I have been having trouble keeping up with my process blog for the simple fact that I have so much to process in my personal life (that is definitely affecting my writing).
For the past year and a half, I have been wrestling with the direction I wish to pursue after graduation. I KNOW that I want to work in the Sciences - no change of major is necessary. However, like Robert Plante crooned in Stairway to Heaven, "there are two paths you can go by; but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on. And it makes me wonder". And it does make me wonder...in fact, I have been wondering for the last 18 months...and I finally made my decision.
This writing class has taught me more than how to improve my craft for online audiences; it has taught me that I really, really, miss writing; miss working in Communications; and that I do not wish to simply abandon my first degree because I will have attained a second. Which is why I have "changed the road I'm on". (Good Lord, how I HATE ending a sentence with a preposition!).
As a Science student, my goal was to work in a research lab. As a Science Tutor, I found my heart yearning to teach what others have researched. I tried to convince myself that I could do both - first, a career in research; then teaching, after retirement. I think I may have been able to convince myself that this path was okay, too. I know I convinced myself of it long enough to attain my A.S. in General Science, as opposed to the easier A.A. (which truly is the science equivalent of a degree in basket-weaving).
I do not regret my A.S.; in fact, I am happy I got it; because it was in attaining the degree that I discovered I was capable of all I thought I could not accomplish - namely, A's in Algebra and Chemistry, and pass Calculus I with a better than decent grade. However, I now stand at a crossroads: If I were to stay on the path of Research, a B.S. in Biological Sciences would be the minimum educational requirement. If I took the path of Scientific Communications - either as a teacher or as a Public Relations Officer for a Biotech company - a B.A. would suffice. The only problem with a B.A. is that Scientists look down on it.
Just like PhD's will look down on the person who "only" has a Masters degree, a B.S. in Science will look down on a B.A., assuming that they "couldn't hack" the rigors of the B.S. program. I know in my heart that this is not true - as I was sitting in my Organic Chemistry lecture I discovered that in spite of the fact that I was fascinated by the subject, I had no desire to study it to the depth required of a B.S. student. The following week, however, I felt myself light up as I assisted one of my classmates through a problem of some difficulty. When he told me "you make this stuff easy", I knew that it was time to change the road I was on and pursue the B.A. in Biology; with a possible minor in writing - just to keep my other B.A. fresh!
Re-reading this post, it all sounds so simple; and yet it took me two full weeks of pure thought-processing to reach this point: the point where I can put into concise and understandable words exactly what has been possessing my mind to the detriment of all other projects.
I am having the exact same path confusion as you. I started out in 2009 as an A.A. in Science for Histotechnician. Then over the summer, after having successful articles in the student newspaper, but also a love of research and feeling that I would love to help cure Alzheimer's and Autism, I starting thinking. Then due to an issue with dexterity could not be a Histotech. Even though I was initially disappointed, but also though this was perfect. So just like you, I am getting (and actually only 2 classes away from) getting my A.A in General Studies. This plus the classes I have taken in both 1997-1998 and 2009-now allow me to transfer to a 4 year in whatever I want to persue. I am proud of you for continuing school and following your many dreams. Good Luck.
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