Money vs. Passion / Fears and Thoughts of a Choosing a Career

[Lone Kendoka]

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I am at that point in life where I must decide on which path I should take. Finding my answer has never been harder and I am torn between two choices. Here’s my story:

My aspiration for a career is one where I can help people. I decided to choose a career in health because I aspire to help people live another day by helping them maintains the most important aspect they have: their health. I feel that this will be fulfilling for me because I am making a tremendous impact on their life. I also want to see and interact with the people I am treating; to follow their progress during my time with them; to witness firsthand that this is the person I am treating and these are the fruits of my labor.

At the beginning of my college career, I did not have an idea of what I wanted to do for a career, so my parents suggested the idea of becoming a pharmacist. Now, after completing my third year of undergraduate studies, I got accepted into the University Of Houston College Of Pharmacy. Right now, I’ve worked hard to keep my average GPA around 3.5. By fulfilling primarily the pre-pharmacy prerequisites, I did not take into consideration the possibility of getting a degree. I was very happy to get accepted, but it was then I began to wonder if the pre-med route would be better suited to fulfilling my passion. The problem was that I knew too little about both professions. I’ve done some volunteer work here and there, but it wasn’t enough to make a sound decision. I decided that I would spend the summer solely on exposing myself to both professions, where I would gain experience in the medical field for June and then volunteer in pharmacy for July. Hopefully by the end of the summer, I will know where I want to go from there. Either I would go straight into pharmacy school or I would continue my undergraduate for another year or two, fulfilling the pre-med requirements and getting my degree.

Currently, I have gained exposure to the medical profession in the Philippines, where it is easier to observe many procedures, such as consultations and surgeries. As I learned more about the profession, I started to feel as if this field was more aligned with my passion. Somehow, I can see myself fulfilling some of the roles the doctors I observed perform on a daily basis. However, rather than getting excited that I’ve gotten closer to finding my answer, I became scared. I was afraid of the path I would take should I pursue medicine. I understood that the road will be extremely challenging: you would have long, irregular hours, you would be in school for a longer period of time, stress and heavy workloads are inevitable, your values and beliefs will be challenged on a daily basis. This path requires a tremendous amount of commitment and determination to traverse the road. This is where I am torn. Many difficult questions are running through my head just thinking about choosing this path: “Do I have the resolve to see this through?” “Will my passion and determination be more than enough to walk this path?” I want to be able to go into a profession with no regrets. That’s why I must be absolutely certain that this is what I want to do with my life. But how will I know when I’m ready? Is there any way of knowing if I am ready or not?

My dad brought up another point when I mentioned my problem to him. He recommended that I become a plastic surgeon coming out of medical school; where you can still have a life, get paid handsomely, and not have to worry about lawsuits. I did not see myself becoming one because I want to help people on a greater scale. I want to help people live. The premise of his argument is that it’s important to be able to take care of yourself before taking care of others. With that said he suggested that I put my passion aside and focus first on earning money, even if the means of doing so does not run parallel with your passion. He argued that passions can always change in an instant; whereas the need for survival will always be there. Is there ever a balance between money and passion? If so, how do you find that balance?

So this is where I stand now. These sentiments may be a little subjective because I have not yet gotten exposure to the pharmacy. I know my point may be a little bit unclear, but I just want to get this out in the open. I want to organize my thoughts and see what others think of my situation. Any and every comment, suggestion, and thought is more than welcome. It may sound naïve and like a question only I can answer, but I guess all I’m trying to ask is “What should I do?”

 

[echolalia16]

I share a lot of the same worries as you and I'm sure many other premeds do as well. They're all very valid questions and if one finds out that they don't have what it takes to get through the endless hours of work, studying, stress, etc, they may find themselves over 100k in debt with no job to handle that kind of pressure.
As for passion vs money: always always always go with what you think will make you happy. You already mentioned that its a hard path to become a doctor. Being a doctor is hard too. I believe the average hours/week doctors work is around 60, all have pretty stressful moments (some more than others) including taking care of another's life, malpractice for doing something wrong, etc etc. But regardless of what type of physician you become at the end of the road, you'll still be breaking bank. Even if you go into primary care and make 130k/year which is meager on a physician's scale, you'll still earn around twice the value of the average American salary. Granted, you have more debt, maybe a bunch of other stuff to worry about if you do private practice, but my point is you'll have the money to live your life. That's why its important to do what you think will make you the happiest. You're going to invest a lot of time in this career (if you decide to take this path), you might as well enjoy yourself while you do it.

 

[Web MD]

I guess I should go tell the reconstructive plastic surgeon I shadowed that he should stop helping burn victims, kids with cleft palettes and mastectomy patients and instead refocus his efforts towards "helping people on a grander scale" ....he's going to be crushed 🙁

 

[Baron Samedi]

I think the folks who go into medicine with some idealized image of "helping people" and "saving lives" are in for a rude awaking and are more likely to fall into depression when things aren't quite the way they hoped. Read the "medicine sucks" thread and you'll see what I mean. You need to keep your head on your shoulders. If you want to help people, there's a lot of better ways to do it than becoming a doctor.

Also, money is important regardless of your profession. Regardless of what people tell you, it always needs to be in consideration.

 

[LizzyM]

Unless you plan to practice abroad, get some shadowing experience in the US before you make a decision. The environment and the pressures are different given the malpractice climate, influence of third party payers, and the role of documentation (paperwork) on keeping both at bay.

 

[PhillDOc]

I share a lot of the same worries as you and I'm sure many other premeds do as well. They're all very valid questions and if one finds out that they don't have what it takes to get through the endless hours of work, studying, stress, etc, they may find themselves over 100k in debt with no job to handle that kind of pressure.
As for passion vs money: always always always go with what you think will make you happy. You already mentioned that its a hard path to become a doctor. Being a doctor is hard too. I believe the average hours/week doctors work is around 60, all have pretty stressful moments (some more than others) including taking care of another's life, malpractice for doing something wrong, etc etc. But regardless of what type of physician you become at the end of the road, you'll still be breaking bank. Even if you go into primary care and make 130k/year which is meager on a physician's scale, you'll still earn around twice the value of the average American salary. Granted, you have more debt, maybe a bunch of other stuff to worry about if you do private practice, but my point is you'll have the money to live your life. That's why its important to do what you think will make you the happiest. You're going to invest a lot of time in this career (if you decide to take this path), you might as well enjoy yourself while you do it.

The above post is inadvertently provocative. SDN is riddled with negative anecdotes about medicine, its future, relatively low pat etc...It's my belief that the grass really is always greener. We all know the type of people that are attracted to medicine. We ARE hard working. You can't not be. Whenever the hours daunt me, I look at other people in my family, peers, friends, etc...who are working on Wall St. or in law (especially corporate). They work pretty damn hard too. As hard as a physician (especially resident)? No, not typically....but they can work 70-90 hrs a week sometimes sleeping at the desk. When it's all said and done, I'd rather spend that time in a hospital actually improving people's lives and using my brain. Regardless of career path I knew I was hard working and want to reach personal potential. If I fell into business or law I would work very hard as well. I'd make the assumption that most people in medicine are the same way.

Secondly, the money issue is always interesting to me. I completely understand the pessimism. I will have 250k+ in loans. Most specialties aren't making that per year...and apparently, things are getting worse. However, as mentioned above, physicians still make more money than most of the US population. Additionally, people comment on how much easier money can be made in business and law. My friends (late 20's) are making 170k right now....problem is, in 5 years and 10 years....MOST of them will be making the same thing if they're even still with the same firm. Business is a whole other story. You have the small potential to do VERY WELL which is why it lures people in. For every millionaire trader you meet there are 100 others who never really get going and make mediocre money. In addition to mediocre money salaries are unpredictable year to year and unstable. My entire family works in trading and have done well, but not awesome. They can't plan ahead financially and are in constant fear of the market/their job security. Not to mention they HATE what they literally do hour to hour and day to day. Call me conservative, but I like the stable income of physicians. There are tons of people on this board complaining and wishing they weren't in medicine. There's financial issues and bureaucracy in every profession. Granted, I am only at the beginning of this path, but sometimes it seems that doctors have become SO disillusioned that they don't see the laundry list of negatives, frustrations, and corruption in every other profession as well. Just my humble thoughts.

 

[morning]

I think the folks who go into medicine with some idealized image of "helping people" and "saving lives" are in for a rude awaking and are more likely to fall into depression when things aren't quite the way they hoped. Read the "medicine sucks" thread and you'll see what I mean. You need to keep your head on your shoulders. If you want to help people, there's a lot of better ways to do it than becoming a doctor.

Also, money is important regardless of your profession. Regardless of what people tell you, it always needs to be in consideration.

On the other hand, I'm sure people who go in just for the money and job stability are miserable too. It's all about the middle way.

 

[VSU]

I may be paranoid, but to me, it seems like most of the people trying to persuade people out of medicine just want less competition for Medschool/Residency. Lol.

 

[Cyradis]

I may be paranoid, but to me, it seems like most of the people trying to persuade people out of medicine just want less competition for Medschool/Residency. Lol.

Yeah it's just paranoia.

There are, what, 50-60k applicants each year for med school? (correct the #s if you have the real figures, I'm estimating). It's unlikely that a forum post would convince anyone to not apply, and if it does, it'll be 1-2 people. And even then, those 1-2 people probably aren't applying to the same schools, and if they are, and drop out from reading a forum post, they probably weren't very worrisome competition to begin with.

Either you're paranoid =P, or the people trying to talk others out of applying are wasting their time/stupid.

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

I may be paranoid, but to me, it seems like most of the people trying to persuade people out of medicine just want less competition for Medschool/Residency. Lol.

The majority of people who are telling premeds to turn away from medicine seem to be med students, residents, and the occasional attending...all of them are ahead of us in medical training and thus, have no reason to get rid of us in order to reduce competition. So yea, it may just be your paranoia. 😛

 

[Queef Debris]

So...
"to help people and save lives" is not a good reason because there are other ways to do so
$$$$ and job stability are shallow reasons
"I'm smart/good at science so I should be a doctor" isn't either

What exactly is a good reason to study medicine then?

 

[NotAsking4Much]

Saving lives is a concept often overly used. You can though make a difference in people's lives, even something as simply as volunteering a weekend morning at a free clinic at a church once or twice a month.

I think my best belief is that medicine is an art - an art of dealing and interacting with patients. Patients may turn to you when they're frightened, depressed, or hopeless. You can teach a college freshman the actual material in medicine. It's not conceptually hard - anyone can learn it given enough time. He might take some more time to apply it but sooner or later, he will recognize diseases/disorders if he sees enough patients w/ them.
The practice of medicine is just hard-work. The art is the nuanced factor - that's what separates "good" doctors from just "smart" ones.


By the way - the quote below has to be one of best things I've read on this forum. +1

The above post is inadvertently provocative. SDN is riddled with negative anecdotes about medicine, its future, relatively low pat etc...It's my belief that the grass really is always greener. We all know the type of people that are attracted to medicine. We ARE hard working. You can't not be. Whenever the hours daunt me, I look at other people in my family, peers, friends, etc...who are working on Wall St. or in law (especially corporate). They work pretty damn hard too. As hard as a physician (especially resident)? No, not typically....but they can work 70-90 hrs a week sometimes sleeping at the desk. When it's all said and done, I'd rather spend that time in a hospital actually improving people's lives and using my brain. Regardless of career path I knew I was hard working and want to reach personal potential. If I fell into business or law I would work very hard as well. I'd make the assumption that most people in medicine are the same way.

Secondly, the money issue is always interesting to me. I completely understand the pessimism. I will have 250k+ in loans. Most specialties aren't making that per year...and apparently, things are getting worse. However, as mentioned above, physicians still make more money than most of the US population. Additionally, people comment on how much easier money can be made in business and law. My friends (late 20's) are making 170k right now....problem is, in 5 years and 10 years....MOST of them will be making the same thing if they're even still with the same firm. Business is a whole other story. You have the small potential to do VERY WELL which is why it lures people in. For every millionaire trader you meet there are 100 others who never really get going and make mediocre money. In addition to mediocre money salaries are unpredictable year to year and unstable. My entire family works in trading and have done well, but not awesome. They can't plan ahead financially and are in constant fear of the market/their job security. Not to mention they HATE what they literally do hour to hour and day to day. Call me conservative, but I like the stable income of physicians. There are tons of people on this board complaining and wishing they weren't in medicine. There's financial issues and bureaucracy in every profession. Granted, I am only at the beginning of this path, but sometimes it seems that doctors have become SO disillusioned that they don't see the laundry list of negatives, frustrations, and corruption in every other profession as well. Just my humble thoughts.

 

[Cleavername]

Saving lives is a concept often overly used. You can though make a difference in people's lives, even something as simply as volunteering a weekend morning at a free clinic at a church once or twice a month.

I think my best belief is that medicine is an art - an art of dealing and interacting with patients. Patients may turn to you when they're frightened, depressed, or hopeless. You can teach a college freshman the actual material in medicine. It's not conceptually hard - anyone can learn it given enough time. He might take some more time to apply it but sooner or later, he will recognize diseases/disorders if he sees enough patients w/ them.
The practice of medicine is just hard-work. The art is the nuanced factor - that's what separates "good" doctors from just "smart" ones.


By the way - the quote below has to be one of best things I've read on this forum. +1

medcine to me = money + vulgar display of mah intelligence + the continuation of mah family legacy + money.

yea....that look about right.

 

[ChE04]

medcine to me = money + vulgar display of mah intelligence + the continuation of mah family legacy + money.

yea....that look about right.

No need to go into medicine to display your intelligence... Just type "mah" a couple more times.

 

[Cleavername]

No need to go into medicine to display your intelligence... Just type "mah" a couple more times.

lol I was joking.

 

[VSU]

Honestly, to me, medicine is about making money.
If I wanted to achieve happiness, I'd sit at home all day.

 

[Undecided94]

Honestly, to me, medicine is about making money.
If I wanted to achieve happiness, I'd sit at home all day.

Same here. When I was asked what I could do to make myself happy I thought "sit at home or by the beach..." I think OP just has cold feet or needs more experience. Going into health care is a huge decision that needs to be made carefully.

 

[Cleavername]

Same here. When I was asked what I could do to make myself happy I thought "sit at home or by the beach..." I think OP just has cold feet or needs more experience. Going into health care is a huge decision that needs to be made carefully.

indeed. hence i double majored in economics just in came science betray me.

 

[ladaloop88845]

I think these questions are questions all pre-med students have. I know I want to go into the medical field. As a freshmen in college, I've already shadowed/volunteered in various hospital settings and departments (>70 hrs already), and love being there. I want to help people, and I really want to learn all about the human body. But you hear so many negative aspects of being a doctor from current med students/residents, and so many horrible stories. But what I figure (and I mean, I could be wrong, but I need to find this out for myself, so I'm going to pursue the career anyway), people like to complain, and people want to make sure pre-med students know what they're getting into. There are a lot of negative things about medicine...but they're a lot of positive things too; it's just, people don't talk about the positive things that much. So is it alright to have these questions but still go into medicine? Yeah...I'm going to do it, and I'm sure most pre-med people have these questions too, even if they know they want to be a doctor.

That being said, wait until you shadow/volunteer in the pharmacy setting; see what that's like, and see if you like that even more than the shadowing a doctor. It's all in what you feel and what you're gut tells you.

 

[Nilf]

Honestly, to me, medicine is about making money.
If I wanted to achieve happiness, I'd sit at home all day.

99% of premeds want to go to medical school because of they hope to make good money.
Money is your PRIMARY motivation to go through this ordeal. Admit it... just don't lie to yourself.

 

[Lone Kendoka]

I'm not motivated by extrinsic factors like money or reputation, although they are important factors and also need to be considered. I want to be able to expand my mind even when my schooling is over. I want to take a path that will not only allow me to learn more knowledge and concepts to better help people, but I also want to grow. I want to become a more enlightened and developed person.

Recently, I realized that reputation may be playing an influence on my decision. I thought that if I made a difference in people's lives, more people will recognize me and I would be able to help more people. However, now I'm beginning to understand that gaining such reputation makes me dependent on the word of others and that would not help me with my inner growth. It comes with both professions, but I feel as if it is wrong for me to expect it, let alone rely on it. I need to tell myself that self-fulfillment through inner growth needs not the voice of others. Rather, I must understand that regardless of whether or not I get recognized for my efforts, somehow somewhere in the world, I am making a difference.

Maybe I need to restructure my passion a bit to allow fulfillment within myself rather than solely among others.

 

[muhali3]

...I understood that the road will be extremely challenging: you would have long, irregular hours, you would be in school for a longer period of time, stress and heavy workloads are inevitable, your values and beliefs will be challenged on a daily basis...

Go into dentistry. Dentists, on average, make more dollars per hour than doctors, work less hours (<40/wk), require less schooling, generally have no call, and the profession will fulfill this need of yours: "I also want to see and interact with the people I am treating; to follow their progress during my time with them; to witness firsthand that this is the person I am treating and these are the fruits of my labor."

...and I'm not trolling, as I am pre-med, but going into medicine is a personal sacrifice and if you're unwilling to make that sacrifice, then another health profession is probably better suited to you.