I am currently a 26 year old pre-med student finishing my last year of undergrad. Assuming everything goes as planned, I should be taking my MCAT next summer and applying to medical school shortly after. Although, I believe I am a solid applicant (3.98 GPA, tons of shadowing, research, and volunteering) there is one issue that has caused me to think twice about medicine. I'm hoping that someone can provide some advice to help me made a decision. But first, a little back story...
A few years ago I was just getting out of the military and decided to take a temporary job with a nearby company. To make a long story short, the owner took a strong liking to me and asked me to stay on as a full time employee. However, I declined to pursue a higher education. He was adamant with his offer, and mentioned that he wanted to help start me in business, but I wasn't interested at the time. I remember the other managers looking at me as if I was crazy.
Anyway, fast forward about a year and I find out that this guy is an extremely successful entrepreneur who sold his first company for around five billion dollars. I wondered if I had made a mistake by declining his offer, but as a hopeful premed I thought that even if I had missed a once in a lifetime opportunity, at least I followed my passion and not money. However, after extensive shadowing and corresponding with a handful of doctors and surgeons, I'm not so sure that's the case anymore. Almost all of the doctors I've spoken to have urged me not to go into medicine, and shadowing has only showed me that most attendings are dissatisfied at best and trapped in a mountain of paperwork.
Recently, out of curiosity, I decided to reach out to the entrepreneur that I used to work for, and surprisingly, he not only remembered me, but also told me that his offer is still on the table. Now, I am at a crossroad. I don't know if I'm just burned out, and should just push through to medical school, or if staying on the path to medicine would be stubborn and I should accept the job offer.
The annoying thing is that I have a genuine interest in both areas, which makes my choice even more difficult. I was a rescue swimmer in the Navy and really enjoyed the paramedic type procedures I got to do. In fact, the reason I left the military was because I wanted to be able to do more and know more. Additionally, I had the opportunity to help save an injured policeman who was being crushed under a car and I have to say, that experience was extraordinary and humbling. On the other side, I find that I am a bit of an entrepreneur myself and have started small businesses since I've been in college and find that to be extremely fulfilling as well.
I think that I would enjoy both professions, but I wonder two things; in terms of medicine, is the juice worth the squeeze, and would it be crazy to turn down this business connection for the second time?
A few years ago I was just getting out of the military and decided to take a temporary job with a nearby company. To make a long story short, the owner took a strong liking to me and asked me to stay on as a full time employee. However, I declined to pursue a higher education. He was adamant with his offer, and mentioned that he wanted to help start me in business, but I wasn't interested at the time. I remember the other managers looking at me as if I was crazy.
Anyway, fast forward about a year and I find out that this guy is an extremely successful entrepreneur who sold his first company for around five billion dollars. I wondered if I had made a mistake by declining his offer, but as a hopeful premed I thought that even if I had missed a once in a lifetime opportunity, at least I followed my passion and not money. However, after extensive shadowing and corresponding with a handful of doctors and surgeons, I'm not so sure that's the case anymore. Almost all of the doctors I've spoken to have urged me not to go into medicine, and shadowing has only showed me that most attendings are dissatisfied at best and trapped in a mountain of paperwork.
Recently, out of curiosity, I decided to reach out to the entrepreneur that I used to work for, and surprisingly, he not only remembered me, but also told me that his offer is still on the table. Now, I am at a crossroad. I don't know if I'm just burned out, and should just push through to medical school, or if staying on the path to medicine would be stubborn and I should accept the job offer.
The annoying thing is that I have a genuine interest in both areas, which makes my choice even more difficult. I was a rescue swimmer in the Navy and really enjoyed the paramedic type procedures I got to do. In fact, the reason I left the military was because I wanted to be able to do more and know more. Additionally, I had the opportunity to help save an injured policeman who was being crushed under a car and I have to say, that experience was extraordinary and humbling. On the other side, I find that I am a bit of an entrepreneur myself and have started small businesses since I've been in college and find that to be extremely fulfilling as well.
I think that I would enjoy both professions, but I wonder two things; in terms of medicine, is the juice worth the squeeze, and would it be crazy to turn down this business connection for the second time?
