A Pivot in the Elenchus: New Directions, New Degrees, and Finding the Right Path

If there is one thing the Socratic method teaches us, it’s the absolute necessity of continuously re-examining our assumptions. True growth requires the willingness to step back, question our current trajectory, and change course when our internal compass points in a new direction. Recently, I’ve had to apply that rigorous questioning to my own life, which brings me to a major update for A Personal Elenchus.
I am officially stepping away from the medical school plan.
It wasn’t an easy decision to close that door, but after a lot of reflection, I realized it simply isn’t the right avenue for the kind of impact I want to make. Medicine is a noble pursuit, but my drive has always been rooted in addressing broader, systemic issues and empowering individuals on a community level. I needed a path that aligns more closely with my background in political science and my desire to build structural support systems.
So, here is the new blueprint:

1. Pursuing an MPA

Instead of medical school, I am shifting my focus to graduate school to earn my Master of Public Administration at Central Michigan University. This feels like a natural evolution. An MPA will give me the concrete, administrative, and policy-driven tools I need to navigate the public sector and effect real change. It’s exactly the kind of rigorous framework I’m looking for to bridge the gap between philosophical ideals and practical, on-the-ground reality.

2. Launching a Non-Profit

The immediate goal of this education isn’t just to add a line to my resume; it’s to build something tangible here in the Grand Rapids community. I am currently laying the groundwork to start a non-profit organization. While the exact scope is still coming together, the core mission will be centered on providing direct, systemic support and resources to those who need it most.

3. Writing a Book

Alongside the non-profit and graduate studies, I am finally committing to writing a book. Over the years of navigating law, philosophy, peer support, and personal growth, I’ve accumulated a lot of observations that I want to synthesize into something permanent. It will be an exploration of the ideas we frequently dissect here—finding clarity, challenging our preconceived notions, and building a meaningful life.

4. The Long-Term Vision: Teaching

Ultimately, all of these roads—the MPA, the non-profit, the writing—lead to one long-term destination: the classroom. Someday, I hope to teach at the community college level. There is something incredibly powerful about the community college environment; it’s a place of transition, second chances, and profound personal growth. I want to be in front of a classroom, sharing my experiences, guiding students through their own analytical inquiries, and hopefully making a real difference in how they perceive the world and their potential in it.
It’s a massive pivot, but for the first time in a while, the road ahead feels incredibly clear. Thank you for continuing to read, challenge, and grow alongside me. There will be much more to share as the non-profit takes shape and the first semester of the MPA program gets closer.
Fire up, and stay tuned.