If you're going into health science for money hopefully the system will weed you out.
This kind of talk really bothers me. Its as if people say, "if money drives you to do what you want to do, then your going to perform lesser quality work and not mean it".
Or the people who say, "go into finance and be a hedge fund manager". There is a 1% chance of being one of those, but a 45% (or even higher) chance of becoming a dentist or being accepted to dental school. One offers millions a year with 80+ hours, the other at least a six figure job working on less than 40 hours.
That is bull to the 10th degree.
I'd rather have a dentist who is top of the line, efficient and courteous but is doing it all for the money than having a dentist who isn't that great but they love to help people. Its when people compromise ethics and quality of job in exchange for money. Big difference. In terms of motivation money is one of the greatest drivers you will find.
The dentist that I go to told me straight up, that the money was what drove him to purse dentistry over athletic training. He loved the body but when he heard of the monetary possibilites he jumped ship. He pulls in a good 300k+ and has a very loyal patient base. He is one of the best dentists I could ask for. He has a wife, kids, good family, and seems happy every day I shadow under him. He takes care of each patient as if they are his only patient. He wants to help people, but he likes his money too.
I want to be a dentist because of four major reasons:
1.)the ability, with business intuition and lots of planning, to make anywhere from 180k-250k+ and the lifestyle of 36-44 hours a week!
2.)the opportunity to own a small business and operate intimately with my patient base and develop that patient-doctor bond
3.)a job that allows me to work with my hands on a daily basis, and challenges me mentally and physically on a daily basis
4.)the ability to solve someone's pain, immediately, and effectively.
Does that mean I will be an incompetent dentist, when or if I become one. No. Does it mean I am a worse person than you? No. It merely means that I value somethings higher than others and that does not mean I don't deserve a certain job. Helping people should certainly be a factor, but don't act like "wanting money" is the worst factor to pursue a career that has as many good characteristics as dentsitry!
If money makes you perform your best and makes you happy. Then pursue it for that factor. If helping people makes you perform at your best and makes you happy pursue if for that factor. Stop acting like money is the worst thing in the world.
Dang.