- Finding a job in a medical environment
- Helping my parents finally retire
- Traveling
- Taking more healthcare-related classes
Finding a job in a medical environment. The pros of finding a job in the medical environment is that it would offer me knowledge, experience, and on-the-job training that would definitely benefit me prior to PA school. Discussions and topics in PA school would be easier to relate to and understand with what I gain out of the job. I've experienced this when I shadowed Dr. M and PA Mike in the pulmonary clinic and orthopedic clinic, respectively. The cons is that if I were to take on a job there, I'd only be making close to minimum wage which right now is $7.25/hr. Sure, if I were 21 years old still and fresh out of college about to start graduate school, this would be fine, but I am 26 years old and am ready for a position with more responsibilities and something where I can utilize what I've gained from my previous education. I thought about getting a professional level's job with my MBA and undergraduate degree in Management from GA Tech, but who's going to hire someone for just 9 months? Should I disregard the financial issue of the job and take advantage of the opportunity to get ahead before PA school?
Helping my parents finally retire. When I moved back down to Valdosta after GA Tech, my main motive was to help my parents retire. It seemed like my being down here only fueled their ambition to do more which was the total opposite of my reason for moving back to Valdosta. Currently, with my father reaching close to becoming 'senior citizen' status, we are looking forward to taking advantage of discounts at hotels, memberships and the blue bird specials at restaurants. :) Additionally, it's nice to know that my father's healthcare will be not as expensive since he will be qualified to apply for Medicare. So, the pros of helping my parents retire is that I can help reorganize their businesses and sell off unnecessary assets so that things will be simpler for them to manage when I move to Miami. Moreover, I can rest assure when I leave for PA school that they have a lot less on their hands to take care of. Furthermore, I can utilize my business experiences and education towards this initiative. The cons is that I would be creating a stunt in my growth for medical experience. In addition, as Benji has brought to my attention, there's a slight possibility that my direction in my career may change again if I am too deep into the businesses.
Traveling. Who doesn't love to travel? Oh, I would love to travel everywhere! I've been telling some friends that I will see them, but I haven't had the chance to complete this desire yet. For the past five years, I've wanted to visit friends in Vienna, Washington D.C., Hong Kong to visit my grandma, and Boston, but school or work will always find a way to keep me grounded. If I don't have either of them next semester, I might as well get a big ole back pack and go through Europe solo, right? :) That would be so nice. The only thing is that, I would feel bad for neglecting some responsibilities I have now in Valdosta and the number one reason is that I don't have any money. haha. hmm...maybe I should have thought of that first.
Taking more healthcare-related classes. It would be nice to advance in my medical education. There are a couple of classes I'm interested in taking like pharmacology, virology, molecular biology, or comparative vertebrate anatomy. The only thing is that these class credits don't transfer and it's not totally needed for PA school, though it would help me with my future career as a PA. Additionally, the thought of taking more classes while working just makes me tired all over again. I think I would like a break before 2.5 more years of school.
Well, even though I don't know what I'll be doing next year between school down time yet, at least I know that I am going to be so happy after this semester of microbiology and genetics will be done with. woohoo!
