Doctor aunt tells 16-year-old niece not to become a pediatrician, her sister reprimands her for 'discouraging' her daughter's practical career path: 'Just telling the truth'

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Dec 3, 2025 10:00 AM EST

Career advice is everywhere, even when you're not looking for it. The internet is full of people telling you what you should do with your career. What you should wear to an interview, what you should say, when you should say it, what fields to go into, and which ones to avoid. Then there are the people in your family. They're also full of words of wisdom on what to do with your life. They try to dole out conventional and unconventional tips about attacking the job market, which is not an easy thing to do. But it's rare that you can get advice right from the horse's mouth, that is, someone whose field you are directly interested in. 

This is a more useful thing than the average one-size-fits-all job advice. But what happens if that advice is different from what you expected? What if it ended up discouraging you from your chosen field? Would you blame the person for crushing your dreams, or would you thank them for sparing you a lifetime of delusion? Those are the questions that came up in this story. 

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  • An aunt talks to her niece on a park bench.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • When a teenage girl went to her aunt with a very reasonable dream, she was hoping for the truth. But what she didn't realize was that she was in for a harder truth than expected. Read on to see what happened in this story and what commenters had to say. 

  • Am I in the wrong for "Discouraging" my niece's wanted career path?

    My (39m) sister (43f) has a 16 year old. Since she was like 10 or 11 she's been sure that she wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up. She's a junior in high school, and she's been taking classes related to health stuff in school.
    via u/BirthdayNaive2117
  • Last time she came over, we were talking about it, and out of the blue she asked me if I would do the whole doctor thing again if I could. And me, being completely honest, told her no way. I said I'd be a dentist or something. My wife's a dentist and would probably make more than me if I still worked as an employee. AND
    via u/BirthdayNaive2117
  • she charges cash only lol. I also told her that pediatricians don't really make that much money, at least compared to the debt she'd be looking at. I didn't mean to discourage her though, just telling the truth.
    via u/BirthdayNaive2117
  • When she left, my sister called asking why I'd say that to her, and I told her that she asked so I answered. And I was just being real. She seemed pretty mad though that I put her off to a "Good" career. Sister didn't even say niece felt put off. She's just talkin for her.
    via u/BirthdayNaive2117
  • AITA? BTW, im not a pediatrician. Did a different specialty. EDIT: What are you guys talking about in the comments? Yes the money was part of becoming a doctor.
    via u/BirthdayNaive2117

  • Commenters agreed that this was practical advice.

    . TightDrummer2055 • 3h ago If only someone had given me useful career advice rather than let me start school at a private university, that ate up all of my scholarship money in one year by the way, for a "career" in checks notes athletic training, I'd probably
    via u/TightDrummer2055
  • A teenage girl gets advice from her aunt on a park bench.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • be retiring from the military in two years. You did your niece right. If she's meant to be a pediatrician, she'll find that career. But letting your children walk into college with stars in their eyes is cruel. Signed...a higher ed professional of almost 15 years.
    via u/TightDrummer2055
  • Bubblehead_81 • 3h ago NTA. Giving an honest opinion based on your knowledge and experience is helpful. If it's an inconvenient truth and people are upset with the information you've given. them, that's on them. There's too much sugar coating in the world today, too much misinformation.
    via u/Bubblehead_81
  • S... 3h ago Edited 36m ago • . Only because I work for a lot of doctors and they have all said they wouldn't be pediatricians because they are the lowest paid doctors out of them all and work is harder
    via u/SouthernNanny
  • So my vote is a soft NTA only because you can't manage everyone's expectations but you also have to say something positive about a child's dreams/dream career.
    via u/SouthernNanny
  • TJHawk206 • 3h ago Being real is far more helpful than pushing people towards something that sounds good. Like telling people going to college means a lot or means you'll make more money etc.
    via u/TJHawk206
  • Hopstorm . 3h ago NTA Speaking as na European, higher education is free here. At least I do not know any country that you have to pay to attend to public universities. Therefore, it's normal for people to change fields of study. Actually, a friend of mine dropped out of medical school in her fourth year to pursue dentistry.
    via u/Hopstorm
  • However, if I had to pay such a great sum you pay in USA, I'd want to be 100% certain of my decision and hear as many opinions from people in the profession as possible, so I don't end up with a huge debt and an unfulfilling job.
    via u/Hopstorm
  • DramaticReach98... . 2h ago I am also in the medical field (psychiatrist), and you gave her sound advice. The cost of pre-med, medical school, and specialty school compared to the actual income just doesn't math.
    via u/DramaticReach9854
  • Although I love my job and working with traumatized soldiers, I would pick a different field if I had the chance to do it all over again. The advice you gave your niece was solid, and she needs to know all the aspects of her chosen degree now before she enters college so she can make a more sound decision for her future.
    via u/DramaticReach9854
  • Kris82868 3h ago NTA. She asked a very logical question to someone close to her who she counted on to give her an honest opinion. You gave it.
    via u/Kris82868
  • JuxtaposieJen • 2h ago . NTA. She is 16 - not 10. She is at the stage where she needs to have all the information to make her decisions. Sounds like her mom wants to say her daughter is a pediatrician more than she wants her to make an informed decision.
    via u/JuxtaposieJen
  • mariskat 3h ago . NTA. She asked a question and 16 years old is old enough not to sugarcoat how you actually feel. If knowing about the financial issues is enough to put her off, it's probably good she heard this now and not after a hard, expensive medical degree.
    via u/mariskat
  • Broccolilover9 3h ago . NTA. You were being honest and helpful. It doesn't help your niece to get into a career not knowing what to expect and then being unhappy about the reality. You are helping her make an informed decision.
    via u/Broccolilover9
  • Accountantabit • 3h ago NAH She asked a question and you were honest with her. She can still be a Pediatrician with her mother's support.
    via u/Accountantabit
  • ChronicallyLou • 3h ago . NAH you were honest about the practicalities of it, and the debt and studying. Your niece needs to be prepared about the honest aspects even if it isn't much fun. You weren't telling her not to do it or it isn't right for her.
    via u/ChronicallyLou
  • Your sister being mad, I can kinda understand. Her daughter probably went home discouraged about what she had been dreaming of. I would probably have another discussion with your niece, explaining both the pros and cons. That you're not trying to discourage her, but that it is things to think about.
    via u/ChronicallyLou
  • Your sister will also need to have a discussion where they talk about finances for the studying. Is money out aside for her education, will niece have to pay everything herself, is she expected to get scholarships, will her mum help her with day to day living costs or will niece need to get a job.
    via u/ChronicallyLou
  • I think that all of that needs to be discussed so your niece knows exactly what to expect, what to start thinking about etc
    via u/ChronicallyLou
  • Enuya95 3h ago . NTA. She asked, you answered honestly and explained your reasoning. I'd say you're a good person for being honest and open with her
    via u/Enuya95
  • Pomksy . 3h ago 16 years old is an appropriate age to start thinking about college and majors, and having the next 2 years to think about what else she wants to do will be valuable. Maybe she can be a OB instead, or a pediatric dentist, but thinking about debt is a hard reality she may not have been ready for but is smart to take your words to heart.
    via u/Pomksy
  • Daniel CraigsAnus • 3h ago . NTA, your niece asked about the field and you gave an honest answer. You didn't go out of the our way to discourage or shit on her dreams like others do (my own dad). If your sister has an issue, she can talk to her therapist.
    via u/DanielCraigsA***
  • longgonebitches • 3h ago . It's fine to be honest. It's pretty depressing that the only goal you see in a career, even as a doctor working with children, is to make the most money you can, but whatever. That's your honest opinion. NTA
    via u/longgonebitches
  • I had several adults deinfluence me from careers at that point in my life and I'm very glad they did. If she listens to you it's for a reason. She's a teenager not a robot
    via u/longgonebitches

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