Essay

So I decided to try to go back to college, and eventually medical school. Here is the essay I wrote for the admissions folks about my decision (some information redacted!):



The decision to change careers was not an easy choice to make, yet in a way, it was the easiest one I’ve ever made. During my undergraduate work at [some NYC school], I had one main goal: obtain my engineering degree then find a solid and stable position to begin my professional career. I succeeded in achieving that goal and for the past two years, I’ve been happily engaged as an engineer working for the government [doing stuff] in the City and State of New York. My work is secure and interesting. It is challenging and often rewarding. However, I feel that my career is just a job and I quickly realized that I could never, truly be passionate about engineering.
In retrospect, it probably should have been easy for me to listen to my passion from the beginning and set goals that were worthier than simply trudging down a career path that lead only to job security, but no zeal about my future or my work. In fact, all along I’ve been walking down two paths simultaneously. These paths led side-by-side for a long, long time, but when they finally diverged, I realized I was stuck on the path that led to the place I find myself now, a comfortable but unfulfilling existence.
It wouldn’t be accurate to say that I “suddenly realized” the path that I wanted to follow, or that I had a “revelation,” because I really knew the truth all along. I knew that I wanted to enter the field of medicine, go to medical school, and become a physician for a long time. Starting from the first semester of my first year in college, I have been involved with EMS, the Emergency Medical Service. By the end of the term, after taking the class on campus, I was certified as an EMT. My involvement with EMS has been a large and constant part of my life ever since. I started as the low man on the totem pole at my college’s volunteer ambulance, and upon graduation, I had achieved the highest rank there was in the Corps: Crew Chief. But it went beyond that – during my summers off, I worked as a volunteer from my parent’s house in Upstate New York with the local fire department. I also became involved as the [big-wig? no thatr's not right] for a non-profit organization: the [some EMS organization].
After I earned my degree, one of the first things I did was to enroll in Paramedic school, an intense 12-month educational experience. The process of becoming a Paramedic was eye-opening. I learned to practice a new level of clinical medicine and I loved it! I did observations in nearly every department in the hospital, and learned skills like starting IVs, intubation, reading and interpreting EKGs, treating heart attacks, and giving medications in response to a patient’s distress. It was also during this year in Paramedic school, through interacting with doctors on a regular basis that I finally knew that I could never work as an engineer for the rest of my life.
My current place in life has me again walking two paths. I now work full-time in my regular and non-changing engineering job. I am also working part-time in [hem, ahem!] in the dynamic setting of a Paramedic. I enjoy being a Paramedic, but I am eager to learn and do even more. There are now people alive on this earth that would not be here today if I hadn’t been beside them. There are also people who have died because I wasn’t able to intervene, because the training of a Paramedic is limited and the skills and procedures that we perform do not address every situation.
Becoming an engineer was difficult, and an arduous journey itself. It was difficult deciding to turn my back on a promising career. I am aware of the challenges that await me. I know that a high-level of academic achievement is required. However, I will succeed. I have never felt more determined and eager for the future. It is time for me to leave the path that is warm, comfortable, and smooth all the way to retirement, and return to the path full of potholes, challenges, and excitement – the correct and true path. I know that every obstacle I overcome is a step in the right direction.