Should I forget about medicine if I find Bio/Chem boring?

[bingob2]

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Title. Bit of a nontrad, already graduated with a degree in biochemistry, and my god did I hate it, it was just rote memorization. Am currently pursuing a MS in engineering because I actually found the subject interesting and LOVED how it was skill based and understanding/applying concepts rather than having to emulate a Polaroid camera every test.

And everything was gravy, but, surprisingly, it began to hit me, emotionally, that I am not going to be a doctor anymore. Like what the hell will my life be good for now, move up the ladder, sit in middle management, hell maybe upper management, make some money, and then push daisies. I would love to be a doctor. Maybe not make as big of an impact as I want but at least spend my life in service, its just the 8+ years getting there that worries me. I CAN study bio/chem and do very well... but I just hate the subject; I feel at home in engineering classes solving engineering problems, like its in my blood, throwing that away would seem like a waste.

So should I just forget about medicine and be some stooge that is responsible for automating most of America's jobs (including you medicine)?

 

[bbbcccppp]

This is a tough one. N=3 of engineer friends who lawyer, hospital administrator, stay home parent. Don't know how common that is. Hard to leave something you love however
Sorry that's all I got.....oh yeah n=4 1 at Texaco chevron 30 years killing it and retiring b4 60


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[Goro]

Title. Bit of a nontrad, already graduated with a degree in biochemistry, and my god did I hate it, it was just rote memorization. Am currently pursuing a MS in engineering because I actually found the subject interesting and LOVED how it was skill based and understanding/applying concepts rather than having to emulate a Polaroid camera every test.

And everything was gravy, but, surprisingly, it began to hit me, emotionally, that I am not going to be a doctor anymore. Like what the hell will my life be good for now, move up the ladder, sit in middle management, hell maybe upper management, make some money, and then push daisies. I would love to be a doctor. Maybe not make as big of an impact as I want but at least spend my life in service, its just the 8+ years getting there that worries me. I CAN study bio/chem and do very well... but I just hate the subject; I feel at home in engineering classes solving engineering problems, like its in my blood, throwing that away would seem like a waste.

So should I just forget about medicine and be some stooge that is responsible for automating most of America's jobs (including you medicine)?

There's a lot of brute memorization in Medicine, so yes, go for Plan B. My best students always have a love of learning.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Title. Bit of a nontrad, already graduated with a degree in biochemistry, and my god did I hate it, it was just rote memorization. Am currently pursuing a MS in engineering because I actually found the subject interesting and LOVED how it was skill based and understanding/applying concepts rather than having to emulate a Polaroid camera every test.

And everything was gravy, but, surprisingly, it began to hit me, emotionally, that I am not going to be a doctor anymore. Like what the hell will my life be good for now, move up the ladder, sit in middle management, hell maybe upper management, make some money, and then push daisies. I would love to be a doctor. Maybe not make as big of an impact as I want but at least spend my life in service, its just the 8+ years getting there that worries me. I CAN study bio/chem and do very well... but I just hate the subject; I feel at home in engineering classes solving engineering problems, like its in my blood, throwing that away would seem like a waste.

So should I just forget about medicine and be some stooge that is responsible for automating most of America's jobs (including you medicine)?

Thoroughly investigate medicine before dismissing it. I've heard "rumors" about pre-med, med school, and residency. Until you actually dive in, you won't know what its like mate. Maybe it will be pure bio/chem rote memorization, but for some reason, you'll find it far more appealing.

Is there a medical school nearby you or do you know any med students as friends you could shadow/hang out with for a week or so to get a feel for things? Its summer, so it will be harder to find someone, but I don't cross medicine off of my potential jobs list just because of undergrad and such.

 

[docbsb2015]

Do what you love. If its engineering, do that. The world needs engineers as much as it does physicians. You are still improving the lives of other people as an engineer.

 

[Dox4lyfe]

If you did not like the rote memorization in undergrad, med school will be worse than hell from what I've heard

 

[bbbcccppp]

After you stack it all up this is going to be a 50-50 for better or worse. I like a lot of things I didn't in the past and vversa



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[Tenk]

Who knows. Practicing medicine is nothing like med school or studying biology or chemistry and taking tests on it so maybe? Go shadow some physicians and see if you enjoy what you see.

 

[bingob2]

Who knows. Practicing medicine is nothing like med school or studying biology or chemistry and taking tests on it so maybe? Go shadow some physicians and see if you enjoy what you see.

Yeah I figured as much, and HAVE shadowed before, but funnily enough, when I thought my path was in stone, I saw doctors as people who were so bright that they could change the world but were squandering their talents making a handful of people per week live marginally longer. Now moving to field that can have far reaching systemic effects on society, I see that most people are lucky to help anyone.... in their entire careers. Hell a lot of people might even hurt people, automating a significant portion of the workforce. So my new perspective is that its a blessing to know that you are helping at least a few people, every day. I guess its the "grass is always greener" thing, I've met tons of engineers who say they wish they were doctors, and apparently studies show ~50% of doctors wish they didn't go to medical school.

 

[DBC03]

I am an engineer and worked with engineers for years. They all loved their jobs. I hated mine. The thing I have learned about engineering that is far different from medicine is that those who do it love it (while I've met plenty of doctors who recommend not going into it). Those who don't love engineering get out as soon as they can. If you enjoy engineering, definitely stick with it. You'll have a lot more free time than most other professions, and you can use that time to pursue hobbies.