DETSAzn

Thanks for your concern funkyfunnybunny (cool name!). I'd just like to add that I've been to multiple engineering programs at Dupont, Hercules, and Gore, and I'm currently volunteering at a children's hospital for the summer. I feel like I know about these careers, but I would like additional perspectives and opinions. I know that the decision is ultimately my own, and I'm just trying to apply to a college that I won't have to transfer out of b/c my interests change.

bigndude

If you don't mind working long hours, the year of training, and relatively low pay for amount of hours worked, and you have a deep passion for medicine then do it of course. If you have any doubts you have 4 years to consider them. Medicine is really a calling, not something you just decide to do because you can.

ˣΆË

check it out. gives a bit more insight into what becoming a physician takes. this will tell you exactly what you can expect, going into medicine. it's a lot of work, yes, but the career is fruitful in the long run.

http://people.howstuffworks.com/becoming-a-doctor.htm

golubb_u

Pros
------
1> You be in the #1 wealthiest group of income earners in the US. Doctors get more than CEOs on average.

2> The malpractice insurance is still low enuf to make doctors the richest group of individuals.

3> You'll get to work with a lot of different people, for a few minutes each. Also, if you're a male, you'll have tons of nurses to work with. From what I've heard, the doctors often end up marrying one of the nurses or other doctors.....your chances of finding love are much higher as a doctor than with any other profession.

4> AMA has tight controls on supply of doctors... You'll have a job for-ever, without any worries of getting laid off.

5> Doctors can typically make their own hours (especially in the specialites.) If you WANT to work longer, that's your perogative. Most doctors work long hours because they get paid that much more....hours=dollars.

6> Typically doctors don't report to anyone, or maybe they might report to 1 person.

7> You'll have very few meetings, presentations, public speaking.....most people don't like doing this. after a while it drags on you.


8> The MOST stressful part of being a doctor is during schooling/residency. After that, it's much easier. If you're a surgeon, it may get still be stressful, but less so than other jobs. e.g. being an IB or engineer is more stressful on average, because they're always under pressure.....doctors are under pressure on occasions only.

Cons
------
1) you'll have debt after med school, but not to worry. YOu'll pay it down in no time. Nobody gives up med school because of the debt....they all know it's a bogus excuse.

impactangel

hahahahaha

very funny

pros list
1) a ceo's bonus is often more than 5 years of paychecks for a doctor
2) sure...who wouldn't enjoy paying 250k in malpractice? that sound low to you?
3) doctors often struggle with relationships because of the long hours that medicine requires
4) okay...so this is probably true
5) that's true too i guess
6) if you work in a hospital, you'll report to plenty of people...and technically, all doctors report to their patients
7) this is true as well, but certainly not a good reason to enter medicine...if you don't like speaking in front of people, becoming a computer programmer or a janitor will also allow you to avoid those situations
8) hmm...not necessarily too...when you are holding someone's life in your hands, i'd call that a lot of stress and responsiblity...try asking er docs if their job requires a lot of worrying

cons list
1) umm...I'm $240,000 in debt. And I'm not going to be done paying that off for a long long time.

PSedrishMD

Once again, Impact's views are spot-on.

bigndude

Impact you took the words outta my mouth. Great job.

golubb_u

"The average physician's salary is about $155,000 now"

That's more than CEOs of companies, on average.

ForeverZero

^ According to what source? I looked up CEO salaries at www.salary.com, and according to that site, the national average is $617,461 base and $949,333 including bonuses.

impactangel

That may be true. But CEO's get bonuses. CEO's don't have to study for 8 years, emerge from school roughly $100,000 (on average) in debt, and then toil through residency. CEO's don't pay for malpractice insurance from their after-tax salaries.

All in all, you won't starve as a physician. I'm sure the money that doctors make should give them a fairly comfortable (and in many cases, even a luxurious) lifestyle. But like everyone else said earlier, if you are in it for the big money, you will be sorely disappointed. (And besides, money is no comfort when you're on call at 3 in the morning)

ˣΆË

pros:

1) if having the highest income in the world really matters, then take your chances with becoming a corporate paper-pusher. a career as a doctor is still fruitful.
2) 250k is an exaggeration. especially if you're talking per year. depending upon your field of medicine, your malpractice insurance rates will vary. the highest i've heard of is around 70k or so. and even that is unheard of to many.
3) depends. you yourself (impact) agreed that doctors can move their hours around. it also depends on what field you are in. also, doctors have an advantage over many other careers in that a doctor can usually make room for vacations at pretty much any time he/she wants.
4) true. you really dont have to worry about losing your job. unless, of course, you mess up somewhere. but that works for any job, i would assume.
5) yep (see above)
6) im not sure what this was originally referring to. yes, you do see your patients. thats part of the job. but its really not like you have a boss.
7) true, but i personally dont see anything wrong with that. presentations and projects can take you on many paid vacations.
8) this depends on what you do. if you simply run a practice that sees outpatients, then you're pretty much stress-free. as a surgeon, you will face pressure. everything inbetween, it just depends. it's your choice.

cons:
1) dont worry about the debt. it will be paid off in time. but if you really dont want to face it, then go for scholarships. plus there are plenty of forms of financial aid out there. you would be surprised at how many people really are eligible for financial aid, regardless of their backgrounds.

________________________

it really just depends on where your interests are. do what you will be interested in. its your career, your life.

golubb_u

Hey, poster above. Thanks for a SANE perspective.....at first I thought you were arguing with my post, but it sounds like a rebuttal to others...
For the guy thats $250k in debt (impactangel)...how did you manage that? The total cost for medschool for 1 year is about 40k (including room+board+food), and that's assuming you don't work even 10 minutes a week. The only way to rack up that much debt is to

1) have zero scholarship, plus
2) not work at ALL, plus
3) Go to med school for 4 years, plus
4) Buy a BMW 540 with full cash!!!

We all know that the last 3 years in residency pays at the poverty line, so you don't make any money but you don't lose either.

And, if you're feeling so bad about the debt, why did you do medicine to begin with? It seems hypocritical to complain about a debt but go for a MD anyways.

Also, if you're paying 250k in malpractice insurance, how much are you making!! You must be rolling in dough if you can afford to pay 250k every year, and yet not bail out of your specialty and go into family practice (where you still net 140k after medmal)!!!!

impactangel

My school (TJU) cost me roughly $60000 a year. 4 years of that and you get $240000.

My case is a bit extreme as the average medical student emerges with only $100000 of debt. But still, it just goes to illustrate that a medical education is long and expensive.

If you are doing it because it seems cool or because you expect a quick payday, it's gonna be a disappointing ride.

As for my own medical malpractice, $250000 isn't what I pay. I was just using that as an example (someone previously quoted that some surgeons may pay that much). However, I still wouldn't characterize medmal rates as low and insignificant. I only see them rising from this point forward!! (and it is certainly something prospective doctors should keep in mind or pay attention to in the news)

golubb_u

"But still, it just goes to illustrate that a medical education is long and expensive"

It's exactly as expensive as a grad (phd) program without scholarhships, so it's nothing unique to just doctors. Anybody doing grad school without a stipend/scholarship will also be 150k in debt.

Another BIG plus for becoming a doctor....

- There is no....repeat NO...age discrimination! An older doctor is perceived as a better doctor.

In most other professions (engineering, Investment banking), you're a dinosaur if you're over 35. You better become a manager (note, you won't be engineering or IBing anymore, you'll be doing paper pushing and pork-barreling/politics) or else you're gonna feel odd competing against 25 year olds.

Do a google search on "age discrimination" for doctors, and you won't find 2 decent links in the entire 500k+ hits. Do the same thing for engineers, and every single link for 100 pages is filled with engineers complaining about age discrimination.

DETSAzn

I believe that it would be rather silly to choose a job based upon its salary.

I'm considering a medical field because I truly like anatomy and physiology. Before, I was an aspiring engineer, but I really have to rethink that one after taking AP Calc BC this year...

However, I still feel that engineers may have the best package: 4-5 yrs of school with good scholarships for women, good salary, and good job opportunities.