26 and Still Unsure About Life/Career Path

JDenise11 · 27-01-2015, 03:26 PM

Hello everyone, I was wondering if I could get some advice or words of wisdom on this. I'm 26 and it feels like I'm at a "stand still" in life. I graduated from college back in 2011 with a B.S degree in Biochemistry with honors (cum laude). My original goals were to go to graduate school and get my Ph.D. For the following two years, I did an internship and completed a post baccalaureate program at another institution. In 2013, I finally got into graduate school for a Ph.D in biomedical science. Unfortunately, I couldn't handle the intensity of the program and dropped out (miserably). I was so embarrassed and depressed over this, but I know that it's not the end of the world.
A couple of months after dropping out of grad school, I worked as a temp at a biotech company for a 3 month assignment. After that was over, I re-located to another state to work at a different biotech company in which I'm currently working full time as an Associate Lab Technician. Yeah, I know :( . The pay isn't absolutely terrible but it's definitely not the best either. Right now, it's a safety net until I can find something better....which leads me to my next paragraph.
I want to live a comfortable life while doing what I love. Despite me dropping out of grad school, I still have a desire to go back and try it again...but this time on a Master's level and then maybe try the Ph.D thing again afterwards. But I'm still a little traumatized over my negative experience and I have doubts on whether I should continue on the Life Sciences path. I almost let it completely destroy my self-esteem and self-confidence. I was thinking about just going to nursing school and becoming an RN, then later Nurse Practitioner or CRNA. Though the money would be better than what I'm doing currently, deep down I don't feel I have a strong passion for nursing. I want to stay in the life sciences and continue to work in the biotech or biopharm arena but I'm just not 100 percent sure if this would ultimately be the correct path for me.
I've been on this road for a while and I honestly don't know what else I should do other than to go back to college and earn a B.S in something else. If so, then in what? I feel like my life is passing me by and I'm still not completely solid in my career plans or what I ultimately want to do in life. Please, any advice is welcome. And sorry for the long post!

Thank you for reading

Iamcatbug · 27-01-2015, 03:37 PM

Hey, don't panic about your age it is just a number. I am 27 and have only recently decided on a career path myself. Indeed I actually only finished my B.A degree last year! I'm actually doing a masters degree myself and love it.

I wonder, you've listed several things you've contemplated doing... have you looked into gaining some sort of experience in nursing to see if it is something you could do? I'm aware that nursing might be difficult to get work experience in, but maybe there is a way to see how it works and get advice, input from people who are in that career to see if it is suitable for you.

Also , in terms of the masters, if you decided to go down that route, could you maybe contact the university you are looking at and see about the course? Or even an open day or something where you could go in and see it. Remember, just because your first experience at postgraduate study fell through, it doesn't mean that it will again.

Another point is, if the work load is too much at full time for the masters, would you be able to do it part time? That is what I am doing with mine, and it has made my life so much easier with studying.

I hope some of this helps.

JDenise11 · 28-01-2015, 04:41 PM

Iamcatbug, thanks for the reply :) I just recently graduated from a CNA program and thought that this would be a good entry step into the nursing arena (just to see if I have the patience and the passion for taking care of people). I wanted to do this part time to supplement my other job. But I'm not 100% sold on going back for a BSN, even if it's accelerated, then going for my MSN and then ultimately DNP or CRNA license. This would take years (6-10 avg) and I would like to be completely settled and financially comfortable in my career no later than 32. And don't get me started on the extra loans...but I already accepted that this would be unavoidable at this point. If you don't mind me asking, what are you getting your Master's in? And how did you find your passion and the courage to pursue it?

Iamcatbug · 28-01-2015, 07:19 PM

I'm doing it in English Literature.

I decided within a week of starting my undergraduate degree that I wanted to do a masters degree. But as I did struggle with full time study at undegraduate I am doing the masters part time, which has made it a lot easier.

But I'm not sure where the passion for it has come from, I suppose it stems from my love of reading and writing and my love of learning about these things.which in turn give me courage to do it.

Aardbei · 29-01-2015, 07:03 PM

I'm 24 and have just finished my Masters in Psychology so I can answer questions about that if you like.

I just wanted to say, from reading your post it seems you are the most enthusiastic and committed to a career in life sciences, and I definitely think pursuing it is worth it if it's what you want. Just because it didn't work out the first time doesn't mean it's impossible - it's knocked your confidence, but the fact you're now considering doing a Masters to ease your way in shows you're thinking of ways you can adapt and adjust things to still achieve your goal. I would advise going to speak to the university or college you're considering and seeing what they suggest. Are there part time options for when you do progress to the PhD? What measures can they put in place to support you?

If you have a dream, you should absolutely pursue it because even if it doesn't work out you know you tried. 26 is still young so try not to worry about that! I wish you all the luck in the world and my inbox is always open x x x

Ballerina123 · 30-01-2015, 06:19 PM

Could you become a pharmacist?
Not sure where your from and funding and stuff?

If you really wanna do your phd thought I would encourage you to reapply. You could be in a better place to do it now.

If it makes you feel any better im 28 and still havnt got my undergrad degree. Still looking for a career too. X

Tabilock · 31-01-2015, 11:59 PM

I dnt know much about uni but what I will say is I considered going into nursing and did a job as a nursing assistant to see whether it was for me and it really was not. It is a very emotional and draining job and unless you have a passion for it you may not be able to do it long term.

Just my opinion x also I am 30 and still have no idea what I am doing x