To start off, I'd like to say this isn't an article bashing men but my encounters with a few men who have mansplained to me about my passion for psychology. Let it be noted that I have some very amazing men in my life who I will be forever grateful for. They support all my decisions and also look forward to my future career. However, many women have experiences with men that are less than fortunate when it comes to careers.

I listened when you told me I should have stuck to nursing. I listened as you told me how I would make so much more money being a nurse than I will from being a psychologist. I listened to the arrogance in your words. I listened to the false facts you told me about my chosen profession. I listened to your biased opinions about the psychology field. I listened as you told me there are no jobs for people who graduate with a psychology degree. I observed you not listening to me as I told you about my passion to help children with mental health issues and how I plan to pursue more and more education.

I listened when you cut me off to tell me nursing is a great profession and psychology gets you nowhere. I listened as you ignored my next comment about pursuing my doctorate. You told me, "anyone in psychology at this school is going nowhere" and I listened. I watched how you made a fool of yourself for making such an ignorant statement. I listened as you told me we need more nurses, not mental health professionals. I listened when you disagreed with the fact that mental illnesses are increasing drastically. I listened when you told me it wasn't true because you don't have a mental illness. I listened while you made me feel as though I'm a failure because nursing school wasn't for me. I listened as you tried to make me feel like helping mentally ill children isn't important.

And I am done listening. I will no longer listen to men, or anyone, tell me how I should lead my life. I will no longer give a second thought to your nonsense opinions about my passion. I will not allow your words to change what I am passionate about. I will not let your words anger me because I know they are only damaging you. I have put your words behind me because the last three years of studying psychology have made me thrive and more importantly, ecstatic for my future career as a psychologist.