Good evening! So, I am hoping to pursue medicine by going to medical school. However, later onward in life, I hope to start my own airline (I know, it seems like a dumb goal to have). However, this is what I really hope to do. However, I was wondering if anyone had any type of information about which major in undergrad to take? I mean, I was hoping to take a major that would surely hope to help with setting up an airline, whilst not being TOO specific, if that makes sense. Thanks!
There is no specific major required for medical school admission, but you will need to have taken coursework in all of the following areas if you want to be considered: general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, statistics or biostatistics, sociology, psychology, oral & written communication, medical ethics.
As for starting your own airline–business.
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Seems like some branch of science with a business minor might make sense.
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Oh ok. @WayOutWestMom @NorthernMom61 thanks for the reply! However, I was wondering more about what specific business major to pursue? Like finance, accounting, etc?
@avmigeek–
I want to make sure that you understand just how long it takes to become a physician.
Medicine is demanding and time-consuming.
4 years of undergrad, 4 years of medical school (while you accrue approx $200 -$400K in loans to pay for med school), followed by 3-8 years of clinical training (called residency). If you decide to sub-specialize, add another 1-3 years. At a minimum, it takes 7-12 years post college to become a physician.
During residency you won’t be paid much (less than what your high teacher makes) and will be working an average of 80 hours/week, with up to 24 hours straight on duty. (That’s the legal maximum allowed, but some specialties actually work longer hours than that–just off the books.) Additionally as resident, you’re not in control of your schedule. You will be working days, nights, graveyard, weekends, holidays. You’re told when to show and work and for how long–no negotiation allowed. You won’t have the time to be entrepreneurial during residency.
Once out of residency, assuming you have made the minimum loan repayments for the last 3-8 years, you will be in your mid 30s with a quarter to half million dollars in personal debt. (Current interest rates on med school loans are 8% and all professional student loans are unsubsidized so interest starts accruing the minute they’re disbursed.) That debt needs to paid off first before you’re going to be able to raise the capital needed to start an airline or even buy a single plane. Practicing physicians work an average of 60 hours/week (for some specialties the hours are much higher).
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Yeah, I understand that. Thanks for letting me know! Yeah, that is true. @WayOutWestMom
Just stumbled across this. If you want to start an airline, you should become a Bankruptcy Attorney. You will need one.