Is it wrong that I don't have strong work ethic?

[DepressedDoc]

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Hey guys, first year pre med here. I was initially planning to be a doctor but I realized quickly that I don't have the work ethic and I'm simply not the kind of guy who can put in so many hours.

Admitting this has gained much controversy from parents who happen to be extremely hard working. I told them I'd like to switch to something easier like Business and they simply laughed and then got Angry insisting I shouldn't pick such an "easy and useless major" I've tried repeated times to make myself do the work, however, I simply cannot bring myself to do it.

I don't get it, some people just like to be laid back. I'm the kind of guy that's content making 70k a year but apparently this is considered taboo by parents and friends... what the hell?

 

[QuizzicalApe]

When you say you don't have the work ethic to put in a lot of hours, what sort of hours range are you actually looking to end up with, and do you have a specific job in mind where you can both work those hours and get a salary you're comfortable with?

 

[Tolip]

Do something you're actually interested in. It's your life, not your parents'.

 

[PremedGunner]

gen chem wins again! srsly, its not that hard.

 

[Choob]

If you like business more than do that. You will work hard to make bread in business too. 70k a year is not bad income but that isn't going to be just handed to you because you got a business degree.

 

[Perrotfish]

I don't get it, some people just like to be laid back. I'm the kind of guy that's content making 70k a year but apparently this is considered taboo by parents and friends... what the hell?

Your parents want you to be safe. A business degree and a poor work ethic might get you your comfortable job if times are good, but you might find yourself flailing for white collar work if things get rough. I know a lot of very hard working people in business that aren't making 70K this year, in fact I know a few that aren't making anything at all. Also having fewer marketable skills means that people can actually bully you into working harder further down the line. A lot of attending physicians can trade some of their pay for better hours, once they're done with residency. Medicine is in high demand and low supply and it's pretty easy to negotiate. A middle manager in a bad economy, though, can easily be goaded into workingt extra hours even while his pay is getting cut, because he knows he has nowhere to go if he gets canned.

Your parents probably also want you to realize that your view of what is a 'good' paycheck might change down the line. You might get married, have a couple of kids, and find out that while you're perfectly comfortable making 70K for yourself it makes you miserable that you can't manage to get your children the opportunities you want them to have. The first time someone bullies your daughter, and the overworked, underpaid public school teacher ignores it, are you going to be fine telling her to tough it out because you can't afford private school?

There's a lot of people who found out that taking the easy road turned out to be harder in the long run. I'm not saying be a doctor, I'm not even saying you should necessarily work harder in business, I'm just saying that you need to make sure you're doing what you're going to be happy with in the long run, rather than what you'd be happiest with in college.

 

[Corpsman Up]

Hey guys, first year pre med here. I was initially planning to be a doctor but I realized quickly that I don't have the work ethic and I'm simply not the kind of guy who can put in so many hours.

Admitting this has gained much controversy from parents who happen to be extremely hard working. I told them I'd like to switch to something easier like Business and they simply laughed and then got Angry insisting I shouldn't pick such an "easy and useless major" I've tried repeated times to make myself do the work, however, I simply cannot bring myself to do it.

I don't get it, some people just like to be laid back. I'm the kind of guy that's content making 70k a year but apparently this is considered taboo by parents and friends... what the hell?

Good luck, 70k a year is good money. Think about how hard a mechanical engineer has to work in college...and they only start at like 55k. Most of the professors at my university dont come close to making 70k. People that make that kind of money typically have to work pretty hard for it

Your best bet would probably be to get an associates in a medically related field like nuclear medicine tech or something, they only go to school 2yrs and start out around 50k a year

 

[DepressedDoc]

Premed Gunner, nobody asked you that, go gawk at your molecules.


I'm just looking for a low stress job where I don't really have to worry about erratic schedules or something. I'm not saying pay me 200k for an easy job, but more like pay me 60k for an easy job.

You see, I grew up in a very luxurious environment, my Dad's in machine parts business and rakes in about 400-500k a year easy. This meant that I was pretty much handed everything from the start; it's turned me into the kind of kid that doesn't really want to work his ass off... instead I'm content with a job which allows me life outside of work. Preferably a job which offers social benefits like the ability to make lots of friends and one that will allow me to go on vacations often.

 

[DepressedDoc]

Your parents want you to be safe. A business degree and a poor work ethic might get you your comfortable job if times are good, but you might find yourself flailing for white collar work if things get rough. I know a lot of very hard working people in business that aren't making 70K this year, in fact I know a few that aren't making anything at all. Also having fewer marketable skills means that people can actually bully you into working harder further down the line. A lot of attending physicians can trade some of their pay for better hours, once they're done with residency. Medicine is in high demand and low supply and it's pretty easy to negotiate. A middle manager in a bad economy, though, can easily be goaded into workingt extra hours even while his pay is getting cut, because he knows he has nowhere to go if he gets canned.

Your parents probably also want you to realize that your view of what is a 'good' paycheck might change down the line. You might get married, have a couple of kids, and find out that while you're perfectly comfortable making 70K for yourself it makes you miserable that you can't manage to get your children the opportunities you want them to have. The first time someone bullies your daughter, and the overworked, underpaid public school teacher ignores it, are you going to be fine telling her to tough it out because you can't afford private school?

There's a lot of people who found out that taking the easy road turned out to be harder in the long run. I'm not saying be a doctor, I'm not even saying you should necessarily work harder in business, I'm just saying that you need to make sure you're doing what you're going to be happy with in the long run, rather than what you'd be happiest with in college.

Good insight. You're right about looking at the long run aka big picture. However, how is it even possible to predict what things will be like in the long run?

Right now I'm pretty much not enjoying Medicine but I'm forcing myself to continue because it seems like picking an alternate path uberly sucks in the long run. I really don't know what else I would do, but I can't see myself getting very far in Med because of my laziness and lack of determination.

 

[Perrotfish]

Good insight. You're right about looking at the long run aka big picture. However, how is it even possible to predict what things will be like in the long run?

Right now I'm pretty much not enjoying Medicine but I'm forcing myself to continue because it seems like picking an alternate path uberly sucks in the long run. I really don't know what else I would do, but I can't see myself getting very far in Med because of my laziness and lack of determination.

Well, maybe you should consider the idea that you're not someone with a bad work ethic so much as someone who is not interested in medicine specifically. I know I ended up in medicine because working in my first choice field (Chemistry) was so depressing I was actually getting physically sick. Ditch medicine, but use your time in college to figure out if there is a field you actually CAN get motivated for. Try out engineering, research sciences, business, law, construction, economics, public policy, marketing, a military career, etc, and see if there is something that you could actually imagine yourself spending 60+ hours/week on without feeling miserable. That way when times get rough and your 40 hr/week job turns into a 60 hr/week job you won't start jumping off of tall objects.

Keep changing majors and doing internships in different fields every summer until you get it right (your Dad can obviously afford for you to spend some extra time in University). I'm not saying that you need to be thrilled to show up for work every morning or should want to work every waking hour (I'm not) but you do need to be able to feel like there is something besides a paycheck that's getting you there (I, currently, do). Otherwise however few hours your working they will drag on forever.

As for knowing what's going to happen in the long run: you're right that there's no way to know for sure, but you can definitely make an educated guess. If you look at two 20 year olds, one is a straight A physics major, and the other one spends his time screwing around with his guitar and hard drugs you can make a good guess that things will turn out better for the physics major. Of course every once in awhile the physicis major will turn into the unibomber and the drugie will turn out to be Keith Richards, but the odds are still the odds. Do the best you can with what you have and then trust in God.

 

[drghost]

I'm just looking for a low stress job where I don't really have to worry about erratic schedules or something. I'm not saying pay me 200k for an easy job, but more like pay me 60k for an easy job.

Don't continue premed if you don't have the energy for it now. If you happen to make medical school, it will crush you if you have any doubts about your desire to be a physician.

You like business? Go for a finance or econ degree and enjoy your life. High school you have to listen to your parents. In college it is time to be your own man/woman. Helicopter parenting is a problem for a lot of freshman, but, it is your parents problem not yours - they need to let go some and let you live your life.

Good luck. 👍

 

[gettheleadout]

^ Seriously? Chops and I and now you ALL have that sig?

You see, I grew up in a very luxurious environment, my Dad's in machine parts business and rakes in about 400-500k a year easy. This meant that I was pretty much handed everything from the start; it's turned me into the kind of kid that doesn't really want to work his ass off... instead I'm content with a job which allows me life outside of work. Preferably a job which offers social benefits like the ability to make lots of friends and one that will allow me to go on vacations often.

Like traveling vacations that will be expensive or just not working?

 

[orthomyxo]

^ Seriously? Chops and I and now you ALL have that sig?

In their defense, it's hilarious.

 

[Grom]

I'm just looking for a low stress...easy job...offers social benefits like the ability to make lots of friends and one that will allow me to go on vacations often.

And you want to take something easy/don't want to work hard in college.

I'll give you my honest opinion here. I think you're asking for a lot, too much in fact. Plenty of people want what you're asking for: an easy, decent paying job, lots of friends, and ability to go on vacations, after taking things easy in college. But for most people, things in life don't come so easy.

 

[gettheleadout]

In their defense, it's hilarious.

Eh, true lol

 

[em3761]

just keep in mind that even if you do the business major it's gonna involve doing work at one point. so if you're just picking it because it's the easiest (not because it interests you) it'll just make it suck more on the rare occasions when you DO have homework, because you'll have no interest. so pick a major that you care about so doing work isn't horribly painful...

 

[ucsfstudents]

At this point in life, you are allowed to make your own decisions and your own mistakes. Follow the path that you feel is right for you. Pursue a career that interests you, where your strengths will be valued.

 

[Playa]

How are you a first year pre med student if your status says your a med student?

 

[SusGob711]

If you're miserable now imagine how you'll feel when you're pulling 50+weeks studying in medical school or working 80+ hours/week in residency. Even the people that voluntarily choose this major have second thoughts (i.e. me, lol) so I'm not sure why you'd think about forcing it to fit. This is a major that we should all constantly question and if you have doubts now--run. You're still a first year so switching won't put you horribly behind.

Now that being said--I'm not sure any major is not going to require work. Maybe spending some time abroad working in an under served area will offer you some perspective. You should have a strong work ethic whether you're a waitress or a brain surgeon. Just my own thoughts. Best of luck to you--parents can make us all crazy but in the end you're the one getting up to go to work everyday--might as well enjoy it 🙂

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

If you don't have good work ethic you'll quickly develop some on the job.

 

[lsu hopeful]

I've worked in business for a few years, have a BA in Business Administration, and am half-way through my MBA, so I may have some experience and insight to offer you.

My first response, don't go into business, unless you have a specific something you're wanting to do that excites you. Making it in business is more about personal work ethic than ANYTHING else. If you see yourself as lazy and having a bad work ethic, others will see this and they WILL punish you for it, in some fashion, whether it be you don't get in with the good clique at work because you suck in group work, or you have your hours cut because you don't perform valuably, or you're flat out fired because you're lazy.

What you're asking for is a dream job (be lazy, have an above average income in a below average market, not work many hours, have lots of time for making friends, hanging with friends, going on vacations, etc.). Getting that kind of mix is going to take lots of hard work.

Consider why I've made it this far in business and I'm changing to medicine... I thought business was great and fun and easy $, turns out it's paper pushing and I'm switching to do something I'm genuinely interested in... medicine.

Don't do just enough to get by... find something that makes you happy to get up every day, something that gets you excited on a daily basis... that's the job you want. It's up to YOU to find out what that something is, not your parents or your friends.

 

[drdandelion]

Premed Gunner, nobody asked you that, go gawk at your molecules.


I'm just looking for a low stress job where I don't really have to worry about erratic schedules or something. I'm not saying pay me 200k for an easy job, but more like pay me 60k for an easy job.

You see, I grew up in a very luxurious environment, my Dad's in machine parts business and rakes in about 400-500k a year easy. This meant that I was pretty much handed everything from the start; it's turned me into the kind of kid that doesn't really want to work his ass off... instead I'm content with a job which allows me life outside of work. Preferably a job which offers social benefits like the ability to make lots of friends and one that will allow me to go on vacations often.

At least you were honest! If you do wanna be a doctor, the don't do it! A simple solution to a simple problem.

 

[chrisoc13]

So... depresseddoc, are you actually an IMG or are you stringing everyone ins these forums along?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=756305

It seems like we are getting some different stories out of you. One is that you are done with your first year of med school... the other is that you are done with your first year of college. I'm confused, care to clarify?

Also in that thread you say your dad makes 100k, in this one 4-500k... what's the true story here? Seems to me there are some inconsistencies going on.

Just wondering:

It's really a huge step to take. I'm leaning towards quitting and I only have a few days left to decide... but I don't want to regret this decision for the rest of my life.

Did you decide to quit?

 

[Musclemass]

This is a troll. Or a little kid playing "grownup". Or some lonely and clueless soul trying to have more human interaction than normal.

It's all make believe. No need for anyone to waste time responding.

 

[DepressedDoc]

So... depresseddoc, are you actually an IMG or are you stringing everyone ins these forums along?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=756305

It seems like we are getting some different stories out of you. One is that you are done with your first year of med school... the other is that you are done with your first year of college. I'm confused, care to clarify?

Also in that thread you say your dad makes 100k, in this one 4-500k... what's the true story here? Seems to me there are some inconsistencies going on.

Just wondering:


Did you decide to quit?

I'm a Med student, first year. When did I say I was a pre med? Maybe my mistake or something, I tend to type very late at night.

My father makes 400k but recently its like 100k, due to recession the business is slow and I have to take that into consideration. Plus, I wanted some good advice because once you tell someone your dad makes 400k, they will usually say something like "well you don't have anything to worry about" how about I just act like he barely makes anything? Then maybe I might be able to actually accomplish something.

 

[chrisoc13]

I'm a Med student, first year. When did I say I was a pre med? Maybe my mistake or something, I tend to type very late at night.

My father makes 400k but recently its like 100k, due to recession the business is slow and I have to take that into consideration. Plus, I wanted some good advice because once you tell someone your dad makes 400k, they will usually say something like "well you don't have anything to worry about" how about I just act like he barely makes anything? Then maybe I might be able to actually accomplish something.

Yeah I don't believe you. Your two stories don't really add up well and the only thing you have done is post two threads like this... two many inconsistencies in your threads. According to your last thread you only had days to decide all melodramatic like. Sorry bud, but I'm going to call a troll a troll.

 

[Ischemic]

I'm a Med student, first year. When did I say I was a pre med? Maybe my mistake or something, I tend to type very late at night.

My father makes 400k but recently its like 100k, due to recession the business is slow and I have to take that into consideration. Plus, I wanted some good advice because once you tell someone your dad makes 400k, they will usually say something like "well you don't have anything to worry about" how about I just act like he barely makes anything? Then maybe I might be able to actually accomplish something.

Yeah, I don't buy this **** either.

"Hey guys, first year pre med here. I was initially planning to be a doctor but I realized quickly that I don't have the work ethic and I'm simply not the kind of guy who can put in so many hours.

Admitting this has gained much controversy from parents who happen to be extremely hard working. I told them I'd like to switch to something easier like Business and they simply laughed and then got Angry insisting I shouldn't pick such an "easy and useless major" I've tried repeated times to make myself do the work, however, I simply cannot bring myself to do it."

No, that first sentence was NOT a typo because later on you mentioned major. Useless. Why don't you hurry up and return under your bridge. I can't believe jackasses like you like wasting people's valuable time giving you advice.

God, trolls are so ****ing dumb. You think we wouldn't figure out your inconsistencies?

 

[DepressedDoc]

Yeah, I don't buy this **** either.

"Hey guys, first year pre med here. I was initially planning to be a doctor but I realized quickly that I don't have the work ethic and I'm simply not the kind of guy who can put in so many hours.

Admitting this has gained much controversy from parents who happen to be extremely hard working. I told them I'd like to switch to something easier like Business and they simply laughed and then got Angry insisting I shouldn't pick such an "easy and useless major" I've tried repeated times to make myself do the work, however, I simply cannot bring myself to do it."

No, that first sentence was NOT a typo because later on you mentioned major. Useless. Why don't you hurry up and return under your bridge. I can't believe jackasses like you like wasting people's valuable time giving you advice.

God, trolls are so ****ing dumb. You think we wouldn't figure out your inconsistencies?

Wow, you're truly ignorant and foolish. Obviously you don't know how to analyze anything I said... let me point it out to you. Pay attention or you might throw a fit again.

1. The first sentence WAS A typo... since I was posting in the pre-med forum, naturally it was in my subconscious and I put pre-med by mistake.

2. If I was a troll, I wouldn't ask for fake advice; trolls don't accidentally annoy people, they intentionally do it, why would I waste my time asking for advice when I can exploit the various holes in the health care plan to intentionally annoy?

3. Business is a Major. I already said I was an IMG in my other topic which means I didn't complete college before coming here. Most IMGs I know came after 12th, it's easier to just say I want to "switch majors" rather than "I want to go back after a year of med school and continue college as a different major" Get it now?

 

[Ischemic]

Wow, you're truly ignorant and foolish. Obviously you don't know how to analyze anything I said... let me point it out to you. Pay attention or you might throw a fit again.

1. The first sentence WAS A typo... since I was posting in the pre-med forum, naturally it was in my subconscious and I put pre-med by mistake.

2. If I was a troll, I wouldn't ask for fake advice; trolls don't accidentally annoy people, they intentionally do it, why would I waste my time asking for advice when I can exploit the various holes in the health care plan to intentionally annoy?

3. Business is a Major. I already said I was an IMG in my other topic which means I didn't complete college before coming here. Most IMGs I know came after 12th, it's easier to just say I want to "switch majors" rather than "I want to go back after a year of med school and continue college as a different major" Get it now?

Sorry I can't hear what you're saying over the sound of rushing water. You might want to speak up.

 

[CoolWhipp]

Is it wrong that I like to put cheese in my peanut butter and jelly sandwich?

 

[DrYoda]

A sentence long typo?! That must warrant some kind of medal.

 

[Perrotfish]

Guys this really is not that complicated. He's in the first year of an MBBS type program. The American equivalent of that is a premed, since he's not at what we would call preclinicals and he's just out of HS, but technically he's in medical school.

 

[DepressedDoc]

Guys this really is not that complicated. He's in the first year of an MBBS type program. The American equivalent of that is a premed, since he's not at what we would call preclinicals and he's just out of HS, but technically he's in medical school.

Precisely! I don't know why nobody understood this. Thank you Perrotfish.