The Dichotomy: Jobs and Careers

20 years ago, if someone were to mention that virtual reality could have applications in the Medical field, you probably would have been laughed out of town.

Within the last decade or so, there has been a paradigm shift between the concept of a “job” and “career”. This may or may not be the case for many people, but coming from a cultural background that has preconceived notions about what these are, I feel it’s important to address these issues.

Let me provide a little more insight into this.
“You have to choose one path, and stick with it for the rest of your life”
“A job is a job”
“You’re doing to many things, you have to pick one”

Now, I understand there is some truth to these concepts, and I know many people will disagree with this, but ask yourself; In today’s modern world, do these concepts really hold as much weight as they did decades ago? We are living in a time where industries, companies, career fields are becoming increasingly intertwined opening the door to countless opportunities for our generation. There is no longer a “pre-determined ladder” to exactly what you want to do. There are countless ways for someone in a field such as virtual reality and augmented reality, to provide a valuable benefit to the medical field, specifically with residents as many medical schools have already implemented.

Now I admire those who have the passion to become a doctor, dentist, PA, etc, and I have much respect for them. But there is a stigma in some cultures that seek to diminish the passion of the young, bright, and talented students who, if given the choice, would choose to go into programming, engineering, sales, marketing, operations, and countless other fields. The problem lies with the heavily overused term, “stability”. What is stability? Having a secure job, whether or not it’s your passion, and coming home every day with that paycheck and doing it over again the next day, and the next, and the next. Without passion, that’s a recipe for an unfulfilling life.

The concept of investing in yourself, taking a chance, doing what you love, and not knowing exactly what lies ahead (although a general direction is advised) still remains such a foreign and absurd concept to people. The thrill lies in the fact that you have so many possibilities that depend on each decision you make. The journey, not the destination. That’s what matters to some people. It is a result of the modern age, the rapid advancement of technology, and the plethora of online educational resources at the palm of your hand that can take you almost anywhere. Have you ever started driving without a destination in mind?

It pains me to see the prevalence of these outdated notions suppress the brilliant minds of young adults, out of pressure and fear of their personal environments. Yes, sometimes they may fail, and they do, but one of the risks associated with going this route is having the ability to be accountable for your own failures. That’s the price we pay, but the upside is endless.

I firmly believe that this needs to change, but how? I don’t know, I don’t have the answer to that. It will take time, but after seeing first-hand countless instances of these scenarios, I believe it’s important to bring this to light.

I understand that my piece may warrant significant criticism, and I embrace that and encourage you to share your voice.