If you are looking for an alternative path, you can consider become a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) for a pharmaceutical, medical device, biotech company. I know of several DPMs that have left the DPM practice and became MSLs for several different wound care companies and medical device companies. MSLs are not drug reps or medical device reps. They are more like the SMEs (subject matters experts) or medical consultants for the company.
Alternative careers that I have seen my DPM colleagues have gotten into include teaching (college), venture / start ups, consulting, medical writing / journalism, hospital administration (CMO, etc...), medical insurance companies (healthcare policy work, strategy consultant, etc...), pharma / biotech (non MSL positions, such as medical director, etc....).
I went back to get my MBA as a plan B when I was starting to get burnout from the medical profession. Since the completion of my MBA, I started to doing some part time consulting work, on the side, in healthcare strategy, healthcare policy, healthcare / lifescience investment, and healthcare operations with local consulting firms. I still practice Podiatry full time. I am still determining if I want to jump ship to do consulting full time.
