I mentioned in my previous post that I did MSc in Applied Psychology. Those of you that know me must be wondering what I'm doing working in a computer-related field. Well, I changed my field of interest so many times.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a doctor. When I reached high school and actually studied Biology, I hated it. The only area that I liked in it was Genetics, which has nothing to do with Medicine. On the contrary, I loved Maths and Physics. So I opted for Pre-Engineering. I dreamt of becoming a computer engineer. But seems like I was destined for something else. I fell ill during final HSSC exams and hence couldn't do well. I wanted to take the exams again next year, so that I could get grades good enough for Engineering University. But instead my Mom convinced me not to waste a year and go for whatever's available. I wanted to take double Maths and Physics in my Bachelors, but that option was not available in the only girls college in Wah Cantt (where I was living at that time). My second option was double Maths and Stats, but even that was not given to me. So reluctantly I chose Statistics and Economics. But I found Economics too dull, didn't have aptitude for it. So after a few months, I switched over to Psychology. Coz by then, as a result of self-exploration, I had found out that I had a natural flair for this subject and could excel in it without effort. So I was just being lazy, eh! ;-) Actually I wanted to make use of my innate qualities.
After doing Masters in Applied Psychology, I wanted to go to the US for PsyD. But I didn't have the finances. So instead I opted for a Post-graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology from the Punjab University, which I quit midway as I didn't find it worth doing. I tried practising for a while, worked in a special school as counselor. But I realized that there's still too much lack of awareness about Psychology here in Pakistan and hence no scope. I felt I wasn't able to contribute anything in the field under the current circumstances, so I left. But I'm a person who believes in making best use of my circumstances and not fretting about what's beyond my control. So I kept doing small stuff. I was interested in computers and hence got involved in web stuff - though I've never had any computer education. But I'm keen to learn, anything and everything, so I kept exploring and experimenting. I started out by voluntarily assisting in editing an ezine. Then I worked as coordinator for a small web project. In early 2001, I was hired as global coordinator by a sofware development company specializing in financial technologies. I'm still with this company and have risen to the position of a Manager. I love my work, it's challenging; so I'm enjoying my career so far, and have no thoughts yet of another switchover ;-)
The reason for such multiple change of fields was certaintly not a lack of interest in the field, rather I've found myself interested in so many fields. I believe that every person is multi-talented. There are a lot of avenues one can discover. Some more, some less, but usually there are quite a few things one can be good at. So it's not necessary to focus on just one. In fact one can try all, or at least some, as long he/she can derive pleasure from any one of them.
I've always believed: Do what you can enjoy; if you can't, don't do it. There's no use of doing anything half-heartedly, coz sooner or later it'll become a drag for you. And no use of living life if you can't live it fully.
