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Hi. I am 16 years old currently in 12th std from Chandrapur, Maharashtra. My parents are doctors and have a good setup here. But I don't know why I never felt like being a doctor myself. I was always drawn towards literature and I still am. I know one can be a doctor and then write books but I never see myself handling two professions because writing is not just a hobby but much more to me. I know all the pros of being a doctor but I just feel it is not my cup of tea as I don't usually score good in science. However, it was always english which brought my overall score up and made me confident. Is it right to take up english literature as a career? Or are there any other choices which won't exactly need me to take medical but let me do what I want to?
@meghnamukherjee I think you can answer this in an interesting way
Hi There,
Interesting, you are pulled in between two career options.One that you wish to pursue and another inherent to you.
Of course, when it comes to a career choice, as a counselor, I would always suggests to you that choose what you wish to do than just taking a field halfheartedly.
As you have rightly mentioned, you can pursue both the career options Literature as well as a being a doctor.But here, you need to way your pros and cons.
As a literature Graduate, to establish yourself as a writer, there is a lot of struggle. Also reading and comprehending is a must. Knowledge about all and various fields is a must. At the same time, the struggling period is a never end process.
On the other hand, if you pursue medicine, your struggle is only during the studying period, which can be overcomes, since you have doctor parents as well as help from teachers and professors.And after you Graduate, you have a set-up already. This does not mean, you have to study medicine.
Another word of caution here is, you can study literature even after you get a medical degree, but not the other way round.Since literature requires thorough knowledge on various fields, you can then opt for medical writings too.You need not practice as a doctor, but the terminology required, especially medical terminology, during writing, no one can beat you there.
So in this way, you can get your dream of a writer also fulfilled.
Hope this will help you to make a decision.Wish you good luck............
Dear Aspirant,
I am highly impressed by your thinking for your career and having a very rational mind.
Though there is career struggle in the field of literature, it does not mean that you should become a Doctor and then shift or spend more time in literature. Please do not do Medicine for the sake of it if your heart is not telling you. It will be a waste of money, time, energy and your parents will be feel more bad if you take up literature after completing medicine.
Being in the literature field commands respect and identity and money too. Its upto what level you are contributing in the literature field.
English literature is vast and has good scope. I would suggest you to follow your heart and convince your parents if they have any other views.
A BA and MA and PhD in English Literature can take you to heights of career.
Best wishes,
Dr. Anand Wadadekar
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