I need serious advice for my career in medical field

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the considerations of pursuing a medical career versus advancing in the field of biochemistry for an individual with a biochemistry degree who is contemplating medical school at the age of 33. Participants explore the implications of age, financial aspects, personal fulfillment, and career satisfaction.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about their age and the time commitment required for medical school, suggesting that they would be over 40 upon completion.
  • Another participant argues that age should not be a deterrent for entering medical school, emphasizing the importance of personal motivation over financial considerations.
  • A different participant shares their experience of a spouse who attended medical school at 33 and found fulfillment in the decision.
  • Several participants discuss the financial burden of medical school, including significant debt and years of low income during training.
  • There is a sentiment that many pursue medicine out of a desire to help others rather than for financial gain, although practical considerations are acknowledged.
  • One participant mentions the Student Doctor Network as a resource for non-traditional pre-medical students.
  • A later reply notes the time elapsed since the original post, suggesting the original poster may have progressed in their career decisions since then.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the implications of age and financial considerations in pursuing a medical career versus a master's degree. There is no consensus on which path is more suitable, as opinions vary based on personal values and circumstances.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of personal aspirations and motivations in making career choices, indicating that individual circumstances may significantly influence the decision-making process.

Jin S Zhang
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Hi guys,

I am 33-year-old who have Biochemistry degree. Now, I am considering to go to medical school. One of the problems is my age. I am pretty old. If I go to medical school, I will have to spend another 7 years including residency to be a doctor. I would be over 40 years of age at that time. I think that it is not suitable for that career. As far as I notice, average age of medical doctors in the United States is just 30.
I have another choice too. I can also apply for Master degree in Biotech or Biochemistry. I just need to spend two years for that. Anyway, this career is no match for doctors when it comes to money.
I need you guys' advice and experience for my career. Which one is suitable for me? What are my weak points and strong points? Thanks all.
 
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Your age won't matter in terms of medical school or becoming a physician. It's only an issue of personal decision if you want to completely change careers (med school) or just advance within the career you've already chosen (Master's in Biochem). If you're only looking at it from a perspective of earning potential, however, don't even bother. Nobody wants a doctor who's only in it for the money and doesn't have a deep desire to do that kind of work. If you are really interested in both options and are just weighing earnings to try to justify the time commitment at your stage in life, then consider that you're going to leave med school deep in debt, and will spend quite a few years just paying off your student loans (unless you're already wealthy enough to pay for med school without loans). A master's degree is going to leave you with a lot less debt, and sooner to start earning again.

We sure can't tell you which is most suitable for you, nor do we know anything about you to tell you what your strong and weak points are. You need to think about that for yourself, decide what you want to do with your own life, and which is a better path for you. About all we can surmise from your post is that you're not content with your current career or the limitations imposed by your current education.
 
Hmm...this gives me a measure of hope as well. Personally I'm only getting my physics PhD to satisfy that pesky, insatiable appetite for physics (which I discussed at length in a recent thread). After I get done and hopefully satify that appetite, I've been thinking about applying to med school myself. Of course it occurred to me that I'd be 28 by this time. But if you can do it at 33, then I suppose I could as well!
 
my wife went to med school at 33, and she is glad she did (and so am i, as she is happier and more fulfilled).
 
I've always thought doctors did their studies to help people... not make loads of money :/
 
fizziks said:
I've always thought doctors did their studies to help people... not make loads of money :/

One would hope so.

Starting a career at 40, even if you stick with a traditional retirement age of 65, leaves you 25 years of practice. That's a lot of time to be useful and productive. Looking at it the other way, it could also be 25 years of sticking with the same old job, or another one that's not fulfilling, which is a long time to be unhappy with one's career choices. So, it's not at all about the age, but about making the right choice for one's personal aspirations.
 
fizziks said:
I've always thought doctors did their studies to help people... not make loads of money :/

Most do but even then, you have to think about your situation that for a good 10 yrs (med school/residency) you're making next to nothing and will leave with 200,000+ dollars in debt. I want to be a doctor and I'd do it for free because the scientific medical field is amazing in my opinion. But practicality kinda rules that out.
 
Are you familiar with SDN (student doctor network)? They're probably the best pre-medical/medical student forum on the web, you should check out their non-traditional forums.
 
just to let you guys know ... claytonh4 responded to this 4 years after it was posted, I'm sure this guy is either almost done with medical school by now or has moved on to other stuff.
 
  • #10
bpatrick said:
just to let you guys know ... claytonh4 responded to this 4 years after it was posted, I'm sure this guy is either almost done with medical school by now or has moved on to other stuff.

You're right. Thread locked.
 

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