"New Directions" by Nikolas C

 

My path to discovering what truly interests me, and to which career I want commit my

life has been much less straightforward than I had thought it would be. Since middle school I had always been deeply fascinated by the brain, its complexities, and how it controls the way we think and the decisions we make. For this reason I had my heart set on a career in neuroscience, driven by my desire to understand the biological mechanisms of the nervous system, without having to deal with the issues of a medical patient. What I was not prepared for however was a seemingly unrelated event to my career path to open my eyes to another route.

            It started when I was given the opportunity to co-teach an AP Statistics class for my old teacher Mrs. Yarbrough. I first saw it as an opportunity to improve my college resume, while continuing to work with a subject I had grown to love. I had began to work directly with students every day, leading them through the seemingly overwhelming world of statistics. I found myself explaining concepts, guiding students through correct answers and thought processes, and assisting with everyday practice assignments. Though I held a great fondness of the subject matter, the true joy of teaching statistics stemmed from the interpersonal dynamics it entailed. I truly enjoyed helping students in a genuine, human way. I remember working with a student who frequently struggled with the course content, and lost confidence in their ability to perform well on the first semester final. Despite this, through their willingness to put in the effort and my eagerness to help, we were able to greatly improve their understanding of the concepts through practice, allowing them to pass the final. It is experiences like these I would never have been able to experience had I not taken this opportunity.

            Through this experience I had began to question my earlier aspirations, wondering if simply researching neuroscience would be fulfilling enough for me. I still held the belief that there is nothing more interesting than the brain, and how it influences who we are, but I had started to realize that it was the way in which this knowledge helps people that is truly gratifying. Continuing my research on the work of a neuroscientist made me realize that while it is incredibly important, it does not align with my personal values. The idea of pursuing my passion without the possibility of working personally to help others seemed half baked, and something I was no longer interested in.

            This change in mindset led me to fully reconsider my career, which allowed me to discover the field of neuropsychiatry. The field was a perfect integration of scientific research with the interpersonal skills of working with others. A medical field seemed fitting as I could provide care for those in need while maintaining my passion for the brain and its function. In contrast to neuroscience, where research is the primary (and essentially only) focus, neuropsychiatrists build personal relationships with their patients, having serious discussions regarding thought processes, and mental health.
            The more I reflected on neuropsychiatry the more it appealed to me, presenting itself as a medical specialty in which I could make a real change in people’s lives not only by studying the biological aspect of the brain, but also by talking to patients about emotional and psychological aspects of the brain. The ability to work with patients individually and assist them through treatment is something that enticed me in a way neuroscience did not, and this is a fact I would have never discovered had I not made the decision to co teach statistics.

            As I had mentioned, I initially saw co teaching as an opportunity to boost my academic resume, though it very quickly influenced a significant change in my life’s trajectory. It allowed me to discover that I had a passion for helping others, and not necessarily just for research on biological mechanisms. Reflecting on this journey taught me that our lives’ paths are never linear. What we think about something at one point in our lives is never set in stone, and is heavily subject to change as we gain new knowledge and experiences. It is important that we are open to change, and allow ourselves to be guided by our passion, even if it takes us somewhere different than we had originally planned. It is this openness to change that allows us to find true passion.