Hypothetically...

Started by AnkleGuy
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A

AnkleGuy

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If you dropped out or failed out of medical school for whatever reason, what would you do as a second favorite career? And if you can, choose something that isn't a physician lol
 
Lawyer.

I would experience a high level of career satisfaction with this career, but the job market is saturated in many areas.
 
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If I didn't have debt I'd probably be an athletic trainer and would try to be a professional triathlete/racer on the side. I've missed participating in competitive sports more than anything in med school. If I had a bunch of debt, probably something in chemical engineering, maybe try and be a professor if I thought I could land a position without getting a PhD.
 
AnkleGuy said:
If you dropped out or failed out of medical school for whatever reason, what would you do as a second favorite career? And if you can, choose something that isn't a physician lol
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1) If all this is just for fun and not meant to be realistic, then I'll pick pro surfer or other pro athlete because why not.

2) However, if this is supposed to be realistic, I'll try to offer some practical advice:

If you want a similar kind of "professional" job (there's probably a better term to describe this), then do your best to finish your MD. An MD even without completing a residency will likely help open doors to similar kinds of "professional" jobs. For example, depending on how you sell it, it could look good to have an MD if you want to apply for an MBA at a good business school. With an MD and MBA from a good business school, you could do lots of things. For example, you could join a consulting firm like Accenture in their health division. You could become a hospital admin (join the dark side) and make great money. Lots of options.

If you don't want a "professional" kind of a job, or if you have failed out of med school, but you still want a relatively high paying job with good hours, then computer programming (and related fields) is still a good option (assuming you like the work). Try to work for a medical research related company or institution. For example, I have a friend who is a self-taught programmer who works for Craig Venter's Human Longevity making great money for a programmer with great hours (a lot better than almost any physician). That's something someone with some medical knowledge could transition into as well.

If you don't want a "professional" kind of a job, or if you have failed out of med school, but you still want something in medicine or health care, then you could try to be a nurse (RN), then become a CRNA, and get great pay and have a great lifestyle. Probably as much money (or more) as many PCPs in general. But if you're willing to go to undesirable areas, or join a CRNA run group (yes these exist), then you can even make as much as some anesthesiologists make (surprising but true).
 
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bashwell said:
1) If all this is just for fun and not meant to be realistic, then I'll pick pro surfer or other pro athlete because why not.

2) However, if this is supposed to be realistic, I'll try to offer some practical advice:

If you want a similar kind of "professional" job (there's probably a better term to describe this), then do your best to finish your MD. An MD even without completing a residency will likely help open doors to similar kinds of "professional" jobs. For example, depending on how you sell it, it could look good to have an MD if you want to apply for an MBA at a good business school. With an MD and MBA from a good business school, you could do lots of things. For example, you could join a consulting firm like Accenture in their health division. You could become a hospital admin (join the dark side) and make great money. Lots of options.

If you don't want a "professional" kind of a job, or if you have failed out of med school, but you still want a relatively high paying job with good hours, then computer programming (and related fields) is still a good option (assuming you like the work). Try to work for a medical research related company or institution. For example, I have a friend who is a self-taught programmer who works for Craig Venter's Human Longevity making great money for a programmer with great hours (a lot better than almost any physician). That's something someone with some medical knowledge could transition into as well.

If you don't want a "professional" kind of a job, or if you have failed out of med school, but you still want something in medicine or health care, then you could try to be a nurse (RN), then become a CRNA, and get great pay and have a great lifestyle. Probably as much money (or more) as many PCPs in general. But if you're willing to go to undesirable areas, or join a CRNA run group (yes these exist), then you can even make as much as some anesthesiologists make (surprising but true).
Click to expand...

Huh this took a serious turn but that's really sound advice! I had no idea programmers can make good money. Becoming a programmer probably takes a long time I'm assuming?
 
Prob would have done what I almost did anyway, join the military, go to law school and try to get into the FBI.

Wouldn't have traded pursuing medicine for anything though.
 
AnkleGuy said:
Huh this took a serious turn but that's really sound advice! I had no idea programmers can make good money. Becoming a programmer probably takes a long time I'm assuming?
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Sorry, I didn't mean to ruin the fun! I just wasn't sure if you were asking because you're thinking of leaving med school, or more just for fun.

Nah, it doesn't take that long to learn programming. (Speaking as a computer science major). My friend is a liberal arts major, and a self-taught programmer. I think it took him a lot less than a year overall. He probably makes almost as much money as a PCP. Not quite, but almost, and with much better hours. I think there are also programming "boot camps" you can do. I don't know much about these, but I assume it's not so much for the learning (which you can do on your own) but to meet people who can help you land a good job.
 
all around answer winner:
high school English teacher

shocked??

more or less realistic:
maybe Spanish teacher, Spanish translator, cultural anthropologist, sexologist, community theater actress (not porn guys, leaked home sex tapes don't count)
 
Crayola227 said:
all around answer winner:
high school English teacher

shocked??

more or less realistic:
maybe Spanish teacher, Spanish translator, cultural anthropologist, sexologist, community theater actress (not porn guys, leaked home sex tapes don't count)
Click to expand...
5ChWA.jpg
 
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Medicine is the only real job that ever really appealed to me so I don't know. I'd probably be a hiking or rafting guide and teach English in the side in Argentina. I wouldn't want to do that for more than a few years. No idea what id do next
 
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