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I'm a rather reluctant pre-med right now, and lord, this looks like an uphill battle for the next decade or so. But I don't see many paths for a) marketable skills, b) high salaries, and c) self-satisfaction beyond medicine.
Any ideas? I'm keeping this short, I know, but that's because I'm about to run off for chem lab. The humanities seem a joke in terms of practical application, and I fear engineering like nothing else. Law's one route, and business is another -- but then, I'm also kind of vague on the practical application of an MBA. They're useful, obviously, but what specific paths exist for them?
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Finance positions are almost always in demand, and usually have excellent oppurtunities for advancement, especially with an MBA. my girlfriend is getting her MBA in finance right now and she has companies practically beating her door down just to get an interview with her. and if you are interested in owning your own business, finance is one of the best skills you can have.
Posts: 2596 | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Insurance agent. Own your own business, and insurance will be needed no matter what the market is like. Post grad degree not needed.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005
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Law would be good for you. a) and b) are within reach with a law degree. c) requires working at it, but it's still possible.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Depends on what avenues you want to look at and if you want to stay within the medical field without being a doctor etc...
There's medical research if you're just realizing that you don't like the patient interaction as much (though it would probably require getting a grad degree in biology/chemistry etc...)
You could probably do many things within the medical technology field (such as work for a company that makes prostetic limbs). Many of these types of opportunities don't require actual degrees in medicine, but your background would be a help. On a more buisness-side of that you might be a good customer representative, taking the products to hospitals etc to explain how they work etc.
As far as an MBA goes, it's more or less what I see as a good gateway from any other career into the buisness world. The fact that you're even in med school right now says a ton about your overall ability, and motivation, which is generally what will serve you best in the buisness world. Just think of all the engineers etc that get an MBA and manage companies... it's certainly not engineering, but the hard work and general motivation/innovation carry over between different disciplines pretty well.
Perhaps journalism would be a good choice, there's probably medical versions of popular science for example, where the authors should have some background in what they're talking about but definately don't need to be scientists or engineers to do their jobs.
Ideally I'd suggest just looking at areas that seem interesting and see what opportunities there are.
Posts: 1038 | Registered: Feb 2006
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There are lots of fulfilling careeers realated to "medicine" that are not necessarily MDs. Look at the variety of jobs necessary in a hospital sometime, some of which require high levels of skills, and education. Running an MRI for instance. It's high paying and doesn't it require you to be an MD as far as I know. Also, you aren't normally nearly as liable as the doctors and hospitals are either. You can do it through a "vocational" program, but people with 4-year degrees are going to be the ones which end up advancing more.
Physical therapy is also pretty high earning and a growing field.
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You could work for nonprofits - that can be very rewarding. They need business types who aren't in it for the money.
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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As another struggling pre-med the question of what to do if I don't make it into med school haunts me as well. For me the service aspect, in addition to the high stress, are the most important factors in considering another occupation. A secondary factor is considering where my background in biology and chemistry might be useful. My first alternative will probably be a master's or PhD program in biology or chemistry. A few of the jobs I am considering if I don't make it to med school, or even grad school, are veterinary technician, EMT, firefighter, or army officer. I mean I'll probably take the first thing I think I can get, but those are the careers I'd actually like to do. If I end up doing something just to get paid, like bank teller or something, I'd probably volunteer at animal shelters, or hospitals, or search and rescue; as these are things I've done in the past and enjoyed. With look these won't be necessary and I'll make it into med school, but it's nice to know that my life won't be over if I don't.
Posts: 349 | Registered: May 2003
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quote:But I don't see many paths for a) marketable skills, b) high salaries, and c) self-satisfaction beyond medicine.
Being a software developer / computer programmer / software engineer is pretty good for a) and b). I think you'll rarely get c) from a job, unless its something you love doing.
But there are some specific semi-innate attributes a person needs to be a truly good software developer, so its not for everyone.
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Combining a live science degree with an MBA is a very marketable education. There are thousands of science relaited businesses that need a person with strong business skills who also understands what the heck the Principals are talking about. That goes for a live science/law combination too. Just the patent law market for science/law will absorbe those graduates.
Posts: 1167 | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
PS One big reason that hospitals have so many money problems, is that they have Directors who are MD's and can't read a balance sheet to save their lives. An MBA who can communicate with the professional staff would be an enormous help
Posts: 1167 | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
What were your reasons for wanting to be a doctor? I think we can direct you better if we know what your motivations were. It was just to meet hot nurses, wasn't it?
You're so predictable, Eddie. Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
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Actually here in Nevada there are career opportunities for hot nurses with purple thong and lacy bra.
Posts: 1167 | Registered: Oct 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Audeo: As another struggling pre-med the question of what to do if I don't make it into med school haunts me as well. For me the service aspect, in addition to the high stress, are the most important factors in considering another occupation. A secondary factor is considering where my background in biology and chemistry might be useful. My first alternative will probably be a master's or PhD program in biology or chemistry. A few of the jobs I am considering if I don't make it to med school, or even grad school, are veterinary technician, EMT, firefighter, or army officer. I mean I'll probably take the first thing I think I can get, but those are the careers I'd actually like to do. If I end up doing something just to get paid, like bank teller or something, I'd probably volunteer at animal shelters, or hospitals, or search and rescue; as these are things I've done in the past and enjoyed. With look these won't be necessary and I'll make it into med school, but it's nice to know that my life won't be over if I don't.
Yeah, I'm also seriously considering firefighting. I think I might volunteer at a couple local stations, if NYC permits that sort of thing. I know my old neighborhood did, and I wish I'd taken advantage of it.
Law's another possibility, and the only one I've heard heavily endorsed for me. But... I don't know. I know it's a fine career, but there's an unsettling sense of instability about it, at least in my mind. Being able to manipulate the judicial system seems a smoke-and-mirrors profession, and I'm not nearly vain enough to think myself capable of surviving on my wits alone forever.
Medicine has a marketable set of skills to it, in heavy demand, that I can take anywhere in the world and survive any economic depression which might harm more frivolous occupations. I won't deny, one of my burning desires is for a couple years of pro bono work in India/Africa once I get my med degree -- and if I don't get into med school, I may go straight out of undergrad. (The only real issue is my age; I'll be twenty-four when I have my BS, if I go for that. Twenty-eight once I have a med degree. Thirty-some if I specialize, as I probably will. Another couple years of working to pay down my debt and support my parents. Will I have a family by then? Will I ever be as free of responsibility as I am now to go wander the world a bit?)
I did very well in economics and English in high school, and those two were actually my double major when I entered college. I switched to pre-medicine for personal reasons (Niki's actually not that far off), but now that I'm in the track, I can't imagine running any other. There are always dream jobs, directing movies and writing books and becoming a college professor (and the first Latin president), but they're pipedreams -- and I have responsibilities now I can't neglect for the pursuit of personal pleasure.
I don't know. How did everyone else decide on their professions? Were they jobs you fell into, or planned for, or... what?
Posts: 3293 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Here's the thing though, Lalo...being in medicine doesn't guarantee financial success anymore, especially with the rising cost of malpractice insurance.
In other words, don't buy a boat the day you finish your residency.
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I'm still working on the details of my profession (nursing). My mom's best friend owns an Alzheimer's assisted living home and she told me she would send me to training classes for free; she was desperate for help. I had nothing better to do the summer out of high school. Two days after I started the job I told my mom I was going to be a nurse. She said she knew all along. That made me smile.
Caring for people on a medical level is so deeply fufilling for me. It gives me a high. I am a very emotional person and I've finally found an outlet for that. I knew I wanted to help people in some way and the opportunity just fell into my lap.
Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
Eddie, go to and volunteer at a hospital. You should do this asap if you want to be a doctor. It was never really one of my goals, but volunteering was still very worthwhile.
Is pre-med a major or is this a concentration under the bio major? I have it on good authority from several sources that almost anything but a bio degree will help with getting in to med school, provided you have the requirments. (Special mention made of engineering/chemistry/physics)
Posts: 1621 | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
I don't think volunteering a hospital will really give you a sense of what doctors do. You need to set up a job shadow with a doctor. It's as easy as calling one up and asking. Doctors love that kind of stuff.
Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
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I had the same dilema several years ago. I always had wanted to be an MD. I got my first job in a hospital as a pharmacy technician. My dad is a pharmacist.
I was exposed to what the hospital culture was all about. I learned quickly that most doctors (the ones I worked with) had terrible life styles.
As I became more frustrated with the premed journey and seeing MD's also disillusioned, I began thinking of other career options.
Since my dad was a pharmacist, and I was a pharmacy tech. I naturally looked into pharmacy.
I ended up choosing pharmacy. Many of the pre-reqs were similar to premed so I didn't waste many classes.
I ended up applying and being accepted to the University of Montana School of Phamacy. I had a great time. I learned a ton. I later applied for and was accepted to a general pharmacy residency in Renton, WA. Residency's are optional in pharmacy at this time.
Pharmacy offers many advantages. Usually a decent lifestyle. You go to work, do your work and go home. It is rare to take your work home, or work longer than expected. Good pay, pharmacy is one of the few professions where you can get paid a lot the first day out of school. However, there is not a lot of upward mobility in pharmacy unless you move to managment. You pretty much make the max that your gonna make when you start (plus cost of living, of course).
There is a lot of variety in pharmacy as well. You can work retail, clinic's, hospital, industry and some exotic pharmacy such as radiopharmacy (dealing with radioactive medications), poison control centers, government and many others.
I personally like the hospital side of things. I mostly work in cardiology, coronary critical care and thoracic ICU. I enjoy the work, I love working with doctors and nurses and I love feeling like I make a difference in patients and their families. I also have opportunity to teach students and interns (pharmacy, nursing and medical).
I may never be rich, but I am comfortable and able to raise my family without having to worry month to month. I have the time to spend with my family and friends and don't let my career consume me.
Just my $0.02.
Hope I didn't ramble on too much.
BTW, I know many MD's that love what they do and wouldn't have done anything different.
quote:Originally posted by Valentine014: I don't think volunteering a hospital will really give you a sense of what doctors do. You need to set up a job shadow with a doctor. It's as easy as calling one up and asking. Doctors love that kind of stuff.
Perhaps. Its all about what you make of it. Volunteering has the benefit that you get some hands on, in addition to getting a sense of what doctors do. I had many oportunities when I volunteered. I met a ton of people and got a sense of what doctors do. YMMV.
Posts: 1621 | Registered: Oct 2001
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quote:Perhaps journalism would be a good choice, there's probably medical versions of popular science for example, where the authors should have some background in what they're talking about but definately don't need to be scientists or engineers to do their jobs.
This is NOT an option if you're going for "high salary". Unless you're going to be on TV.
Though people with degrees in non-journalism fields are always in demand to write about the things they have degrees in. You could probably go to work as a science or medical reporter (though you'd need at least one reporting internship first).
Posts: 1784 | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
What about pharmacy? Is that too close to medicine for you?
Firefighting/paramedic is a good job but keep in mind that most firefighters have a 2nd job to support their families. In my area, many of them work construction on their days off.
You could graduate and go get a job as a pharmaceutical rep. If you're good with people and self-motivated you can make excellent money, but sometimes your income is tied up in bonus potential and if you don't hit your numbers for a quarter, you might not get your bonus. Still, at the pharmaceutical company I used to work for, we had bonuses for our reps that could equal six figures, and that was above and beyond their salary and the other perks which included company car and expense account.
What about Health Information Management? Some universities offer degrees for it and it's expected to be a booming field with pretty good income potential.
In fact, at this link you'll find a list of health related professions from UAB's school of the same name, some of those might interest you.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
If you are still interested in medicine but intimidated by the long haul through medical school, internships, and residency, you should consider becoming a Physicians Assistant (PA). PA school is usually 2 years of post graduate work and has great career opportunities. PAs are well paid and they do meaningful rewarding work directly with patients. There are lots of different job options varying from family practice, clinics, specialists, etc. You could end up running a clinic in a small town or working with specialist in major city hospital.
Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000
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I'm with Rabbit. Great pay, lots of responsibilty (can't do surgery or write prescriptions for certains meds though), much less school, tons of respect and job satisfaction. All the PAs I know love their job.
EDIT: At UNMC, you only need a Bachelor's to get into the program. It doesn't even matter what the degree is as long as you have one. From there, it's a two-year program.
Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
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Very similar. From what I understand about the two, an NP can run their own clinic (most don't) but a PA needs to be under the supervision of a doctor.
Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
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Ok that makes sense, I knew NPs could run their own clinic (one of my former camp councelors is one and thought about that option).
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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I vote find some way to see what it's REALLY like to have the job.
