<p>From the Atlantic, but I really think the question pertains to both men and women, especially when you consider that PA is already quite a bit of extra school. The classic example is plumbing, for example, which generally only requires a high school education.</p>
<p>[Is</a> Medical School a Worthwhile Investment for Women? - Keith Chen & Judith Chevalier - The Atlantic](<a href=“Is Medical School a Worthwhile Investment for Women? - The Atlantic”>Is Medical School a Worthwhile Investment for Women? - The Atlantic)</p>
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<p>Plumbing, like other skilled trades, does typically require some post-secondary education plus apprenticeship.</p>
<p>For somebody who can see themselves only being an MD. Med. School is very worthwhile. more so if parents are paying. For this person to become a plumber will mean a life long struggle with one question “what if”. It can lead to deep depression and generally very unhappy life. My D. on one of her trips to very poor region of our planet, has met a woman in her late 50s. When they strike conversation (it was happenning in clinic) the woman started crying complaining that she was not allowed to get an education because her family forced her to take care of them. This type of situation could easily happen in this country when person does it to himself and instead of long way involving many years of education, will go for fast money.<br>
Do not do it to yourself, follow your heart, it is extremely important. I myself changed my profession in mid 30, so I know what I am talking about. I ended up goping to school for many more years than any MD, although I have been working full time while going to school and it was not near as intense as Med. School.
However, if you are inspired to be a plumber, there is nothing wrong with that and money is decent.<br>
General conversation about worthwhile or not are very misleading.</p>
<p>As the article points out, NPV is a purely financial instrument and fails to capture many other elements to a career. Nonetheless, since we do often hear about finances on this board and many others, it’s important to keep in mind.</p>
<p>More to the point, this is part of my ongoing attempt to demonstrate that “peak income” is not the best way to measure finances, any more than “most RBI in one game” is the best way to measure a baseball player.</p>
<p>Doctors still have the income and work stability to handle their student loans, and work satisfaction matters too. The autonomy and more advanced role of a physician is worth a financial hit. CRNAs probably beat PCPs in terms of NPV too, but that doesn’t mean the PCP chose incorrectly.</p>