Hey guys,

Right now I'm a Junior at the UofI in premedicine. All my life my family and parents have encouraged me to go the MD route. Yet, lately I have been quite discouraged when thinking about my future as a doctor. My feelings are more complex than I can describe, but basically last summer I conducted breast cancer research at Wash U and I greatly enjoyed my experience, probably because it was one of the hardest jobs that I have ever undertaken, and it yielded great results. I contributed something to science and I honestly enjoyed it. And I honestly can not see myself doing anything but research in the future. It is nothing against clinicians, but I just do not want to be one at all. At the end of my research term last summer I gave a presentation, and many people said that I did it well, including a number of famous scientists. Those things encouraged me even more to go into research. I think it is pretty clear that the best choice for me is to go into biomedical research (I love that term). Now my question is; how do I break it to my family that I am going into research with no intention on getting a MD?

Hey guys,

Right now I'm a Junior at the UofI in premedicine. All my life my family and parents have encouraged me to go the MD route. Yet, lately I have been quite discouraged when thinking about my future as a doctor. My feelings are more complex than I can describe, but basically last summer I conducted breast cancer research at Wash U and I greatly enjoyed my experience, probably because it was one of the hardest jobs that I have ever undertaken, and it yielded great results. I contributed something to science and I honestly enjoyed it. And I honestly can not see myself doing anything but research in the future. It is nothing against clinicians, but I just do not want to be one at all. At the end of my research term last summer I gave a presentation, and many people said that I did it well, including a number of famous scientists. Those things encouraged me even more to go into research. I think it is pretty clear that the best choice for me is to go into biomedical research (I love that term). Now my question is; how do I break it to my family that I am going into research with no intention on getting a MD?

Flyingillini,

It sounds like you found your passion. I would say telling your family about your decision is a real step towards independence. Tell them that you've made an important decision and lay out the reasons why you want to go into research. Yeah, you're likely to catch some heat from them, but if you sincerely feel strong about research you'll put up with their bickering for some time. Tell them that you're not going to be a miserable disgruntled docter so that they can brag about how their kid is an MD. The key is to show them how convinced you are about research. It's great that you came to this realization now as oppose to finding out in med school.

I wish you the best of luck, :thumbup:

Peep Show

Flyingillini, your honesty is very encouraging. Sometime our 'path' chooses us rather than us than the other way around. I am also trained in research and I can honestly say that those who make the biggest difference are people like you - they just have a hunger for the knowledge that surpasses temporary setbacks and difficulties. You sound like a dedicated, bright individual with outstanding research potential. If you follow your heart, you will not go wrong. Aim high. Try to work with the best in your chosen field.

Hi FL:

If you do what you want to do in life then you'll always have a deep-down satisfaction, a happiness. I have met so many physicians in research who, when asked why they were working in a lab now, replied that they'd only done medicine because "it was expected" of them.

Don't be one of those people. If research really is your passion, then you will be happy following that dream. If you still want to do medicine because it answers some need within you, then by all means do so. But NEVER EVER EVER choose a career simply to please other people. You'll end up resenting them and yourself.

Peace.

Thanks for the good responses. I still have mixed feelings about not going into medicine. At this point I still could still apply for MSTP programs. But getting the MD is the part that I honestly do not like. I understand where my family is coming from in that they would want me to have a comfortable life as a doctor. That is quite understandable, and it makes sense. I still have yet to come to a final decision about whether or not I'd like to get the MD, but I realize that I have to make the decision soon, so I'm just going to pray about it and hope I am guided in the right direction for myself. But I know one thing; that the decision will not be based upon any other person than myself, because like evodevo said, if you are not true to your own desires you will be miserable. Thank you guys for your input.

................

One last thing: I have a friend who went to medical school only because his parents insisted that this was the only way to make a comfortable living. Now he's a PGY2 resident in opthalmology, he hates medicine, he has little time for family and friends, and he's in > $100, 000 worth of debt. Unless this is what you really want to do, it's probably not worth the risk. Follow your heart.

FYI, don't let anyone tell you you cannot make money as a Ph.D. because you totally can. Also, if you're still interested in serving via medicine, you can do a 1-2 year post-doc fellowship in a clinical specialty like clinical biochemistry, medical microbiology, or diagnostic immunology; you can become boeard certified in that specialty (PM me for more info.), you will be paid as much as an M.D., AND you can still do your research! This is the path I chose and, although I'm still considering other options (I always do), I never regretted my initial decision. I have a feeling that you'll be just fine.

Hey guys,

Right now I'm a Junior at the UofI in premedicine. All my life my family and parents have encouraged me to go the MD route. Yet, lately I have been quite discouraged when thinking about my future as a doctor. My feelings are more complex than I can describe, but basically last summer I conducted breast cancer research at Wash U and I greatly enjoyed my experience, probably because it was one of the hardest jobs that I have ever undertaken, and it yielded great results. I contributed something to science and I honestly enjoyed it. And I honestly can not see myself doing anything but research in the future. It is nothing against clinicians, but I just do not want to be one at all. At the end of my research term last summer I gave a presentation, and many people said that I did it well, including a number of famous scientists. Those things encouraged me even more to go into research. I think it is pretty clear that the best choice for me is to go into biomedical research (I love that term). Now my question is; how do I break it to my family that I am going into research with no intention on getting a MD?


One piece of advice...follow your heart...the rest will follow thereafter.