The Q: I just received my undergrad degree this past May. I was a business major while in college, but I've always wanted to pursue medicine. I'm working now, but I've thought about going back to school and taking the required science courses for med school. I found a post-baccalaureate program at the university I attended for undergrad, but it's a year-long, full-time program. I will have to either quit my job and find a part-time job that pays a fairly decent wage or not pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. Which option is wiser?

The A: I feel really strongly that you should do what you're drawn to. Don't set yourself up to look back with regret.

What's the worst that happens if you go back? Some debt, a little financial hardship, maybe a year or two off a direct career path. But what happens if you don't? For the next 40+ years you'll wonder if you wouldn't have been happier as a doc. All the things you have to worry about if you go back to school are temporary - like being broke. But dissatisfaction is potentially permanent.

Talk to the HR folks at your company. Maybe they'll pay for you to take a single course while you're deciding and setting up your finances. Talk to your bank, a financial advisor or the financial aid people at your former school to try to figure out the financial side of things.

And when you are ready to leave your current job, make sure you leave on the very best of terms, in case you find out you like what you're doing now better than practicing medicine.

I hope you go for it! Let me know.

—Anahid Kassabian, Chief Advisor

© 2009 Virtually Advising, Inc.; All rights reserved. Whatever that means.Say Hi to the Webmaster.