<p>I just finished my freshman year at a top university. I ended up with a B+ and C+ in gen chem, and withdrew from my gen bio class (I have zero bio experience), and got an A+ in statistics. Now I'm thinking that maybe becoming a doctor isn't worth it/what i want. I don't like surgery (I've shadowed several doctors); I wanted to become a pediatrician but 11 years of hell to make ~150k is kinda ridiculous. I'm now beginning to realize that I love math and doing things that make me think in terms of numbers, like evaluating the probability of X, rather than how bio is straight facts. Now I don't know what to do, where to intern this summer. If I go into the analyst field, I am so behind because all I have is shadowing experience and experience with children. Any advice on switching career paths/good careers that have a high salary (100k+) and aren't too economy focused. Thanks!!!!</p>
<p>if you really like numbers but don’t want to do any sort of finance work, there is always statistics, epidemiology, pure math, engineering, and cryptography.</p>
<p>Since you have taken statistics, you could see if there are any labs at your school looking for people to analyze data. That was how I got my first research position.</p>
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It looks like you had a well thought out rationale for being a pre-med:D That C+ seems to have suddenly brought the lengthiness of medical training into focus for you. When you do find another 100k+ dollar alternative, I sure hope, you don’t let something else change your mind again. Good luck.</p>
<p>Biostatistics and bioinfomatics are also very hot employment fields right now.</p>
<p>Actuarial science is always in demand.</p>
<p>If you enjoyed stats, consider taking probability. D2 said that probablility was one of the most interesting upper level math classes she took in college. Probability has wide applications in many fields including risk management, insurance, artificial intelligence and gambling science.</p>
<p>D2 spent a summer working in mathematical neuro-oncology lab doing image analysis/mathematical mapping to exploring new ways to evaluate the success of treatment protocols.</p>
<p>If you want to find a research lab position, you should do as brown suggests. (It works.)</p>
<p>If you’d rather work in a field other than biology, try visiting your college’s career center and see what kind of business-based internships are available. You might also talk to some profs in the math and business depts.</p>
<p>(BTW, It’s awfully late in the year to be looking an internship for this summer. Summer has already started.)</p>
<p>I could not offer any specific advice and do not know from which top school OP is from.</p>
<p>But somehow I think, if OP is from a school like Princeton, he may have the typed of intern jobs in mind more related to the Wall Street ( otherwise why would he says he is so behind at the end of freshmen year?) rather than a more nerdy job related to research labs in an academic settings .
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If this is the case, the self-understanding your personally could be important. DS said one of these types he knew has this type. (Usually smart, effective, but just do not like traditional academics. Having more time to play games - ESP. Poker game and competition for the right kind of intern seem to be important.</p>
<p>Have you tried your school’s career center?</p>
<p>It all depends who you want to be. If you pursue somebody’s goals, not yours, then you are asking for trouble. I was there and absolutely had to switch in my 30s, just could not handle it any more. Went back to school, found the job and various employers paid for my further education all the way thru an MBA. So, think seriously, treat your own desires with a very high respect. Yes, swithing later is a possibility. However, it took very accomodating / supportive spouse in my case to make it happen and of course a bit of hard work on my part.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your replies! The problem is I’m liking bio less and less</p>
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Probably you’re liking it less and less the closer and closer you get to the finals, right?</p>
<p>"The problem is I’m liking bio less and less "
-Not clear why are asking us instead of yourself. We do not know why you feel this way. You might be going thru some rough patch or bio might not be for you, period. I know for sure 200%, that any of this is NOT for me. Not capable of remembering anything, never was. So, I choose to be in a field where the analytical skills are crucial and memory is not. You need to evaluate what is going on with your dislike of Bio. It is a very very hard road ahead, nobody can make it to the end if they do not like it. It is extremely challenging and will be much more so in Medical School. Most people do it out of passion, they simply do not see themselves doing anything else…or they fall out of this track…</p>