comes...almost like something extra! You are getting paid to do what you love! Doing something you love becomes a PART of LIFE, not a job. Hope this helps! (FBI money isnt so bad either...especially if you stick with it for some time)

Answer 4

Please do not advertise 10 points when you post your question. I find it offensive, and others might too. I don't answer questions for the points, although I find it fun when I get the 'best answer' e-mail. But it doesn't motivate me in the least, frankly.
Ask Marilyn, the column written by the smartest woman in the world, carried this question. Her advice was to take the job that paid the best, and then do everything else you want to do after working hours. She said she knew lots of artists, for example, who regretted their career choice--they were fulfilled but starving. Camille Pissarro comes to mind, his family truly starved while he painted.
It's impressive that you--at 14, is it?--have thought so much about this already.
Have you taken a persoality test and then seen what careers match your personality? You may as well. Go to humanmetrics.com for the free test, then personalitypage.com for the careers, etc.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I urge you to contact the local BAR association of your state if you are interested in a career in law or law enforcement. (I personally recommend a career as an attorney.) Most good law schools will let you sit in on classes and observe. At the law school that I attend, you will even be able to participate in the classes.
Also, if you are interested in law enforcement, contact the local law enforcement agencies nearest you. Most of them have Mentorship programs. You may wish to join the Explorers. This is a nation wide group of youth, with an interest in law enforcement, that actually participate in police investigations (usually searching for missing people).
There are MANY options available to you, but keep in mind that in making your decision there is federal financial aid available to pay for the required education. Don't let the cost of the education worry you. It can be paid for, and quite easily.
Please, contact professionals and organizations that you are interested in. They will usually be open to helping you out. If not, they will direct you to people who can help you. Trying things out for yourself can really help you decide what you want to do.
I wish you the very best!

Answer 6

I understand what you feel. People should not underestimate you, that's just wrong. The thing is, no matter how good the money is, you will not like the job, if it does not interest you. So, whatever career path you take, you must love it, but at the same time, it should preferably be in a "good" money range. Those two conditions may be hard to put in use because, well, it's difficult to find a job like so. But keep on searching, I assure you will find it. Good luck!

Answer 7

dude when i was 14 i enjoyed life, enjoy chicks and enjoyed being young, not even when i was 18 did i even think about what you are thinking about

I know this isnt what you want to hear but believe it or not, you only have one life, your teenage life is the best years of your life, enjoy it while you can. Look at me im 25 and i have a stupid desk job that i hate, but i do it anyways because i need the money... You ur 14! you dont have to worry about it because you shouldnt. You cant do the things at 25 that you can do when ur a teen. you cant ding dong ditch peoples houses at 25, you cant go the school dance at 25, you cant have your first kiss at 25 (god i hope not), your 14 and you still have time to do all those things. Life only gets worse and more complicated from here on out

Answer 8

I'm not going to tell you you're too young--it's never to early to be planning!

I am, however, going to give you the advice given to me at that age that has helped me to find a career that I love.

"Whatever you choose as a career, make sure you are doing something that turns you on, something that makes you want to get up in the morning."

In other words, don't do something for the money. What you're doing is saying, "I'll do this thing I HATE for 40 years just because I'll get to live in a fancy house and drive a show-off car."

That has always been what has driven my career decisions, and that is why I recommend it to you. Research the three career options (median salaries, location of schools, amount of school needed, job availability), try to "job shadow" a few people in each field (with the goal of making connections AND seeing if the job is really a "fit" for you), and measure your skills, abilities, and strengths against those required in each field. As you get older, try to get internships, and do reports on the fields. Do as much as you can when you're this age to educate yourself about the jobs.

Plus, you'd be surprised at how far good money management skills do for you, especially if you are happy in your career. You won't need as much "stuff" to make you happy, and with good money skills, you're salary will go further.

Best of luck and way to go for thinking about this stuff right now! (Just be sure to enjoy not having bills and responsibilities... :) )

Answer 9

It's good you are giving serious thought to your future, but a little early to panic about it. Possibly try to find people in the fields you are interested in and ask them questions. Whatever you decide, give it your best and it'll be the right thing for you.

Answer 10

If you are serious about helping people, then it shouldn't be about the money. That is the problem with todays doctors, they are in it for the money, not to help people. The first part of the hypocratic oath is..do no harm, not make a lot of money.
If you are in it just for the money, then you need to rethink your priorities.
Seriously think about it. You still have some time left.