I believe that is is never to late to change what you would like to become in life. When we are young we are pulled in different directions as to what would be the best career for us. Those careers may then guide us into a different field that we would like to explore. I do not think that I would wish for a different physical characteristic that I could not change. I would focus my energy on this things that really matter in life. Positive attitude, courage, kindness, love, and peace are some of the few. I would focus my energy on myself, knowing that my actions may one day change others by seeing the difference I have made. What is trully important in life is not how we look, but how we treat others and ourselves.

I believe that is is never to late to change what you would like to become in life. When we are young we are pulled in different directions as to what would be the best career for us. Those careers may then guide us into a different field that we would like to explore. I do not think that I would wish for a different physical characteristic that I could not change. I would focus my energy on this things that really matter in life. Positive attitude, courage, kindness, love, and peace are some of the few. I would focus my energy on myself, knowing that my actions may one day change others by seeing the difference I have made. What is trully important in life is not how we look, but how we treat others and ourselves.

Hi Paula,

A great post and story. In my view, our society has changed and now pushes people at 18 into a career path with insufficient guidance and perhaps before they've actually found out "who they really are". This and the zeitgeist may lead to a limiting "pursue the money" approach. At least in the past, there was the family business or an apprenticeship which at the very least might have told someone who they are not.

I was also thinking pragmatically about the situation and the research that shows that a person who is happy and secure is more productive. There is a good deal more to this, including an increase in the probability of innovation, but the bottom line is that I think business also stands to benefit from the facilitation of movement along the lines you've described.

But how can one do it now?

As you know, I have been in the tech industry since I was a child, and I've enjoyed engineering early on and delivering technologies in senior management over the past decade. However, as you also know, I am self-taught in Neuroscience, Genetics, and a few other related topics, and becoming involved in pediatric neuroscience research is my one dream I don't want to pass to a regret.

But, with the financial responsibilities of two wonderful children at 5 and 20 months, and the living expenses of Jersey, making ends meet each month of my job search within my field is very difficult, let alone up and committing to school.

Thank you!
Scott

Paula,
I was at that party, with purple spiked hair and a nose ring in my rock star fantasy (and I do remember some rather boring "ambitions!"). In reality, at that time I WAS fulfilling my lost ambition, having giving up a cushy corporate postiion to go back to school full time so that I could teach college. I even resisted the pressure and advice from the faculty to focus on research and instead ended up doing what I wanted to do, which was to teach and advise young women. I couldn't be happier. You're never too old to be what you're destined to be!

Agreed Paula, there's no time like the present to change your life! The last thing we want is to have regrets when it's too late.