Imagine me holding a scalpel

Introduction

During my time in college, I faced a significant career transition. Initially, I set out on a pre-med track, driven by the ambition to become a doctor. However, as I progressed through my studies, I encountered challenging coursework that led me to reassess my aspirations. To my surprise, I discovered a growing passion for marketing, which felt far removed from the medical field.

As I navigated this newfound interest, I found myself in a peculiar situation: I had been lying to my parents about my academic pursuits. Up until my graduation, they remained convinced that I was still on the pre-med path, diligently studying subjects like physics and biochemistry. They would often send me encouraging messages asking about my progress in these subjects, all while I was immersed in marketing concepts like the product life cycle and foundational marketing principles.

The revelation came in my junior year. As my parents began to inquire about med school applications, I knew it was time to come clean. I finally admitted my true passion for marketing. The reaction from my family was one of shock, particularly from my grandfather, who was visibly upset. He reacted incredulously, expressing his belief that marketing was akin to theater, implying a lack of seriousness compared to a medical career.

This journey of discovering my true calling in the world of marketing, while navigating family expectations and the fear of disappointing loved ones, was an intense but ultimately rewarding experience. I learned the importance of following my passions, even if it came at the cost of familial expectations.

Keyword

• Pre-med
• Marketing
• Career transition
• College
• Physics
• Biochemistry
• Family expectations
• Product life cycle

FAQ

Q1: Why did you switch from pre-med to marketing?
A1: I discovered my passion for marketing during my studies and found the coursework in that field more engaging than the challenging pre-med classes.

Q2: How did your parents react to your change in career path?
A2: My parents were shocked, especially my grandfather, who had a strong belief that a medical career was more prestigious and serious compared to marketing.

Q3: What did you learn from this experience?
A3: I learned the importance of pursuing my true passions, even when it meant confronting and potentially disappointing family expectations.

Q4: What were some of the hard subjects you faced in pre-med?
A4: I faced challenging courses like physics and biochemistry, which contributed to my decision to shift to a different field.