<p>As cliche as this sounds, for me the most important of getting a college degree was to be able to help others with what I learned, upon graduation and probably further study. I realize now that in fact virtually all professions help others in some way so now I’m wondering about how to create the optimal career path for me, the one that given my skills and interests could best help others. I guess what I am trying to ask is how does one become one of these people who make such a great contribution on society at large, either through medical, technological or cultural breakthroughs?
I feel like no matter how much work I put in, the only one this is really beneficial to is going to be myself (income). Whatever service I hope to provide through my future job, somebody else could do it. In short, I may only hope to be expendable. Sorry if my question seems so naive. Maybe I should just drop my ego down and accept reality, but doesn’t it still feel “wrong” to think about it that way? I think this is really too silly to be actually asked any other way than anonymously. Besides, is there anybody who can really answer this type of questions?
Thanks</p>
<p>Feel free to PM me - I have spent virtually my entire adult life trying to answer that question. I don’t have answers, but I have lots of experience.</p>
<p>Did you ever hear the saying “it only takes one”? Sometimes one person can make a difference, whether it’s for the whole world or only one other person. What can YOU offer? You are unique. It doesn’t matter how many other doctors, lawyers, or business people there are in the world. They aren’t you. All you can hope to be is the best YOU you can be (yes, that sounds really stupid and cheesey, but it’s true). You can’t set out trying to be the best at whatever it is you do or trying to set the world on fire. You need to figure out how you can best help others by just being you. It has to come from your heart. Just because you have a medical degree or law license, doesn’t mean you actually care about helping others. </p>
<p>Do you want to help others, or do you want to feel good about yourself? These are two different goals. The first step may be to stop confusing them.</p>
<p>Almost everyone is replaceable in various capacities. There is no shame in that. It matters less what specific profession you enter than the attitude with which you do your work. If you really live to serve others, you will always, always find opportunities to do so, whether you are a doctor, a stockbroker or an auto mechanic.</p>
<p>It matters less what specific profession you enter than the attitude with which you do your work. If you really live to serve others, you will always, always find opportunities to do so, whether you are a doctor, a stockbroker or an auto mechanic.</p>
<p>Be present & do your best work at what ever you happen to be doing.
Sounds like a Zen koan.</p>
<p>Work hard at something you enjoy. Save some money. Use that money as seed capital, becomming an entrepreneur. You will create jobs for others and allow them to lift themselves, changing their lives, and those of their children, forever.</p>