Second Career - How?

[GrinAndBearIt]

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This is my first post. I've come to this forum looking for some thoughts about my situation.

I just read this thread which gives me hope:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=672319

But my situation is different.

I'm currently a computer programmer. I've been interested in dentistry since high school. But I got married, had kids and went to work instead of finishing school. (SIDE NOTE: for you younger people, DON'T DO THAT! In hind sight it would have been SO much easier to struggle through back then, than it will be now). I make aprox $80,000 per year now. My wife stays home and home schools our 2 kids (girl age 9 and boy age 7).

I'm considering a second career as a dentist. I'm pretty confident that I'd really enjoy it (I've always thought so) and I'm VERY ready for a career change. I'm also very uncertain about my current skill set sustaining my career for the next 30 years.

I'm 34. I'm having trouble coming up with a way to make dental school happen. It is soooo hard to give up what you've grown accustomed to (meaning our life style). While I think I would be fine to drastically cut back and do whatever it takes to get through the next 6 years (I have some prerequisites to finish up), I'm not sure how to put my wife and kids through that.

At first I thought perhaps I was too old. But the more I think about it in 6 years I'll be 41. If I work till I'm 65 that's still 24 years as a dentist. Me being 41 when I get done isn't the issue. My daughter being 15 when I get done scares me. What will being in college and dental school for those 6 years cause me to miss? Age 9 to age 16 for my girl. Age 7 to age 13 for my boy. Will I really be missing anything? Maybe not, but it would require them to move with me to go to school. Which would take them away from family and friends.

And what about the money. Is it even possible for me to work part time while I go to school? From what I've read it is not. Is it possible to get enough loans to cover the cost of living in addition to the cost of school? My wife could possibly get a job to support us while I go to school. Did I mention she home schools our kids?

They say that where there's a will, there's a way. I've got the will to put myself through whatever it takes, but I don't think I'm willing to put my family through it.

So, why am I posting this to you all and "whining" about it here? I'm hopeful that I'm just too close to the situation and for someone standing on the outside looking it is clear how to go about becoming a dentist. I've been trying to find my way out of this mental maze and keep hitting dead ends. So, I'm looking for a "Just buck up and do it", or a "you know have you ever thought about...", or perhaps a "there is this one scholarship for people who..."

Thanks in advance. (and stay in school!) 🙂

 

[Dentobe]

You should do what makes you happy because in return you can make your family happy. and no you don't have to miss anything in your life balance in life is what makes you successful TIME MANAGEMENT.


If that is anything, it has been 4 years after i graduated from an engineering program, since then i have tried to go to dental school, just got an interview from boston.So dont GIVE UP.

 

[wantVCUdental]

I know people who have sold their homes to continue education, and it ended up better for them.
However, you need to really discuss this with your family, because as you said, your wife stays at home, and if you stop working, you guys will have to cut back a lot to put you through school. Will you be able to handle the pressure from your family, from dental school?

 

[Kelong]

Dentistry is quite a short-lived career. If you ever thought of getting into it, you 'd better make up your mind quick.

 

[GrinAndBearIt]

Dentistry is quite a short-lived career. If you ever thought of getting into it, you 'd better make up your mind quick.

Can you expand on this? It seems I know several dentists that work well into their late 60's and even 70's.

Thanks.

 

[blueaznsbo]

Can you expand on this? It seems I know several dentists that work well into their late 60's and even 70's.

Thanks.

I agree. My friend's father is a dentist and he is 71 right now and still practicing although he is cutting down his hours now.

 

[kaDa]

Wow a very large commitment from you and your family! I wish you the best of luck 🙂.

Dental schools are pretty giving with loans, so this can be a short term solution to some of the lifestyle problems you may face. Of course you will have to pay it all back, but some of the finances with having a family will be unavoidable. I've had several conversations w/ D-students about how easy it is to get loans (perhaps too easy for some of them 🙄). I would try calling a few schools to see what they recommend.

Oh, and I believe "short-lived" is in comparison to many other careers (such as computer programming 😛) that hypothetically last from college until retirement. ~25-30 years in Dentistry vs 40-45 years straight out of college. With Dentistry, you have 4+ years w/ schooling and/or specialization followed by a few years getting your feet wet in an existing practice. Then you start your own place up.

On a side note, my father has done contract work in computer programming up until this recent year (not many companies have extra money to spend on projects anymore 😳) so I can understand why you would want a more stable career. However, the only thing that matters is what you like doing more. If you put the same effort/time transitioning to Dentistry back into your computer science career, then you will probably be fine long term. My dad was always looking for projects that furthered his CS skills and this in turn gave him a competitive edge over others the same age who did not learn new programming trends. I like that Dentistry has a similar system of continued education requirements, but without the uncertainty of career longevity. Also, I like biology a lot better and you can't outsource work on someone's body 😀. To me, CS offers high initial payout but slow/negligible longterm growth unless you capitalize on creating your own programs or keep crazy up to date with new tech. Again, it all matters on what you like more. (Sorry to ramble, but my dad was pushing hard for me to study CS while in undergrad) I hope this helps a little!

 

[uncbestyet]

Dentistry is quite a short-lived career. If you ever thought of getting into it, you 'd better make up your mind quick.

😱


I disagree. While most dentists will retire earlier than those of a different profession ... you can work as long as you want. I think one of the benefits of dentistry is the ability to cut back and only work 1 or 2 days a week once you get closer to retirement. If not for yourself, you can fill in for another dentist when they want more vacation or a sick day.