stalin's "x" year plans

I've been thinking a lot about the future. More specifically, what I want to do with my life. I never got into this planning on becoming a clinical doctor. And though I'm tempted sometimes to specialise, especially when we start a fresh and interesting topic, I know that in the end I can't see myself working in a hospital or clinic for the next thirty years to come.

I keep coming back to public policy. International relations replaced by international health policy. I mean, it's as close as I can get, right? I want to spend four, five years holed up in the corner of a university library somewhere working on my PhD. I'm starting to realise that that desire wasn't a transient thought but a growing... obsession? Too strong a word, but I make my point.

So here it is, my newly dubbed "Ten Year Plan" -- which reminds me of Stalin and all his "___ Year Plans." Graduate med school; complete my two or three House Surgeon years to get registered on the NZ medical board; do a Masters In International Studies (or equivalent) in NZ; go overseas, preferably America (Boston/Washington D.C.), to do my PhD in public policy. Then... the world is my oyster. Or something along those lines.

I'm excited. It's not that I'm necessarily on the quote-unquote right track, but I feel like I'm finally on a track.

I don't regret doing med - it's an amazing starting point for so many career paths - but I'm excited medicine per se isn't going to be the be-all and end-all of my life... Thankfully.