From Tech to Dentistry: One Man’s Journey to Fulfill a Lifelong Dream
John Pace always dreamed of becoming a dentist, but decades ago, a rejection from dental school forced him to set that goal aside. Life carried him in a different direction, and he built a successful career in AI and Data Sciences for more than ten years. Still, the dream never left.
“Really, the main thing was I’m not getting any younger. I wasn’t happy in the career that I was in, and it was going to be time to make a change anyway, and this is really the thing I wanted to do for so long. Let’s do it.”
With an undergraduate degree dating back to the 1990s, returning to school was no small task. But Pace committed himself to two years of studying and interviews, determined to give his lifelong ambition one more chance. That persistence finally paid off when the long-awaited admissions letter arrived.
“30 years of wanting to do something. Just, it was like this huge weight came off of me. It was one of the most freeing days I’ve ever had.”
Recently receiving his white coat, Pace marked the official start of his journey into dentistry, surrounded by proud family members who have supported him every step of the way.
“I am so incredibly proud of him. I’ve always been proud of him, but even more so now,” said Jana Doyle, John’s daughter. “He has been nothing but a rock and support to not only me but to our entire family, and I know he’s going to do amazing at this.”
Even now, Pace says it still feels surreal to finally live out the dream he once thought was lost. He hopes his story encourages others who may feel it’s too late to start over.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are; follow your dream. You can do it.”
Pace plans to document his path to becoming a dentist online, sharing the highs and challenges as he proves that second chances are always possible.
John Pace’s story is a powerful reminder that time doesn’t erase dreams—it only tests how much they truly matter. His courage to walk away from a stable career and start again shows that fulfillment often lies just beyond the fear of change. If more people believed in themselves the way Pace did, the world would be full of late bloomers achieving extraordinary things.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/90yhUQ9BniM?si=0ZoocjE4MchjSxoz
- https://www.valleynewslive.com/2025/03/07/50-year-old-starts-dental-school-30-years-after-first-being-rejected/
- https://www.kcrg.com/2024/08/23/50-year-old-starts-dental-school-30-years-after-first-being-rejected/
- https://aistudio.google.com/
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