Need Some Real Talk

[CosmicBeam]

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Hi everyone, I'm a third year junior and I'm facing a bit of a dilemma. My GPA right now is not too impressive, but it's fixable by a postbacc program. My real issue here is whether I want to go to med school. I'm not sure if I still really want to pursue the medical field. To be honest, money was always a big factor here. But now here are my questions.

What can I do to make sure if I really want to pursue med school?

If I don't do med school, what other jobs have such high pay rates as doctors.

ALSO MOST IMPORTANTLY, I'm NOT trolling and also please save the "I'm a bad person for choosing a career based on money talk" I'm here for some real talk. Thanks!

 

[MDschoolorbust]

Hi everyone, I'm a third year junior and I'm facing a bit of a dilemma. My GPA right now is not too impressive, but it's fixable by a postbacc program. My real issue here is whether I want to go to med school. I'm not sure if I still really want to pursue the medical field. To be honest, money was always a big factor here. But now here are my questions.

What can I do to make sure if I really want to pursue med school?

If I don't do med school, what other jobs have such high pay rates as doctors.

ALSO MOST IMPORTANTLY, I'm NOT trolling and also please save the "I'm a bad person for choosing a career based on money talk" I'm here for some real talk. Thanks!

 

[CosmicBeam]

Listen pal, if I wanted to look up pictures of worms I could have googled it myself, ok

 

[Morsetlis]

Hi everyone, I'm a third year junior and I'm facing a bit of a dilemma. My GPA right now is not too impressive, but it's fixable by a postbacc program. My real issue here is whether I want to go to med school. I'm not sure if I still really want to pursue the medical field. To be honest, money was always a big factor here. But now here are my questions.

What can I do to make sure if I really want to pursue med school?

If I don't do med school, what other jobs have such high pay rates as doctors.

ALSO MOST IMPORTANTLY, I'm NOT trolling and also please save the "I'm a bad person for choosing a career based on money talk" I'm here for some real talk. Thanks!

Shadow and talk to doctors.

 

[MedPR]

Listen pal, if I wanted to look up pictures of worms I could have googled it myself, ok

Google will give you a list of careers that make much more money than physicians. 👍 I'll even link you to it.

https://www.google.com/

 

[TheVillain]

Listen pal, if I wanted to look up pictures of worms I could have googled it myself, ok

Then why don't you go and google search jobs that have larger pay?

 

[CosmicBeam]

Shadow and talk to doctors.

Is there any other way, I mean I sort of volunteer at a hospital, but I don't get too much interaction with doctors and what not

 

[Morsetlis]

Is there any other way, I mean I sort of volunteer at a hospital, but I don't get too much interaction with doctors and what not

If you want to know how it is to be a doctor, talk to a doctor.

 

[CosmicBeam]

Google will give you a list of careers that make much more money than physicians. 👍 I'll even link you to it.

https://www.google.com/

bravo, I never knew what google is

Then why don't you go and google search jobs that have larger pay?

look if ure not here to help, then why bother posting huh

 

[CosmicBeam]

If you want to know how it is to be a doctor, talk to a doctor.

I have tried talking to doctors though most of them come off as very snobbish 😡

 

[TheVillain]

bravo, I never knew what google is



look if ure not here to help, then why bother posting huh

...Because you seem capable of using google, and thus you can find the answers yourself (concerning the $$ part)

 

[911 Turbo]

...Because you seem capable of using google, and thus you can find the answers yourself (concerning the $$ part)

But at the same time you are wasting time typing that instead of a legitimate answer that would help?

Ahh....

 

[CosmicBeam]

...Because you seem capable of using google, and thus you can find the answers yourself (concerning the $$ part)

I know I can look it up myself, I just wanted to get some opinions on the subject matter 🙂

 

[MedPR]

I have tried talking to doctors though most of them come off as very snobbish 😡

Doctors are busy and aren't going to always be nice to a random volunteer student who approaches them.

 

[TheVillain]

I know I can look it up myself, I just wanted to get some opinions on the subject matter 🙂

Engineers (mechanical, electrical, petroleum etc.) make pretty good money with substantially less amount of time, compared to med school.

 

[unrealplayer]

If you are going into medicine for money do NOT become a doctor. In this day in age, prestige and salaries of doctors are declining. Doctors are still among the top paying professions in the US. However, the amount of schooling, student loans, stress, responsibility, and residency training make it a profession for those truly looking to help people. Shadow a doctor and see how you feel about it. Other high paying professions in the medical field include PTs, pharmacists, and dentists.

 

[CosmicBeam]

Doctors are busy and aren't going to always be nice to a random volunteer student who approaches them.

I understand that they are busy, but that doesnt mean they have to be rude to other people

Engineers (mechanical, electrical, petroleum etc.) make pretty good money with substantially less amount of time, compared to med school.

I think it might be too late for me to switch to an engineering major

 

[CosmicBeam]

If you are going into medicine for money do NOT become a doctor. In this day in age, prestige and salaries of doctors are declining. Doctors are still among the top paying professions in the US. However, the amount of schooling, student loans, stress, responsibility, and residency training make it a profession for those truly looking to help people. Shadow a doctor and see how you feel about it. Other high paying professions in the medical field include PTs, pharmacists, and dentists.

Sorry what's a PT ?

 

[CosmicBeam]

But at the same time you are wasting time typing that instead of a legitimate answer that would help?

Ahh....

So do you have any suggestions ?

 

[unrealplayer]

Sorry what's a PT ?

Physical Therapist

 

[TheVillain]

But at the same time you are wasting time typing that instead of a legitimate answer that would help?

Ahh....

Lol. You seem to be doing the exact same thing bro. I also didn't mention anything about time.

 

[CosmicBeam]

What about the business field. If I decide to not go into the medical field, is the business field a good area where one can make a good living ?

 

[TheVillain]

Well, what did you major in?

 

[CosmicBeam]

Well, what did you major in?

I was a life sciences major, I can still switch majors but in order to finish up by senior year, I dont have too many options. One choice though is economics, its a relatively short major

 

[TheVillain]

Have you thought about dentistry?

 

[CosmicBeam]

Have you thought about dentistry?

Yes, but to be honest, the job description of a dentist didn't really strike a chord with me

 

[Aerus]

I understand that they are busy, but that doesnt mean they have to be rude to other people

Many aren't actually rude; it's just that they're incredibly busy and don't have time to answer questions from a random stranger.

You're only a pre-med. Once you actually become a doctor, you'll understand.


Concerning your original post, all jobs have their downsides. Your original post said "I want jobs that pay", but that is easily google-able.

What part of the question do you want our opinions on? You're going to have to be a bit more specific. Easy life? Less schooling? Less stress? There are always goods and bads.

 

[hiyaman]

I was a life sciences major, I can still switch majors but in order to finish up by senior year, I dont have too many options. One choice though is economics, its a relatively short major

Why not become an accountant? I've heard they make pretty good money.

 

[CosmicBeam]

Many aren't actually rude; it's just that they're incredibly busy and don't have time to answer questions from a random stranger.

You're only a pre-med. Once you actually become a doctor, you'll understand.


Concerning your original post, all jobs have their downsides. Your original post said "I want jobs that pay", but that is easily google-able.

What part of the question do you want our opinions on? You're going to have to be a bit more specific. Easy life? Less schooling? Less stress? There are always good and bads.

Well I did search for it on google, but all the results seemed a bit generic, so I figured I should ask here for a better opinion

As far as for an ideal job, I would prefer less schooling, an easy life, less stressful, high paying, and something respectable

 

[CosmicBeam]

Why not become an accountant? I've heard they make pretty good money.

Well that is one thing I've been considering. I have been thinking of taking some accounting classes over summer. I mean I always have been good with numbers ...

 

[hiyaman]

Well I did search for it on google, but all the results seemed a bit generic, so I figured I should ask here for a better opinion

As far as for an ideal job, I would prefer less schooling, an easy life, less stressful, high paying, and something respectable

Doesn't exist dude. Life isn't a warm pie ready for you to take a slice man. You gotta earn everything you get in life.

Didnt mean too sound harsh, its hard to figure out what you wanna do in life. Just keep asking ppl, interning, shadowing, things like tht. you'll find something you wanna do.

 

[TheVillain]

Well I did search for it on google, but all the results seemed a bit generic, so I figured I should ask here for a better opinion

As far as for an ideal job, I would prefer less schooling, an easy life, less stressful, high paying, and something respectable

Hmmm, I feel like your not the only one. Try to become a dictator in some 3rd world country perhaps 😀.

 

[CosmicBeam]

Doesn't exist dude. Life isn't a warm pie ready for you to take a slice man. You gotta earn everything you get in life.

Didnt mean too sound harsh, its hard to figure out what you wanna do in life. Just keep asking ppl, interning, shadowing, things like tht. you'll find something you wanna do.

Hmmm, I feel like your not the only one. Try to become a dictator in some 3rd world country perhaps 😀.

Notice the key word Ideal loll

 

[hiyaman]

Well that is one thing I've been considering. I have been thinking of taking some accounting classes over summer. I mean I always have been good with numbers ...

My spanish teacher's daughter is an accountant and she seems to make good money. I have no idea how much hours per week it is though. I'm guessing like any job if you wanna make a lot then you gotta work hard for it. Seems like it would be low stressful though. You should check out those classes maybe you'll like it.

 

[hiyaman]

Notice the key word Ideal loll

lol didn't read tht...now i feel like an ass.

 

[CosmicBeam]

My spanish teacher's daughter is an accountant and she seems to make good money. I have no idea how much hours per week it is though. I'm guessing like any job if you wanna make a lot then you gotta work hard for it. Seems like it would be low stressful though. You should check out those classes maybe you'll like it.

Definitely, but at the same time that's one of my options, I don't want to restrict myself now, definitely want to keep my options open

 

[Aerus]

Lol, I meant what do you prioritize?

Is less schooling more important than less stress? Rank what you would like in your job, from most to least important. I assume the least important can be a negative aspect of the job.

For example, if you really want a job that is less stressful over one that has a good life, I might suggest something easy but you might get a crappy work life, such as long hours.

 

[CosmicBeam]

Lol, I meant what do you prioritize?

Is less schooling more important than less stress? Rank what you would like in your job, from most to least important. I assume the least important can be a negative aspect of the job.

For example, if you really want a job that is less stressful over one that has a good life, I might suggest something easy but you might get a crappy work life, such as long hours.

Hmm this is a good question, I need to think about this for a bit lol

But what options did you have in mind ?

 

[Aerus]

Hmm this is a good question, I need to think about this for a bit lol

But what options did you have in mind ?

Lots of schoolwork but pretty good life would be an orthodontist. Pay is also quite good. Not too much stress.

Going into business (MBA?) is a definitely high potential job, but there are risks and the chance of not doing well are high. It requires quite some schooling and can be stressful at times.

Becoming a therapist isn't as high pay but requires less schooling than the above, the life is pretty good, not too much stress, but the job market is quite bleak.

Those are examples.

 

[CosmicBeam]

Lots of schoolwork but pretty good life would be an orthodontist. Pay is also quite good. Not too much stress.

Going into business (MBA?) is a definitely high potential job, but there are risks and the chance of not doing well are high. It requires quite some schooling and can be stressful at times.

Becoming a therapist isn't as high pay but requires less schooling than the above, the life is pretty good, not too much stress, but the job market is quite bleak.

Those are examples.

Im not sure if I can see myself being a therapist, but the other 2 options seem pretty solid, any other recommendations

 

[Vesh]

You sound like you don't have any developed interests. You will never never make good money in a field if you do not have a passion for it. Even in business, where it is much easier than medicine to make money, you will not be successful unless you truly enjoy what you do and are willing to sacrifice what is necessary to make good money. The same holds true with engineering; engineers generally make decent money, but most are not inherently wealthy. The truly rich engineers are ones that are talented and passionate about creating products and enjoy design. Obviously there are exceptions to this rule, but you need to find something you like and see where there is an opportunity to make a living in that field. If you just aimlessly go into a field your ability to make good money will be mostly based on luck; there are no guarantees.

 

[CosmicBeam]

You sound like you don't have any developed interests. You will never never make good money in a field if you do not have a passion for it. Even in business, where it is much easier than medicine to make money, you will not be successful unless you truly enjoy what you do and are willing to sacrifice what is necessary to make good money. The same holds true with engineering; engineers generally make decent money, but most are not inherently wealthy. The truly rich engineers are ones that are talented and passionate about creating products and enjoy design. Obviously there are exceptions to this rule, but you need to find something you like and see where there is an opportunity to make a living in that field. If you just aimlessly go into a field your ability to make good money will be mostly based on luck; there are no guarantees.

True, at the same time I'm not sure I know what my real passion is 🙁

 

[Vesh]

Have you taken any business courses? Physics? Biology? Math? Literature? Philosophy? Music? Film? I think you need to come to terms with the fact that there is NO guarantee now-a-days as to a career that makes good money. Medicine is the closest thing to a guarantee of good salary, but you are sacrificing a significant portion of your life to education and salaries for physicians are continually decreasing. My best advice to you is perhaps take some classes in different departments, maybe you will find something you like. Also, you have to realize that there is no sure-fire way to get a job that pays a lot of money and I think once you accept that, it will be a lot easier to find something you are passionate about.

Outside of medicine and research, I absolutely love film and consider myself a cinephile. Most of my EC's revolve around volunteering at film festivals, film clubs, and doing amateur directing and video editing. Although I am not pursuing a career in film, if I wasn't in BME, I have little doubt I would be a film major. Although film is generally considered a risky career to pursue, its something I truly love. Find something that you truly love, even it isn't the most lucrative, and I guarantee you will be happier in life.

P.S. I was (probably still am a bit) obsessed with going into a career that makes a lot of money. I am pretty materialistic and have somewhat expensive taste and was planning on going to business school until I decided on a BME major. Now I am planning on going into academic medicine and a career in research and I am so happy with my current path. Believe me when I say, finding something you really like will always be more satisfying than being a "millionaire".

 

[OwlPower22]

I frown upon people who want to become doctors just for the pay. If you want the pay of doctors, go into Wall St. and become a trader or an investment banker. My i-banking friends are rolling in dough at the moment. As a pre-med, I'm still unemployed and looking for tutoring jobs to support myself. So think about it - are you in it just for the money?

 

[sweet d]

True, at the same time I'm not sure I know what my real passion is 🙁

I think passion develops over time, but finding things that you're very interested in or enjoy doing is a start. At the very least, those things will provide balance if you end up working in a field that drives you crazy. On the other hand, you may end up finding something that leads you to a great career.

As for the original question, I agree with others who have said you should spend some time with doctors. That said, trying to strike up a conversation while they are at work is difficult. They're busy! Try asking friends and family if they know any doctors who would be willing to chat sometime. If they don't, as them to ask their friends and family. I promise you somebody, somewhere, knows a doctor. I've gotten much better advice from doctors I've met this way than the ones I've met at the hospital (though the latter have always been friendly, just too busy to chat).

 

[SunsFun]

Google will give you a list of careers that make much more money than physicians. 👍 I'll even link you to it.

https://www.google.com/

I just followed this advice out of curiosity. Here is what I got:

http://www.myplan.com/careers/top-ten/highest-paying.php

Apparently its doctors with dentists being the close second. How do you feel about teeth, OP?

 

[SunsFun]

I frown upon people who want to become doctors just for the pay. If you want the pay of doctors, go into Wall St. and become a trader or an investment banker. My i-banking friends are rolling in dough at the moment. As a pre-med, I'm still unemployed and looking for tutoring jobs to support myself. So think about it - are you in it just for the money?

Oh college kids. You have to have interests and abilities to be "rolling in dough" on Wall St. There are plenty of people there living practically on food stamps. On the other hand I know plenty of doctors who wouldn't be doing what their doing if they didn't get paid really well. Many of them are most successful doctors in my state.

The bottom line is OP, you should find your own strength, interests, and what kind of things you can do for long periods of time without any immediate payoff. It is harder than a lot of people on SDN think. If this happened to be medicine - then go for it. If something else - change it.

 

[Ashley1989]

Hi everyone, I'm a third year junior and I'm facing a bit of a dilemma. My GPA right now is not too impressive, but it's fixable by a postbacc program. My real issue here is whether I want to go to med school. I'm not sure if I still really want to pursue the medical field. To be honest, money was always a big factor here. But now here are my questions.

What can I do to make sure if I really want to pursue med school?

If I don't do med school, what other jobs have such high pay rates as doctors.

ALSO MOST IMPORTANTLY, I'm NOT trolling and also please save the "I'm a bad person for choosing a career based on money talk" I'm here for some real talk. Thanks!

Shadow for sure, but for me volunteering was also a big reality check slap in the face when it came to my perception of hospitals.

 

[lobo.solo]

Google will give you a list of careers that make much more money than physicians. 👍 I'll even link you to it.

https://www.google.com/

👍...

 

[MDschoolorbust]

Hi everyone, I'm a third year junior and I'm facing a bit of a dilemma. My GPA right now is not too impressive, but it's fixable by a postbacc program. My real issue here is whether I want to go to med school. I'm not sure if I still really want to pursue the medical field. To be honest, money was always a big factor here. But now here are my questions.

What can I do to make sure if I really want to pursue med school?

If I don't do med school, what other jobs have such high pay rates as doctors.

ALSO MOST IMPORTANTLY, I'm NOT trolling and also please save the "I'm a bad person for choosing a career based on money talk" I'm here for some real talk. Thanks!

After my obligatory can of worms post I'll give you some ideas.

My sister just graduated with a 3.0 with an MIS (Management Information Systems) degree and just received a job straight out of school with 75k base, 5k signing bonus, 8k in stocks, 2k in a laptop, a company car, and a deal with Lexus for her own car.

All that for a 3.0 in a degree I could get with my eyes closed. MIS or anything equivalent is the way to go. Even just going back and getting an MBA can make this happen. You just have to be a good interviewer and have the skills.