Would I do it over again...

[Flakey22]

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😛

I absolutely love how most of the people (if not ALL) that are out right lashing out at the OP and throwing around arguments that totally disagree with him are actually pre-med students. While most of you do have knowledge associated with the medicine world, whether it be through friends, family, or personal friends that are doctors, you still have to take everything as a learning experience. This person is telling you his situation and giving his advice, albeit at some points forcing it, but it's advice nonetheless.

It is true that medicine is not for everyone, and that it is grueling hard. Most people know of this, yet don't know what it's really like until they're actually in the middle of it all. Some of the resident/attending doctors are telling you how it is. They are far above you in experience. Who are you to tell them how it really is when you're just a pre-med student? Not even a med student?

But the bottom line of being a doctor, or ANY profession, is that you have to love what you're doing. You have to absolutely love practicing medicine to do be able to handle it. What the OP and other posters are trying to tell some of you stubborn numbskulls (yes, I did just pull out numbskull) is that you may not actually know that you love this profession, and by the time you're in the middle of med school or residency, you've piled up massive amounts of debt, given up your youth, and have been dugg deep into the quagmire of medicine.

But hey, one of the only reasons that you should become a doctor is for the care, compassion, and well being of the patient. In most cases, what you do as a doctor affects the patient's life immensely. And I for one believe, or hope to believe, that being a doctor will be one of the most fulfilling professions that will allow me to do that. I may be young, but honestly that's what it boils down to. I may not have too much experience, but it's logical that if you don't want to help people, don't do medicine.

 

[BennieBlanco]

😛

I absolutely love how most of the people (if not ALL) that are out right lashing out at the OP and throwing around arguments that totally disagree with him are actually pre-med students. While most of you do have knowledge associated with the medicine world, whether it be through friends, family, or personal friends that are doctors, you still have to take everything as a learning experience. This person is telling you his situation and giving his advice, albeit at some points forcing it, but it's advice nonetheless.

It is true that medicine is not for everyone, and that it is grueling hard. Most people know of this, yet don't know what it's really like until they're actually in the middle of it all. Some of the resident/attending doctors are telling you how it is. They are far above you in experience. Who are you to tell them how it really is when you're just a pre-med student? Not even a med student?

But the bottom line of being a doctor, or ANY profession, is that you have to love what you're doing. You have to absolutely love practicing medicine to do be able to handle it. What the OP and other posters are trying to tell some of you stubborn numbskulls (yes, I did just pull out numbskull) is that you may not actually know that you love this profession, and by the time you're in the middle of med school or residency, you've piled up massive amounts of debt, given up your youth, and have been dugg deep into the quagmire of medicine.

But hey, one of the only reasons that you should become a doctor is for the care, compassion, and well being of the patient. In most cases, what you do as a doctor affects the patient's life immensely. And I for one believe, or hope to believe, that being a doctor will be one of the most fulfilling professions that will allow me to do that. I may be young, but honestly that's what it boils down to. I may not have too much experience, but it's logical that if you don't want to help people, don't do medicine.

The residents/attending and physicians that I personally know (better than this random poster) also tell me about their experiences. So we can reject the OP's advice that we should look somewhere else because it is so horrible.

Shadow/volunteer/read books by doctor/ these activities are superior to reading a few ranting posts by an unsatisfied doc or two, who are likely attracted to threads that talk about "how bad things are"

Lots of us have also had careers for multiple years outside of medicine and have experienced adversity that doesn't happen during an academic career.

 

[MedicineMike]

I'm assuming you never had a real full time job before medical school. I can tell you from personal experience (after working in multiple corporations over the years) that if 50% of docs hate their jobs, then you've got yourself a winner.

Go work in the corporate world for a few months, and I highly doubt you'll find more than 5% of employees who are "happy" with their jobs (I put "happy" in paranthesis because there's no such thing as happy from what I've experienced).

Unfortunately, many people go into medicine without prior world/outside experience - and therefore have nothing to compare it to. I truly believe that if 40% are able to tolerate it, and 10% are happy, then that's a good thing.

On the other hand, I'm just a premed, and I can't tell you that I know what you're going through. Honestly, I can't imagine. You've gotta keep your head up though🙂

AMEN AMEN AMEN

I think you might have just taken the words directly out of my mouth! I am glad to see more people are in the same place as me!

Oh, and those friends in finance who are millionaires...its not all rainbows and cupcakes for them. My roomate is an investment banker and guess what...he works 100hr wks, gets sh** on at work all day by his superiors, etc. Oh, did I mention he HAAAAAAAAAAAAATES/LOOOOOOOATHES his job!? haha. He complains everyday, literally. He makes ridiculous money but he says every single day that he wish he chose a different path...

 

[killinsound]

The OP is telling you a terror story that he/she is caught in. The only purpose of their story is this: Make sure you want to go into medicine because it is hard to get out of . That's it.

You can either think it over and decide you don't want to do medicine, or you can decide that you are very passionate about medicine and go for it. That's your decision.

The audacity that pre-med students would ridicule a resident's opinion on such a matter (which I might add they have almost NO experience with) disgusts me.

I know I am going to to be depressed when I eventually practice medicine, but it's not because of the OP, it's because I know all of you pre-meds will be my peers someday and I hate dealing with people like you.

 

[ChristianJames1]

I hate dealing with people like you.

werd up bitches.

 

[nfgsjklgnsdfkjn]

I know I am going to to be depressed when I eventually practice medicine, but it's not because of the OP, it's because I know all of you pre-meds will be my peers someday and I hate dealing with people like you.

Hah, I've honestly stopped telling people I'm even considering medical school because of the pretentious, sheltered, naive, competitive, and self-entitled reputation pre-meds have.

Are pre-laws like this too?

 

[Excelsius]

String Theory... There's a really useful career.

How many lives have you directly impacted as a doctor? What would you do as a string theorist except suck down tax payer dollars and never accomplish a single thing except maybe revise a part of some equation and get your name on a paper for your entire career?

Stop daydreaming!

Are you serious? I don't get why you are being so condescending to every profession out there ranging from HR to physics given that your own knowledge is so limited. When Newton was inventing the theory of gravitation, a similar cynic could have said that he is wasting his time (or money). When Einstein discovered relativity, you could also say why is he being paid for writing a single equation. Well, look at it now! We use gravity for space travel and relativity to allow satellites to work (very dumbed down). And those people who are trying to come up with a unified field theory, such as string theory, are the most intelligent professionals on planet Earth. These are the people who have the brains and the foresight to try to look beyond this miserable speck of dust that we call earth and try to uncover the secrets of the entire universe. And if you're so cynical that you can't see and don't care about anything beyond the length of the hair in thy nostrils, at least have the courtesy to recognize that your miserable life on earth is ameliorated from the droppings of those equations which include items like your comfortable bed or your superfast microwave.

All that spiel you gave about the unimportance of feelings and being "rational." Now you seem to imply that understanding how the human heart works can even compare to discovering how the universe functions. Way to go, kid.

A doctor bashing a theoretical physicist is probably as bad as it gets. What an oxymoron! Probably need a deoxygenation too.

 

[atomi]

-

 

[atomi]

-

 

[Kaustikos]

I surmise your post includes me cynical retort to the OP's statement, so I'll simply chime in one last time.

A few comments on this:

First off, I'm surprised at everyone's harsh retorts to the OP and other, more experienced posters. I'm curious on what these pre-meds are basing their comments: 20 hours of shadowing? Even on significantly more enlightening experiences, it's foolish to simply dismiss information because it doesn't fit whatever perspective you've formed already.

I for one am thankful for whatever information and experience I am given, regardless if it fits my preconceived notions or ideas. You can always choose on what information you want to base your final opinion, but you can't always choose the amount of information you have in the first place. Be thankful for opportunities like this.

You choose your level of involvement. For some, sitting here and reading these threads with admiration and a quiet voice works. For others, they try and simply argue every point to prove their existence. I don't do either. I made my point clear and I don't think I was wrong. I partly feel bad, but I can't give sympathy because it's a recurring theme everywhere in the workplace. And, if Nilf wants to add/chime in, I won't argue. The guy has finished and is an attending. As negative/cynical the threads tend to be by Nilf, the guy finished and is there.

But in the end I'll do it, because it's part of the job and I remain confident that I will be reinvigorated whenever a patient thanks me for helping them, or when I'm able to successfully identify a disease, or perform a difficult surgery, etc. Plus I absolutely love stress and long hours and constantly having intellectual work to do. For me, even after seeing the more negative sides of medicine, I still remain confident I will be able to get through these aspects simply to continue doing something I am bound to love.

That's the type of response Residents/Attendings on this forum always attack. You sound like every other pre-med who has posted on here.

And just to throw this out there, and I apologize if this is overtly naive or optimistic...but the system can always change. Sure it's hard as hell to do it with lawyers in Washington and huge interest groups, but there's always a possibility, and that's what separates this country from a number of others.

The night is darkest before the dawn....




NO MORE DEAD COPS!!!!

 

[Kaustikos]

The audacity that pre-med students would ridicule a resident's opinion on such a matter (which I might add they have almost NO experience with) disgusts me.

I know I am going to to be depressed when I eventually practice medicine, but it's not because of the OP, it's because I know all of you pre-meds will be my peers someday and I hate dealing with people like you.

🙄 Words can't even begin to describe how assanine and annoying your attitude towards anyone who "isn't in your boat" is. You sound like my 13 year old sister. Go listen to some more Linkin Park while screaming out in ANGST repeatedly.

werd up bitches.

Hah, I've honestly stopped telling people I'm even considering medical school because of the pretentious, sheltered, naive, competitive, and self-entitled reputation pre-meds have.

Are pre-laws like this too?

Want to know the funny part? It's in bold and correlates to OP VERY well

 

[niranjan162]

That's the type of response Residents/Attendings on this forum always attack. You sound like every other pre-med who has posted on here.

Only the pre-meds attack, when some comes along and tries to take off their rose colored glasses.

All the residents and atttendings are doing is coming in here and saying how it is for them.

Do you see the residents/attendings calling people spoiled brats for giving their opinions?

 

[Kaustikos]

Only the pre-meds attack, when some comes along and tries to take off their rose colored glasses.

All the residents and atttendings are doing is coming in here and saying how it is for them.

Do you see the residents/attendings calling people spoiled brats for giving their opinions?

You've really been here 2 years?

 

[Quantum Mecha]

There is truth in the idea that medicine is a one-way street for most people.

Why doesn't the OP pursue some sort of research? I had a professor for a medical imaging class who has an MD and a PhD (Medical/Electrical Engineering), and does not practice medicine. After completing his residency, he decided to focus on research, so he researches new imaging modalities. However he did state that there is a lot of pressure in the medical field to continue to practice medicine as opposed to research/academics/what he does.

The OP stated that he/she enjoyed theoretical physics, so why not go into some sort of research field that involves physics? (imaging, radiation oncology, biophysics, radiobiology, etc?)

 

[Ignition]

Just to begin, I wasn't singling anyone out in my original post. The comment was derived from the general types of comments that pre-meds seemed to be directing toward disgruntled residents/fellow/attendings, in general, and the OP, in particular.

I surmise your post includes me cynical retort to the OP's statement, so I'll simply chime in one last time.

You choose your level of involvement. For some, sitting here and reading these threads with admiration and a quiet voice works. For others, they try and simply argue every point to prove their existence. I don't do either. I made my point clear and I don't think I was wrong. I partly feel bad, but I can't give sympathy because it's a recurring theme everywhere in the workplace. And, if Nilf wants to add/chime in, I won't argue. The guy has finished and is an attending. As negative/cynical the threads tend to be by Nilf, the guy finished and is there.

Again, my point wasn't directed at anyone specifically. It was a general comment that I hoped demonstrate the value of taking all perspectives into consideration before forming an opinion, as well as being amenable upon receipt of new information.

That's the type of response Residents/Attendings on this forum always attack. You sound like every other pre-med who has posted on here.

I'm sure my opinion is similar to many of the other pre-meds, and I'd be willing to bet it was similar to the OP's opinion when he first wished to enter medicine also. I highly doubt many candidates get interviews in this highly-competitive process by talking about how much the career sucks, that the negatives outweighed the positives for them, and that they hope to be able to do another career...nor do I think these candidates should apply to med school in the first place if that was true for them.

The night is darkest before the dawn....

I'm confident there will be a backlash at some point if conditions get bad enough...speeding it along by becoming active in the political process may help it arrive faster. Personally, if I have the time and motivation, I prefer to act than sit around waiting for others to do it for me...if nothing more I can at least say I tried.

 

[Kaustikos]

Why doesn't the OP pursue some sort of research? I had a professor for a medical imaging class who has an MD and a PhD (Medical/Electrical Engineering), and does not practice medicine. After completing his residency, he decided to focus on research, so he researches new imaging modalities. However he did state that there is a lot of pressure in the medical field to continue to practice medicine as opposed to research/academics/what he does.

The OP stated that he/she enjoyed theoretical physics, so why not go into some sort of research field that involves physics? (imaging, radiation oncology, biophyiscs, radiobiology, etc?)

There are options for people who don't want to do the clinical aspect of medicine. Check the "careers" sections of major pharmaceuticals..they always need an oncologist/neurologist/etc etc.

 

[niranjan162]

You've really been here 2 years?

yea sorry I dont tell residents how full of **** they are enough so my post count isnt as high as yours.

 

[killinsound]

🙄 Words can't even begin to describe how assanine and annoying your attitude towards anyone who "isn't in your boat" is. You sound like my 13 year old sister. Go listen to some more Linkin Park while screaming out in ANGST repeatedly.



Want to know the funny part? It's in bold and correlates to OP VERY well

I LOVE 😍 😍 😍 Linkin Park, how did you know? If by "in your boat" you mean people who think they are god's gift to medicine, then you are absolutely right. I don't know what it is about medicine that gives all these people, especially those not even accepted into medical school, this omniconscious mentality.






p.s. How many of you were about to correct me on using omniconscious instead of omniscient? That's exactly what im talking about.

 

[bigwill11205]

The OP is telling you a terror story that he/she is caught in. The only purpose of their story is this: Make sure you want to go into medicine because it is hard to get out of . That's it.

You can either think it over and decide you don't want to do medicine, or you can decide that you are very passionate about medicine and go for it. That's your decision.

The audacity that pre-med students would ridicule a resident's opinion on such a matter (which I might add they have almost NO experience with) disgusts me.

I know I am going to to be depressed when I eventually practice medicine, but it's not because of the OP, it's because I know all of you pre-meds will be my peers someday and I hate dealing with people like you.

Agreed. By the way, I'm a HS student who's smart enough to know that I don't know a lot!

 

[Excelsius]

... I was a professional electrical engineer before going to medical school. Do you know anything about electrical engineering? It is a direct application of physics and mathematics to create or impact almost all of the technology we have today. You still want to claim that I don't appreciate science? Nobody knows more than I do how much of an impact scientific research can have and change people's lives, because I was, am, and will be one of those people who designs something from nothing to make life better.

... We use gravity for space travel? That's about as profound as claiming that we use air to breathe, so therefore I need to have a greater respect meteorology (by the way, we 'use' complicated electronics for space travel, not gravity). We 'use' relativity for satellites? Do you know what relativity is? It's a theory of gravitation, which is not something than can be 'discovered' as you claim. Again, we use complicated electronics to make satellites work. At no point in the design of a satellite system payload does an engineer ever call a meeting and say, "guys, we really need to discuss how we are going to deal with this relativity thing."

...Doctors and engineers fix problems, invent new solutions, and most importantly CREATE JOBS for others. This is something you will undoubtedly never understand. Where do you think the money comes from for scholars to do research that has zero industrial support?
...

Callow! You continue to surprise me. Do you mind telling me your age range so that I have the slightest idea who I am talking to? Maybe it doesn't matter at this point.

You are right. Nobody knows more than you do. Here is a hint: I worked with electrical and mechanical engineers. Maybe that should have given you a food for thought before you glorified your E engineering position. Most of their jobs are very mundane. Very few of them design anything from ground up. Most of the electrical engineers do VERY mundane jobs, like check for errors, if even that. I did a lot of it myself as well (both m and e), even though I did not even have a BS. The pedestrian nature of the job you describe in flying colors is likely one of the major reasons you left it. Your statement might have had more traction with someone who has never worked with engineers... Also, if you are not PhD and majored in engineering in undergrad, I have more science (and physics) courses under my belt, whatever that means to your omnicious self.

Good job on the satellite point. You just proved a very important concept: you know some mundane details about how to put something together, but you have no idea what makes it work. You're missing the big picture. I don't really care to explain how relativity is important for satellites. And you can't really appreciate science if you have no idea what it is.

Finally, you are too caught up in your little box again. I am talking about something far larger than the everyday, mundane life on earth by poking into the sacrosanct existence of the universe, the question where you came from, and what is the reason the universe even exists... then you bring up JOB CREATION. That was truly a WTF moment.

This is a good place to end the conversation since the no-tolerance INTJ part of me is starting to surface and I don't want to sound like a mean ass (even though you yourself said that feelings should always be ignored, in which case I should not have tried to be kind to you at all - maybe you'd like it!).

 

[BennieBlanco]

This thread is crazy.

unsatisfied residents

feuding engineers

pre-med idealists

and a few chicken littles

cool

 

[searun]

Sweet Mother of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, and one of the authors of the Federalist Papers. Does GOD exist or not??? Can we reach a consensus on this or do we still have to wake up in the cool of the morning, and feel a soft breeze brush across our cheeks, and wake us from an amorous dream, and wonder, does God exist, or what does it all mean, and what am I going to eat for breakfast. Probably blueberries with sweet cream and honey.

 

[neuro1986]

The OP is telling you a terror story that he/she is caught in. The only purpose of their story is this: Make sure you want to go into medicine because it is hard to get out of . That's it.

You can either think it over and decide you don't want to do medicine, or you can decide that you are very passionate about medicine and go for it. That's your decision.

The audacity that pre-med students would ridicule a resident's opinion on such a matter (which I might add they have almost NO experience with) disgusts me.

I know I am going to to be depressed when I eventually practice medicine, but it's not because of the OP, it's because I know all of you pre-meds will be my peers someday and I hate dealing with people like you.

.....who will give you reasons to feel otherwise.

 

[chiz2kul]

This thread is crazy.

unsatisfied residents

feuding engineers

pre-med idealists

and a few chicken littles

cool

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH dude this thread is AWESOME!!

 

[ucsfstudents]

This thread is crazy.

unsatisfied residents

feuding engineers

pre-med idealists

and a few chicken littles

cool

Seriously! ha ha.
Now, just a few points. Warning: These are generalizations.

Certain personality types do much better in medicine than others.

- Extroverts do better in medicine than introverts
Medicine often works in a team environment. It requires significant interaction of colleagues and of course with patients. If you are an Introvert, your energy will be drained with these interactions and you will need some time off to regain your energy. If you're an extrovert, you will be energized at work and will be loved by your peers because you're outgoing.

- Sensing types do better in medicine than Intuitives
Sensing types are very good at remembering details, random facts, etc. They are excellent at memorization. The practice of medicine requires lots of memorization and easy recall of random facts, and the ability to pay attention to detail (changes in electrolytes, fine abnormalities on XRay or CT, subtle heart sounds) etc. The Intuitive types see the big picture and patterns, and are apt to miss small details. This is more true for the Introverted Intuitive than the Extroverted Intuitive. This makes the Sensing types appear more competent, more polished, and results in better evaluations, faster promotions, and entrance into competitive specialties at competitive residencies.

- Feeling types do better in medicine than Thinking types
Feeling types have an easier time developing great relationships with their colleagues and patients. They are considered compassionate. Thinking types will more often than not say something hurtful to either colleagues or patients (without realizing it, and in the name of logic), and therefore will develop less strong relationships than the Feeling type. With better relationships come better evaluations and better job opportunities. The Thinking types focus on fairness and merit -- but advancement in medicine is more about whether your colleagues like you and how well you get along with everyone.

- Judging types do better in medicine than Perceiving types
Judging types are good at accomplishing goals, fulfilling their responsibilities, being on time. This is extremely important in medicine. Perceiving types like to keep their options open, turn in things late, and have a difficult time making decisions.But, Perceiving types are flexible and can think on their feet, a good quality in Emergency Medicine and Trauma. For this reason, Judging types tend to do better in medicine than Perceiving types.

So the ideal personality type for medicine is ESFJ or ESTJ, or any combination with ES. Next is any combination with IS.
The worst personality type for internal medicine is INTJ, INTP, INFP, INFJ.
People in Emergency Medicine are Perceiving
Radiologists and Pathologists and Psychiatrists are often Introverted Intuitive
A survey of my classmates (small sample) turned up these statistics:
- The students who matched at UCSF in Internal Medicine were either ES, IS, or EN. None were IN.
- SF tended to go into OBGYN or Family Medicine
- INTJ's went into general surgery or psychiatry

I say all this to remind you that all personality types are welcomed in medicine, but not everyone can do Internal Medicine and be happy with their job. There are lots of options in medicine, so don't give up on your dreams of being a doctor. Internal Medicine might not be for you, but there's a host of other jobs in medicine out there!

To determine your personality type, go to www.humanmetrics.com

 

[oaklandguy]

Seriously! ha ha.
Now, just a few points. Warning: These are generalizations.

Certain personality types do much better in medicine than others.

- Extroverts do better in medicine than introverts
Medicine often works in a team environment. It requires significant interaction of colleagues and of course with patients. If you are an Introvert, your energy will be drained with these interactions and you will need some time off to regain your energy. If you're an extrovert, you will be energized at work and will be loved by your peers because you're outgoing.

- Sensing types do better in medicine than Intuitives
Sensing types are very good at remembering details, random facts, etc. They are excellent at memorization. The practice of medicine requires lots of memorization and easy recall of random facts, and the ability to pay attention to detail (changes in electrolytes, fine abnormalities on XRay or CT, subtle heart sounds) etc. The Intuitive types see the big picture and patterns, and are apt to miss small details. This is more true for the Introverted Intuitive than the Extroverted Intuitive. This makes the Sensing types appear more competent, more polished, and results in better evaluations, faster promotions, and entrance into competitive specialties at competitive residencies.

- Feeling types do better in medicine than Thinking types
Feeling types have an easier time developing great relationships with their colleagues and patients. They are considered compassionate. Thinking types will more often than not say something hurtful to either colleagues or patients (without realizing it, and in the name of logic), and therefore will develop less strong relationships than the Feeling type. With better relationships come better evaluations and better job opportunities. The Thinking types focus on fairness and merit -- but advancement in medicine is more about whether your colleagues like you and how well you get along with everyone.

- Judging types do better in medicine than Perceiving types
Judging types are good at accomplishing goals, fulfilling their responsibilities, being on time. This is extremely important in medicine. Perceiving types like to keep their options open, turn in things late, and have a difficult time making decisions.But, Perceiving types are flexible and can think on their feet, a good quality in Emergency Medicine and Trauma. For this reason, Judging types tend to do better in medicine than Perceiving types.

So the ideal personality type for medicine is ESFJ or ESTJ, or any combination with ES. Next is any combination with IS.
The worst personality type for internal medicine is INTJ, INTP, INFP, INFJ.
People in Emergency Medicine are Perceiving
Radiologists and Pathologists and Psychiatrists are often Introverted Intuitive
A survey of my classmates (small sample) turned up these statistics:
- The students who matched at UCSF in Internal Medicine were either ES, IS, or EN. None were IN.
- SF tended to go into OBGYN or Family Medicine
- INTJ's went into general surgery or psychiatry

I say all this to remind you that all personality types are welcomed in medicine, but not everyone can do Internal Medicine and be happy with their job. There are lots of options in medicine, so don't give up on your dreams of being a doctor. Internal Medicine might not be for you, but there's a host of other jobs in medicine out there!

To determine your personality type, go to www.humanmetrics.com

Yayy, I'm an ESTJ!!!! Gotta love the Myers Briggs or whatever it's called. Too bad I'm gonna get coronary heart disease before I get to even start practicing, (according to the Myers-Briggs test ESTJ's are highly likely to get coronary heart disease, and unlikely to get cancer).

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

Wow, I'm an INTP and I want to do internal medicine. Glad I read this before wasting my time pursuing an impossible dream!

🙄

 

[aggie08]

I am (apparently) ESFJ....didn't expect that.

 

[chman]

The OP is telling you a terror story that he/she is caught in. The only purpose of their story is this: Make sure you want to go into medicine because it is hard to get out of . That's it.

You can either think it over and decide you don't want to do medicine, or you can decide that you are very passionate about medicine and go for it. That's your decision.

The audacity that pre-med students would ridicule a resident's opinion on such a matter (which I might add they have almost NO experience with) disgusts me.

I know I am going to to be depressed when I eventually practice medicine, but it's not because of the OP, it's because I know all of you pre-meds will be my peers someday and I hate dealing with people like you.

No kidding. I value the kind of thing that the OP said. People have said that it does not matter because people are not happy at other jobs. The difference is that with other jobs you do not have 200,000+ in debt and 12+ years of your life dedicated to it. Too many people rush into this profession for the wrong reasons. No matter, I can pretty much say for sure that there will be people who read the OP's statement and don't take it to heart and later regret it when it is too late.