Should i pursue this study or is it too late?

12 Comments

I really like the study of genetics (flaws, mutations, resistance), disease, vaccines and medical developments dealing with cures/vaccines. I've never studied this formally, however I read about it with interest and think about it a great deal. I don't think I really realized I liked it so much untill fairly recently, but always I've had a knack for it.

Example: It was 1987. I was about 9 and in 4th grade. My teacher was talking about brain cells, and how if you kill brain cells, you cannot gain them back. This teacher also happened to be very pregnant at the time. My FIRST thought was, a mother creates brain cells in her unborn child-how can this be useful??!! Back then, there was no talk of stem cells (I'm sure it was probably in development, but it was never in the news or anything, and certainly a 9 year old wouldn't think of such a thing!). That meant something to me!! Still does.

Things such as that occur to me all the time. I have a problem-solving mind and I like to experiment. I'd love nothing more than to help find cures and vaccines.

BUT-the study time for this career field is daunting. I'm almost 33!! I feel like my time has passed. I also do not have much money to afford such schooling, and I have young kids. I just kind of feel like everything is against me and I can't do it.

I also live a very simple lifestyle, I am a rural person, I am into envoronmental stuff and in a way this study and the pursuit of it conflicts with my lifestyle choices.

Please (!!) comment if you have started a career later in life, that would be helpful. Tell me your experiences, good and bad!!

What would you do?? What do you think??

Go for it! 28
It's too late. 5
It's too conflicting with an envronmentalist lifestyle. 1
It's possible, but not likely, maybe not worth pursuing it. 5
There's other ways to get there besides years in school. (explain) 3
Other (Add a comment) 0
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Comments ( 12 )
  • dappled
    12 years ago

    It's never too late. I dropped Biology at school as soon as I could, in favour of Physics and Chemistry. I work in the medical/educational field now, though, and have picked it up via osmosis. I also got to play a very, very, very minor part in the human genome project, which I am insanely proud of even though my contribution was infinitesimal.

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  • [Old Memory]
    10 years ago

    Holy shit! You sound like an older version of me, I plan on being a genetic engineer, genetics are so fascinating! Go for it!

    This made my day:) have an awesome day, you fellow genetics-lover you. This post was made two years ago, so I am curious to see how your dream is going!

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  • sugarbunny772
    12 years ago

    It's never too late when it comes to education.Go for it!

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  • StarryEyed
    12 years ago

    As Kylie said; it's never too late.

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  • joybird
    12 years ago

    I was over 40 before I discovered I could teach dyslexic children how to read in a few weeks when the 'experts' couldn't teach them in years. This was because of my own son and now I've lost count of the number of children I've helped. Funnily enough I've discovered I love children and have a real passion for teaching. At least you know what you are passionate about, go for it and be happy!

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    Do.What.You.Desire.

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  • Narutofan
    12 years ago

    This could be an add on to environmental studies, such as studying various mutations in different species of wildlife based on environmental impact from sources such as pollution.

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  • 4392Moron
    12 years ago

    It is never to late to persue your dreams, I am 57 an retired and I am learning what always sounded like fun when I retired and that is computer programmes. So you are not to old, maybe with your lifestyle you could get some state funded grants, or maybe with your brain could get stated appointed scholarships. Hope this the correct things for the States.

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  • Tarkio
    12 years ago

    I think people should have at least 2 careers. Usually people in their 2nd career are much better with what they do.

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  • Chillpill
    12 years ago

    I think it's great to have such passion for a subject. Is there such a thing as distance study in your country? Have you looked for online courses? There are so many resources online. I downloaded a Yale psychology course from itunes and learned so much.
    I don't know anything about the career opportunities in this field, but I think you should keep pursuing this passion in some way, even if just as a hobby.

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    Well, I'm not really sure what you mean by 'environmentalist' lifestyle, or why that would conflict with studying genetics?

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      12 years ago

      Chemicals used, energy used, medical and other waste created, possible harm from testing and experimenting on living things, travel to and from school among many, many other things.

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