Chosen Path

This post is actually 2 weeks later than when I made my decision, but it has to be written nonetheless.

I've decided that I will not return and finish my MPH.

It's not like I'm necessarily giving up on getting an MPH (eventually), it's just not what I'm looking for in my career at this time. I may end up getting an MPH as a part of a preventive medicine or ID fellowship, if/when that time comes. I may end up coming full circle and return to some lab work, but not now and not in the near future.

And I've decided this for the reasons I wrote in my previous post. The words that clarified my decision came from my M4 advisor, who told me:

"I'm going to tell you what I tell residents who're deciding whether to do a fellowship or not. A fellowship, like your MPH, requires you to give it your all and your total dedication. If you're going back and forth now, ask yourself: is this really what you want? Or is your doubt telling you something?"

Those words shone in my mind like a sun burning up morning fog. I've made my decision. And I'm at peace with it.