Be an Actuary or a Doctor

[postbacpremed87]

I graduated with a BS in Economics in Fall 2009 with a 3.7 gpa. I decided to go back to school to pursue post-bac pre-med studies because I was always drawn to medicine, the science behind it, and I enjoyed shadowing several doctors.

In undergrad, I always took a lot of mathematics courses and excelled - Calc 1-3, Differential Equations, Econometric, Mathematical Econ, Stats and got all As.

I enjoy medicine and serving patients, but I could also see myself sitting for the actuarial exams to be an actuary.

What do you do when you have many passions?

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[BHaus9]

I graduated with a BS in Economics in Fall 2009 with a 3.7 gpa. I decided to go back to school to pursue post-bac pre-med studies because I was always drawn to medicine, the science behind it, and I enjoyed shadowing several doctors.

In undergrad, I always took a lot of mathematics courses and excelled - Calc 1-3, Differential Equations, Econometric, Mathematical Econ, Stats and got all As.

I enjoy medicine and serving patients, but I could also see myself sitting for the actuarial exams to be an actuary.

What do you do when you have many passions?

How much do you know about actuarial science? Have you shadowed an actuary? Are you closely acquainted with one?

I ask because my father happens to be in this line of work, and to me it seems a bit mundane. A passion for math may not necessarily translate into passion for a job simply because that job utilizes mathematical principles.

 

[Epen]

Choose what will make you happiest (as mentioned, that would probably involve lots of shadowing and introspection). If you really believe that both options would leave you equally content, go to less subjective comparisons i.e. income, schedule, potential for renown or recognition, security, etc. How much weight you put on those things is entirely up to you.

 

[JESSFALLING]

Have you passed an actuarial exam? You'll probably need to pass the first one or two exams (Probability and Financial Mathematics are typically the first taken) before you can even intern to see if you'll actually like the career. Both careers pay well. Both require significant work to obtain 'fellowship' status. You should ask yourself if you want to work at a desk, primarily, or would you rather have a more varied working environment? Also, do you want to start making good money now, or are you willing to be patient - and go into debt - to make not much more money than you'd be making as an actuarial fellow? Lastly, ask yourself if money is your main motivation - if so, you can likely save a lot more of it (significantly sooner too) by going the actuarial route.

Edit - If you make it half way to being an actuary, you'll be making a cool $100k as an Associate. However, if you make it halfway to becoming a physician you might be able to find a job scrubbing toilets at a hospital. Be sure you're serious if you apply to med school!

 

[circulus vitios]

I've heard the actuarial exams are hard. The recommended study time is somewhere around 100 hours per exam. It sounds boring as hell, no thanks.

You seem to be changing your mind a lot recently, between medicine and dentistry and actuarial sciences. Maybe work for another year or two and think it over?

 

[Isoprop]

If there's anything else other than medicine you will be happy doing, do that instead. Seriously.

Shadowing and talking to doctors is all fun and games, but when you actually have to sit down and go through the B.S. of medical education and training, you might regret not pursuing something else.

 

[MrBird]

try actuary out. Unlike medicine, it is easier to dabble in actuary. Whereas there is no such thing as dabbling in medicine.

 

[Brachyury]

I graduated with a BS in Economics in Fall 2009 with a 3.7 gpa. I decided to go back to school to pursue post-bac pre-med studies because I was always drawn to medicine, the science behind it, and I enjoyed shadowing several doctors.

In undergrad, I always took a lot of mathematics courses and excelled - Calc 1-3, Differential Equations, Econometric, Mathematical Econ, Stats and got all As.

I enjoy medicine and serving patients, but I could also see myself sitting for the actuarial exams to be an actuary.

What do you do when you have many passions?

Get the book for the first exam: if you think you can handle it, then it's worth considering becoming an actuary. Several of my friends are actuaries, and to be honest, I would rather take Step I over again than to take one of their tests.

When I ask my friends to describe their jobs, they usually say they're masters at Excel sheets

 

[Stumpyman]

The exams are really hard. But the job itself makes good pay, and as far as I know the actuarial scientists get promoted a lot after working for a while at a place, and make even more $$. But other than money, there really isn't anything spectacular about the job (you're not saving/helping lives), try shadowing one, see if you like it.

 

[willen101383]

If there's anything else other than medicine you will be happy doing, do that instead. Seriously.

Shadowing and talking to doctors is all fun and games, but when you actually have to sit down and go through the B.S. of medical education and training, you might regret not pursuing something else.

This. Its a huge pain in the ass and if you have even an iota of doubt dont do it. Its a long HARD ass road and it just doesnt stop. Nobody cares if you just had an exam friday on 6 weeks of material...they will hit you with another on monday morning (this is my life right this second).

I took 5 years off before med school to find myself and figure out what you want to do...no harm in being in the workforce and making some money (and figuring out what you actually want to do) for another year or two. My wifey is a CFA so i know how much of a pain in the ass those exams are to deal with. Better of being sure what you want to do then spending a significant amount of time only to end up with a career you dont want in the end.

I like plenty of things as hobbies....but that doesnt mean that I want to spend the rest of my life doing those things day in and day out.