Kind of a Dilemma Here- Should I Be A Doctor?

[TheBossDoctor]

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Alright so here's my situation. Ever since middle school, my plans have been to go into medicine. Not necessarily because I was that passionate about it, but more because my parents were pushing me into that field. I didn't really think much of it, and I sort of just complied with them.

I'm a junior in college, and I've been taking all my pre-med classes and doing some medical EC's (like volunteering, research, shadowing, etc.). However, I don't really know if medicine is for me. The idea of saving lives does sound kind of cool, but I don't know if I'm really as passionate about being a doctor as other people are. I will admit I'm mainly in it for the money. I never really found volunteering in a hospital, research, or even shadowing to be that interesting. My grades are good, but I just never found the pre-med stuff to be that interesting.

I've been thinking about alternate careers, and I've especially looked into actuarial sciences. I've always been more of a math person than a science person, and I've always been more of a technical/logical/problem-solving person than a humanistic/people's person (I'm not socially awkward, but I'm not really the most caring person out there). I find my stats and econ classes to be more interesting than most of my science classes. I also like how the actuarial lifestyle is much better than a doctor's lifestyle, and we can start earning money sooner (and the pay can be similar to a primary care doctor's pay if you become an actuarial fellow).

Now my parents are starting to be ok with me being an actuary, although I'm sure they would rather me be a doctor. I'm leaning towards going the actuarial route (more interesting/better fit for me), but it feels weird to turn down a career that I've pursued for so long, and it seems weird to choose a career where you can't make that much of a difference in people's lives and have that prestige.

So I just wanted to get your guys opinions on this. What do you think I should do?

 

[hmainn]

I was in a similar boat, but was interested in medicine. My parents were pushing me in that direction ever since it was my dream as a child... as a result, I rebelled and told them that I needed to make my own decision.
After they apologized and showed me that they would support which ever field I chose, I chose medicine myself. As I shadowed and volunteered, that interest grew into a passion.

If you're finding yourself not interested in the premed classes, I find that to be kind of normal. But to not be interested even after being around the profession during shadowing and volunteering, I would take as a sign.

Sure, you've already completed a couple years of college and it could seem like a "waste", but you'll be working your whole life; do something you're not going to regret (as much haha). And you could also think of those premed years as a good way to know that it wasn't your path to take.

A good friend of mine has been on the engineering route for a few years. He should have actually graduated this past year, but he's starting up in psychology now because he realizes that's what he's interested in. Sure he's bummed to know that his friends are out of school. But he tells me he can't wait to learn something new in classes.

I'm not trying to advise you so much as paint the actuary route in a better light (since I'm assuming most people want you to graduate earlier). Honestly, we could use more doctors in this nation, so that'd be cool if you went the doctor route.

Hope you make a decision that you will be happy with 🙂

 

[A7X]

Choose to do what you'll be happy doing for the rest of your life. If you think you'll enjoy being an actuary, than don't become a doctor and end up regretting it for the rest of your life.

 

[thesauce]

Alright so here's my situation. Ever since middle school, my plans have been to go into medicine. Not necessarily because I was that passionate about it, but more because my parents were pushing me into that field. I didn't really think much of it, and I sort of just complied with them.

I'm a junior in college, and I've been taking all my pre-med classes and doing some medical EC's (like volunteering, research, shadowing, etc.).

Major red flags. Time to put your big boy pants on.

The idea of saving lives does sound kind of cool,

You are unlikely to be doing much of this in medicine

but I don't know if I'm really as passionate about being a doctor as other people are. I will admit I'm mainly in it for the money. I never really found volunteering in a hospital, research, or even shadowing to be that interesting. My grades are good,

Your grades need to be better than good. They must be excellent and you'll need a stellar MCAT to boot.

but I just never found the pre-med stuff to be that interesting.

Very few of us do

I've been thinking about alternate careers, and I've especially looked into actuarial sciences. I've always been more of a math person than a science person, and I've always been more of a technical/logical/problem-solving person than a humanistic/people's person (I'm not socially awkward, but I'm not really the most caring person out there). I find my stats and econ classes to be more interesting than most of my science classes. I also like how the actuarial lifestyle is much better than a doctor's lifestyle, and we can start earning money sooner (and the pay can be similar to a primary care doctor's pay if you become an actuarial fellow).

Now my parents are starting to be ok with me being an actuary, although I'm sure they would rather me be a doctor. I'm leaning towards going the actuarial route (more interesting/better fit for me), but it feels weird to turn down a career that I've pursued for so long, and it seems weird to choose a career where you can't make that much of a difference in people's lives and have that prestige.

So I just wanted to get your guys opinions on this. What do you think I should do?

Sounds like you've found something you like. The bolded section shouldn't even come into play anymore.

 

[EBTrailRunner]

I think if you re-read what you wrote, you'll find that you answered your own question of whether to continue pursuing medicine. You're only what, 20, 21? Deciding on a different career trajectory at this stage is no big deal at all. Pursue your interests and see where they take you.

 

[pre med 2014]

Work for a couple of years as an actuary and see if it's for you. If you don't like it it still won't be to late for medicine

You'll make some money too. Can't you become an actuary right out of college no graduate degree required? It doesn't seem like a bad deal, take a test for $200 and get a job for 30-40K/year minimum?

 

[ChartaBona]

So, you don't like anything that has to do with being a doctor. You just want money and prestige. Are we talking about the same profession here?

Why would you even consider a career that requires so much time and money if you don't even like it? 😕

This is a no-brainer.

 

[hj3818]

I have a degree in accounting. I've worked in the industry for two years that feels like two lifetimes. Not only did I use 3.5 years doing something I do NOT love, but I'm shuffling money back into my alma mater for a new degree, plus 4 more years of medical school. I'm the happiest I've been since I started college, but I wouldn't, for a second, re-do what I did. You should never just feel okay about what you're choosing to do your whole life. Every industry has its pros and cons and if you're just eh about the pros, and think you can probably just tough it out, you're wrong... a career is a huge part of your life and if that's not going well, you're most likely not going to be happy overall.