The Challenges of the ?Career Changer?

Flying as part of a Search and Rescue team in the United States Air Force (USAF) has made up the last two decades of my life. Whether it was flying near the Arctic Circle to deliver medical care to help save people in isolated areas or landing on makeshift dirt runways to pick up patients and transport them to hospitals, these years included some of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences of my life. As the end of my military career approached, I started to consider new career options. I loved how rewarding it was to be a part of the search and rescue community in the USAF, so when it came time to evaluate other careers, I looked for something that was challenging and rewarding, where I could be a part of a great team. 

Venturing away from 20 years in the Air Force and toward a career in health care was very intimidating. Transitioning into a completely new profession meant I would be starting from square one. I had spent years developing a level of knowledge and expertise that placed me at the top of my profession and this decision would result in that knowledge being ancillary or extraneous. In addition, my wife and I were starting a family and I didn’t want this decision to have a negative impact on our children. 

I spent hours talking to physicians, nurses, dentists and physical therapists trying to figure out which profession would be the best fit for me and if this was the right decision. In each of these professions, I was able to find a number of similarities to my current career: they were dynamic, challenging and relied on teamwork to succeed. When I looked at dentistry, I saw these similarities balanced with the opportunity to spend time with my family and give back to my community. I’ve discovered a vocation where I felt I could make an impact in the lives of others on a regular basis, and I was excited for the challenge to develop new skills while continuing to grow professionally.

I reached out to local academic advisors who gave me a lot of great advice about returning to school. Once I decided to pursue a career in a new profession, I started looking at entrance requirements and I began taking night classes at my local community college. As I narrowed down my options, I was able to focus my academic courses to the applicable prerequisites. I spent the last four years taking classes online and going to school in the evenings. I’m always the oldest student in the class, and occasionally, older than my professors. Most of my days off from work are spent shadowing at a dental office, studying for exams or preparing for the ADEA AADSAS^® (ADEA Associated American Dental School Application Service) application process. As I get ready to take the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT), work on putting together the perfect personal statement and focus on the application process, I’m confident that the hard work and long hours I put in will be worth it. 

When I started this process, it seemed daunting. I thought the costs, not just financially, but also the time commitment, would be too great. I was concerned about where I would find the time to be a full-time student, while working full-time and raising three kids. Nonetheless, throughout this process, my wife and kids were incredibly supportive, and I could not have done any of this without them. While it has not been easy, I have found a way, through the support and encouragement of my friends and family. I’ve also found a lot of motivation through predental blogs, ADEA resources and hearing stories of other nontraditional students like myself who have overcome their own obstacles and adversities. I hope my story can help others set lofty goals and work hard to achieve their dreams too. I am excited for the upcoming application process to begin and look forward to seeing what this next chapter of life brings.