Financially and Deeply Torn: Medicine vs. Tech – Need Your Insights!

[DerpDerper]

Hey everyone, I’m in a bit of a dilemma and could use some advice. I'm currently 19 and extremely fortunate in terms of finances. My parents are well-off, so I won’t have to pay for undergrad or med school, and I’ll even have a good amount of money to invest until I become a physician in my early 30s.

I have two paths in front of me: data science or becoming a doctor. For the pre-med route, I don’t need to take the MCAT; I just need to maintain my GPA due to a combined med program I'm part of (I can apply out if I want.) Here’s where it gets tricky: I want to become a physician more than anything. However, I keep hearing from doctors, both in real life and online, that becoming a physician isn’t worth it anymore due to issues with mid-levels, admin, commercialization, etc. I’ve been aware of these challenges for years because I’ve always researched career options deeply, even at my age.

I’m not interested in medicine for the money or prestige, or even just to help people (though that’s a big part of it but many doctors tell me it’s overblown). I genuinely think I’d enjoy the day-to-day job of being a physician more than being an engineer or any job that I can think of for that matter. I despise coding, even though I love math. I got into a very prestigious school for Data Science (you’ve all heard of it), but I get depressed thinking about a career in tech, despite the entrepreneurial opportunities and higher potential earnings that comes with the field and my associated university.

On paper, becoming a software engineer seems like a no-brainer financially. I’d likely be much wealthier compared to going through residency and all the associated challenges, including the low salary during those years. But on a deeper level, I want to be a physician—not for money, prestige, or to help people in the traditional sense, but because I think I’d genuinely enjoy the work.

I understand that medicine is a business and that I won’t be saving or helping people every day. The same goes for tech, where you’re often just completing tasks given by a manager (my entire family is in tech, so I’ve seen this firsthand).

On top of that, I keep hearing about how hard med school is and how residency can be really tough, even making some people depressed. It sounds horrible, but I still think I might prefer it over a career in tech. But maybe I have rose tinted glasses on.

What do you guys think? Is it worth pursuing a career in medicine given my circumstances, or should I take the seemingly easier financial path with data science? Would love to hear your thoughts!

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[LizzyM]

With some rare exceptions, physicians take care of patents in front of them, one at a time, each a little bit different than the next, but in many ways much the same, particularly in some specialties. (another overweight, hypertensive middle aged person with high cholesterol, who smokes and/or drinks... next!) You may get some who will praise you for the care you provide but you will also get those who tell you that you are stupid or incompetent or that you missed the obvious or failed to prescribe the medication advertised on TV or that was touted on Instagram.

In tech, you (almost) never see the people you help. Your codes or your analyses may help thousands or even millions but none of them will thank you and none of them will berate you, either.

Do you love interacting with people, real people who are hurting and not at their best, some of whom you will not be able to help, or who won't respond to whatever you have to offer, or would you like to work with other people in business and tech and live a life where the joys and sorrows of people who use your products remains largely unknown to you?

 

[DerpDerper]

With some rare exceptions, physicians take care of patents in front of them, one at a time, each a little bit different than the next, but in many ways much the same, particularly in some specialties. (another overweight, hypertensive middle aged person with high cholesterol, who smokes and/or drinks... next!) You may get some who will praise you for the care you provide but you will also get those who tell you that you are stupid or incompetent or that you missed the obvious or failed to prescribe the medication advertised on TV or that was touted on Instagram.

In tech, you (almost) never see the people you help. Your codes or your analyses may help thousands or even millions but none of them will thank you and none of them will berate you, either.

Do you love interacting with people, real people who are hurting and not at their best, some of whom you will not be able to help, or who won't respond to whatever you have to offer, or would you like to work with other people in business and tech and live a life where the joys and sorrows of people who use your products remains largely unknown to you?

I do think I will like being able to help one by one. I’m also aware of how many patients will not be able to be helped or receptive of the care that’s given to them. I just feel like something is eating at me for not going the med route even though it seems like the majority of online forums tell me that medicine isn’t worth it anymore. And the pain I hear physicians, residents, med students go through and post online, that worry’s me and makes me think if it’s not worth it or if it’s selective bias since it’s the internet.

 

[AJS59]

I do think I will like being able to help one by one. I’m also aware of how many patients will not be able to be helped or receptive of the care that’s given to them. I just feel like something is eating at me for not going the med route even though it seems like the majority of online forums tell me that medicine isn’t worth it anymore. And the pain I hear physicians, residents, med students go through and post online, that worry’s me and makes me think if it’s not worth it or if it’s selective bias since it’s the internet.

You'll find plenty of people in tech who feel the same way about their field. Repeat for investment banking, big law, etc. It's an effect for many (especially those posting on the internet, selection bias at work) of the "grass is greener on the other side."

To me it seems like you are not so much interested in medicine as a profession but rather you're seeking an outlet/career where you can help people. So my opinion would say, why not do something in the data science realm for a non-profit, rather than just go right to big tech? That way you can scratch that itch of helping people while not having to throw yourself into the rigors of med school and residency.

Alternatively you could still do the big tech route but make it a goal to either retire early/go to part time work early and then move into a volunteer/non-profit type role, or just do volunteering in general on the side.

 

[DerpDerper]

You'll find plenty of people in tech who feel the same way about their field. Repeat for investment banking, big law, etc. It's an effect for many (especially those posting on the internet, selection bias at work) of the "grass is greener on the other side."

To me it seems like you are not so much interested in medicine as a profession but rather you're seeking an outlet/career where you can help people. So my opinion would say, why not do something in the data science realm for a non-profit, rather than just go right to big tech? That way you can scratch that itch of helping people while not having to throw yourself into the rigors of med school and residency.

Alternatively you could still do the big tech route but make it a goal to either retire early/go to part time work early and then move into a volunteer/non-profit type role, or just do volunteering in general on the side.

Thanks for your reply. Sorry if I couldn’t explain it well, but i want to emphasis that I do enjoy medicine alot from what i have taken (gen chem and some bio on khan academy lol.) I enjoy it more than programming, not to say I don’t like the project building aspect of CS. I’ve been wanting to become a physician probably since freshman year of high school, and it’s disheartening to see many physicians tell me not to do it even though I am aware of the bureaucracy involved in medicine and it being a job at the end of the day. I still want to do it. And just on a side note too I thought was funny, I like watching ortho surgery videos for fun, my family thinks I’m super weird lmao.

 

[DerpDerper]

My dude, go to any job subreddit and you will see countless people complaining about how much they hate anything CS-adjacent and how terrible it is. It's 100% selective bias and people venting on the internet

Yeah, it’s been disheartening to see so many people online say medicine isn’t worth it given that I really want to do it and I’m aware of the drawbacks. Many people online make it seem going through hell and back would be easier then med school and residency, so that really scared me since I don’t have any family member in medicine either.

 

[Moko]

Thanks for your reply. Sorry if I couldn’t explain it well, but i want to emphasis that I do enjoy medicine alot from what i have taken (gen chem and some bio on khan academy lol.) I enjoy it more than programming, not to say I don’t like the project building aspect of CS. I’ve been wanting to become a physician probably since freshman year of high school, and it’s disheartening to see many physicians tell me not to do it even though I am aware of the bureaucracy involved in medicine and it being a job at the end of the day. I still want to do it. And just on a side note too I thought was funny, I like watching ortho surgery videos for fun, my family thinks I’m super weird lmao.

Have you done any shadowing or clinical volunteering/employment? This would be the way to see (albeit imperfectly) if you personally would like the day-to-day grind of medicine. It may also give you some insight into other professions, e.g. nursing, PT/OT/SLP, psychologist/therapy, etc.

At the end of the day, it's your life and only your opinions and priorities matter, not someone else's. IMO, the people who complain about medicine likely either:

1. Came in with unrealistic expectations about what a physician's job actually looks like;
2. Were not honest about their own priorities (e.g. underestimating the importance of time, money, family in your 20's/30's); and/or
3. Woefully underestimated the demands of training and the sacrifices needed to obtain a certain level of expertise.

Also consider that depending on the specialty, you may also be working alongside people with the same privileges despite having a small fraction of your training (more prevalent in non-procedural specialties). In fact, there has been a progressive push by the NP lobbies (and to a lesser extent, PA's) to expand their scope of practice. The NP's and PA's I've worked with have all been great but there many stories online of those who have delusions that our training and competencies are equivalent. Is this something you will be okay with?

Ultimately, if your pursuit of medicine is well-tested and informed, and you still think this is the right path for you after careful and honest reflection, then I think that your chances of regret will be much lower (but not zero). Just my thoughts and best of luck.

 

[LunaOri]

Keep in mind that people who post on Reddit are often unhappy—happy folks are out there living their lives, not whining in forums. There are plenty of happy doctors in real life. Shadow a few of them to learn more about the pluses and minuses of medicine.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

OP: you are just 19 years old???

Stop getting your advice from influencers and anonymous forum complainers. The best thing you can do now is surround yourself with successful, happy people who support you and motivate you. Find something you are really good at (and can earn good money). You are financially stable to do more exploring than many others, so live a smart life.

I'm sure you eagerly want to "grow up fast." Trust us, you will.

Insert Ferris Bueller gif here.

 

[ophthoaspirant]

Hey everyone, I’m in a bit of a dilemma and could use some advice. I'm currently 19 and extremely fortunate in terms of finances. My parents are well-off, so I won’t have to pay for undergrad or med school, and I’ll even have a good amount of money to invest until I become a physician in my early 30s.

I have two paths in front of me: data science or becoming a doctor. For the pre-med route, I don’t need to take the MCAT; I just need to maintain my GPA due to a combined med program I'm part of (I can apply out if I want.) Here’s where it gets tricky: I want to become a physician more than anything. However, I keep hearing from doctors, both in real life and online, that becoming a physician isn’t worth it anymore due to issues with mid-levels, admin, commercialization, etc. I’ve been aware of these challenges for years because I’ve always researched career options deeply, even at my age.

I’m not interested in medicine for the money or prestige, or even just to help people (though that’s a big part of it but many doctors tell me it’s overblown). I genuinely think I’d enjoy the day-to-day job of being a physician more than being an engineer or any job that I can think of for that matter. I despise coding, even though I love math. I got into a very prestigious school for Data Science (you’ve all heard of it), but I get depressed thinking about a career in tech, despite the entrepreneurial opportunities and higher potential earnings that comes with the field and my associated university.

On paper, becoming a software engineer seems like a no-brainer financially. I’d likely be much wealthier compared to going through residency and all the associated challenges, including the low salary during those years. But on a deeper level, I want to be a physician—not for money, prestige, or to help people in the traditional sense, but because I think I’d genuinely enjoy the work.

I understand that medicine is a business and that I won’t be saving or helping people every day. The same goes for tech, where you’re often just completing tasks given by a manager (my entire family is in tech, so I’ve seen this firsthand).

On top of that, I keep hearing about how hard med school is and how residency can be really tough, even making some people depressed. It sounds horrible, but I still think I might prefer it over a career in tech. But maybe I have rose tinted glasses on.

What do you guys think? Is it worth pursuing a career in medicine given my circumstances, or should I take the seemingly easier financial path with data science? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Data science is not easy to get a job in this market, even if you are from a top undergraduate program. No one knows when it will change.

 

[pinstripe-pies]

I can't necessarily offer any advice, but I can provide insight as someone who has faced similar questions and circumstances.

I pursued a computer science degree in university - not because I was particularly interested in it, but because coding came fairly easily. I didn't think much about what I actually wanted to do until I was more than 3/4 of the way through my degree. At that point, I thought medicine might seriously be the path to pursue, but it seemed like a better idea (esp. financially) to just finish my degree and work in tech instead. I was secretly hoping that working in software would make the medicine-itch go away.

I got a job as a software developer right out of college and worked there for about two years before quitting and trying to pivot into medicine. During that time, I realized what OP has described - the daily work of software devs and data analysts was, for me, boring, anxiety-inducing despite being easy, and frankly quite depressing. This is not the case for everyone, and I know a lot of really happy people working in tech. But for me, I craved having more direct, individual, face-to-face interactions, helping real people who were right in front of me instead of pushing code off into the cloud to be used by who-knows-who, who-knows-where, etc. I also wanted to have opportunities to affect people's health and well-being, in order to help people thrive in their own lives and in their own bodies. At the end of my time working in software, I realized that the only motivator I had to continue in tech (at least in this way) was the money. For me, this wasn't a good enough reason to stay.

Now, I'll be starting a job as an MA in a couple weeks, and I am beyond excited to be in this setting. I have no illusions about changing people's lives. I will be doing absolutely no doctor-ing in this role. But while becoming a physician will remain the end goal, I will also be doing work in the meantime that is, to me, highly meaningful and exciting. For me, making this change in careers feels like a no-brainer. (But a caveat here: I'm just starting this path! I have no idea what its actually like to be a doctor. Keep this in mind.)

I can't and won't give you any advice about what path you should take. But I can give some ideas for more contemplation and exploration that may help you determine what you want to do:

• What specifically about the work of doctors is appealing to you? This isn't clear in your original post, and different specialties have vastly different day-to-day work. Make opportunities now, while you're early on in your path, to shadow real physicians in a variety of specialties and see what you do and don't like about their work. You may be surprised by what you find here.
• Have you had opportunities to see the day-to-day work that data analysts and software devs actually do? There's not really an equivalent to "shadowing" in tech, but speaking with real people who work in tech can give you a lot of insight here. Additionally, taking a summer to do a tech-focused internship could prove very valuable if its something you can fit into your academic schedule.
• Is money a good enough reason for you to choose one career over another? Its okay if the answer is yes, but you have to be really honest with yourself on this topic.
  • Editing to add: estimate the opportunity cost of 6-12 years not spent working in tech. Realistically, how much money are you giving up here? What does losing this income mean for you - is it debt? (based on your description of your support systems, I'm guessing this isn't the case). Is it waiting longer to have financial independence from your parents? Does it mean you can't take a huge international trip each year, or you can't give to charity as much as you want? Is it just that you want to see the bank account grow? Figure out what that money actually means to you, and this will help you understand if money is a good enough reason to do one career over another.
• Is the difficulty of med school and residency enough reason for you to choose one career over another? Again, its okay if the answer is yes. But you need to understand your own resilience and grit here.

A couple last notes:

1. Its not the end of the world if you choose wrong the first time. Yes, you may be set back a bit in your career timeline if you need to redo some education. But your world will not end! There are plenty of people (like me!) who went into tech and then made a switch to medicine (and many people who waited even longer than me to make the switch).

2. So my opinion would say, why not do something in the data science realm for a non-profit, rather than just go right to big tech? That way you can scratch that itch of helping people while not having to throw yourself into the rigors of med school and residency.

   Many, many people will give you this kind of advice (I have heard so much of "why not try to work as a software developer for a biotech company?"), but my opinion is that it comes from people who don't fully understand what the tech world looks like. It's important to understand that working as a developer/data analyst pretty much never means direct, face-to-face contact with the customers you are helping. This is the same regardless of whether the company is works in biotech, social media, e-commerce, construction equipment, or whatever other random thing. The nature of the work is more or less the same, regardless of the subject of the work. So if its the nature of the work - as opposed to just the subject matter - this won't actually change anything for you. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't contemplate other ways to scratch the itch, but just that this probably won't be an effective way to do it.

 

[Dull_significance]

Couldn't agree more with this from Pinstripe-pies above: "the daily work of software devs and data analysts was, for me, boring, anxiety-inducing despite being easy, and frankly quite depressing. This is not the case for everyone, and I know a lot of really happy people working in tech. But for me, I craved having more direct, individual, face-to-face interactions, helping real people who were right in front of me instead of pushing code off into the cloud to be used by who-knows-who, who-knows-where, etc. I also wanted to have opportunities to affect people's health and well-being, in order to help people thrive in their own lives and in their own bodies."

I've been working for a health-tech company for three years. Great money but I personally find it extremely unfulfilling and unhealthy. Like others have said there are pro's and con's to every job. You have to find what energizes YOU. For me full-time tech wasn't in and pending my application I will hopefully be transitioning to medical school next year.