Choosing a career to become closer to yourself

This month I interviewed Mei-jen, a student at the Traditional Chinese Medical College of Hawai’i who is studying to become an acupuncturist and herbal practitioner. She recommends choosing a path and sticking with it, and advices our readers to “try as many different things as you can to make the right choice for your future.” If working in alternative health care is something you are passionate about, read on…

GPS Gal: What's your current course of study? What degree will you graduate with?

Mei-jen: Traditional Chinese Medicine. I’ll graduate with a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine.

GPS Gal: How long is your program of study? Where are you going to school? 

Mei-jen: My program is 3 and 2/3 years or 11 trimesters. I am going to school at the Traditional Chinese Medical School of Hawai'i on the Big Island of Hawai'i.

GPS Gal: Why did you choose this subject/career path? How did you make this choice? 

Mei-jen: I chose this path to help people heal with less invasive medicine. I made this choice with time, 10 years thinking it over and looking at all the options available.

GPS Gal: What's the most interesting thing about what you are learning?

Mei-jen: That Traditional Chinese Medicine is deeper than the widest ocean. It is full of so much information, history, poetry, theory, art, perspectives, and studies, that one would never get bored with the medicine.

GPS Gal: What are you planning to do with your studies? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Mei-jen: I am planning to continue my studies, become a better practitioner. I hope to be an established acupuncturist and herbalist and mother creating a healing sanctuary for my family and others.

GPS Gal: How important is it to you that you enjoy your job or career in the future? Did you consider this when you made this choice?

Mei-jen: It is very important that I enjoy my journey with myself into the future. I did consider this with myself before I started on this journey. I chose this path to become closer to myself and also to become a professional in one area. I chose Traditional Chinese Medicine. Choose something and stick with it.

GPS Gal: How did you choose your college? What 5 elements were the most important to you?

Mei-jen: A high school classmate, who used to cheat off me in math class recommended TCMCH to me. The five things that were important were: 1. Student loan funding 2. A new climate zone, that I had never lived in before 3. Different instructors from all different walks of life, experiences and backgrounds 4. Not in too much city, more country 5. Small college, where I wouldn't get lost and could be a part of it all.

GPS Gal: Do you have any piece of advice for girls in high school who are preparing to go to college about their educational or career choices?

Mei-jen: Be easy-going with yourself. Your hormones and emotions are leading you in certain directions. Have safe sex (or children), when you are ready, stay true to yourself, follow your own path, never give up. You will blossom and come into yourself with time, allow yourself to try as many different things as you can to make the right thorough choice as possible for your future.

GPS Gal: Do you have a mission (sense of purpose) for you life? If you could put it into a mission statement what would it be?

Mei-jen: My purpose is to live each day fully, give thanks for that day, and be able to be apart of the world I am living in through humanitarian efforts (medicine, art, and community)

GPS Gal: That’s beautiful Mei-jen. I love how you mission brings you back to how you want to live life on a daily basis, and is not only focused on the future. I’m sure you will be an excellent acupuncturist and herbalist. Good luck!

If you have a question about this interview or would like to learn more about this field of study, you can forward your questions to the GPS Gal.