Contemplating withdrawing from grad school

[maryann]

Hi there

I am 24 years old and just started grad school to get my MSc in geology in January (3 months ago). I moved across the country to go to this school. Since then I havent taken any courses or done much research (my research is looking at rocks in south america and 3 days before i was supposed to leave i broke my leg..... so I couldn't go). I went into grad school for four reasons. 1) I didn't know what else to do with my life; 2) I had an awesome scholarship to do grad work; 3) I thought I might want to pursue academia or teaching in a college as a future career; and 4) the project in south america was going to be an amazing life experience. Since February when I broke my leg I really I have started thinking about what I am doing as a grad student. I still have 2 years ahead of me, and have to do a lot of work in geology. The truth of the matter is, I just don't REALLY like geology at all. The work environment at my school is very research intensive and the people are nice but not social. I am a very social person, and am feeling quite isolated. I have gone to career councilling at school and did some career tests and reflecting, and I have come to the conclusion I need to go into a career that involves working with and helping people. Yeah - a big change from geology. I want to go to teacher's college and become a high school teacher instead. I would like to move back to my home town to do this.

I'm so scared though. I'm scared of disappointing my professor and I'm scared of making another mistake in my life. But I am just so unhappy where I am and cannot see my MSc leading to anywhere in my life that I want to be where I can truly be a happy person.

Has anyone ever been in this situation? Can you provide any insight?

Thanks in advance for your help - it is SUPER appreciated.

[Manomanman]

I'm in my 5th year of grad school in psychology. I feel like the CEO's who are getting ulcers right now due to economy crashing...except I don't have a gigantic pile of cash to show for it. In other words, it's tons of stress with little to show for it. In about a year, I'll have 3 letters behind my name which improve my "earning ability" by almost nothing.

However, I have had some exposure to some AWESOME intellectual growth that very people will ever have had. My public speaking, teaching, and writing skills are polished as they'll ever be.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have started web-based businesses my freshman year of college, 8 years ago.

Steve Pavlina would likely advise you figure out where you're going next before you drop out of where you are.

[Bole]

You should do whatever you want to do. You do not account to anyone so there is no such a thing as dissapointing others. The only person in the world you will have to answer questions when you will be old is you.

So live your life accoring to your own expectations and not accoring to expectations of others. If you feel like changing carrer do it and stick to your decision, no remorses, nothing, you did your best.

[Kaspian]

Make your decision based on what you want, not because you're reluctant to disappoint or upset someone else. It's *you* you have to live with for the rest of your life, not your professor.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

Steve Pavlina would likely advise you figure out where you're going next before you drop out of where you are.

I've read in a few places that Steve give the advice that it's ok to quit what you're doing that is wrong, and then figure out what to do.

[magi13]

Originally Posted by maryann

Hi there

I am 24 years old and just started grad school to get my MSc in geology in January (3 months ago). I moved across the country to go to this school. Since then I havent taken any courses or done much research (my research is looking at rocks in south america and 3 days before i was supposed to leave i broke my leg..... so I couldn't go). I went into grad school for four reasons. 1) I didn't know what else to do with my life; 2) I had an awesome scholarship to do grad work; 3) I thought I might want to pursue academia or teaching in a college as a future career; and 4) the project in south america was going to be an amazing life experience. Since February when I broke my leg I really I have started thinking about what I am doing as a grad student. I still have 2 years ahead of me, and have to do a lot of work in geology. The truth of the matter is, I just don't REALLY like geology at all. The work environment at my school is very research intensive and the people are nice but not social. I am a very social person, and am feeling quite isolated. I have gone to career councilling at school and did some career tests and reflecting, and I have come to the conclusion I need to go into a career that involves working with and helping people. Yeah - a big change from geology. I want to go to teacher's college and become a high school teacher instead. I would like to move back to my home town to do this.

I'm so scared though. I'm scared of disappointing my professor and I'm scared of making another mistake in my life. But I am just so unhappy where I am and cannot see my MSc leading to anywhere in my life that I want to be where I can truly be a happy person.

Has anyone ever been in this situation? Can you provide any insight?

Thanks in advance for your help - it is SUPER appreciated.

This is your life, it's an important choice to make, especially if it's for your future.

My advice is that you weight your options carefully and decide.

Ex.

Geology Other option
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
...

You rank it from 1 - 10 with ten being the highest. This will give you an holistic view of your future.

Interview people from both sides of the fence and compare your data afterwards.

When your future is at stake, it's time to get serious. So that you'll have no regrets, only you can decide that for you. It's your responsibility. We can't make that decision but we can nudge you to the right decision.