I am currently working to finish my long-awaited bachelor's degree and it will be in French literature. As fate would have it, it has taken me just this long to decide and truly pursue what it is that I really want to do with myself for a career. I am intensley passionate about mental health care and I would really appreciate some guidance from someone(s) in that field. Some of the major problems I am still facing now that I have made this grand decision include: 1. Whether to pursue a PhD in Psychology or an M.D. and become a psychiatrist. I know that my main interest is in actual hands on counseling and therapy, but I keep hearing of too many cons in both areas that would suggest me not having an easy time actually doing what it is that I desire. I've tried the research, but nothing that I've found is giving me any exact information. You know...laying it out on the line. 2. I have not prepared in my undergraduate work for easy transition into either field. For the med-school route, I am aware of several post-bacc programs and have sent away for necessary information, but for the psych graduate studies, is there any way I can get in gear for that? Some programs don't even have any psych pre-reqs, but a good number of them require anywhere from 12-16 credit hrs.
I guess that I really need some career counseling. Is there any middle ground other than pursuing both degrees? I still have another semester and summer to work with before I get to my goal date of being enrolled in a career pursuit program. Any and all advice is welcome.
Thank you.