<p>What do you think are the pros and cons to each. If speciality matters, then lets say chemical or electrical engineer vs a dentist (not regular medicine). </p>
<p>Also, I've read everywhere that the only way to break through the ceiling in engineering is to go into management. My question is how hard is it to become a manager? I know it will take a lot of work, but as long as you put in a good amount of it, is it doable, or is it like (what a coincidence) medicine and dentistry where even hard-working, smart individuals do not get in?</p>
<p>The pros and cons of each is too subjective to get into. Obviously, if money is near the top of your priorities, than a career in medicine would be well fit for you (btw its harder to become a physician than a dentist). However, it takes more than just hard work and smarts to be a physician and the same goes for engineering management positions.</p>
<p>keep in mind that dentists have one of the highest suicide rate. just a fun stereotype like postal workers going postal. take it with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>If you intestered in a career in med or dentistry, do it. You will have a far more lucrative and stable career than in engineering. Today, engineers are nothing but a commodity - dime a dozen. Sadly, what was once a great and noble profession is no more. </p>
<p>With dentistry, you can take postgraduate training in Oral Surgery and actually earn an MD degree as part of the program.</p>
<p>i would just take a step back and picture what you want in 25 years...
if you want a family, and flexible work that is pretty routine and a "normal" company-type job, some benifits and such but not an overly high salary (low-mid 100s is my guess), not be still paying off college, have flexibility in getting a masters (if you want one, that is) then engineering is more of the profession
if you want a job with generally regular hours with a tiny amount of flexibility, but have already gone through total mayhem of hours (especially if you want to be a physician), high-pay, but still be paying off college loans, and have rigors you have to meet (such as keeping people healthy, not killing anyone, passing medical reviews, ect), and have school past undergrad work, and maybe having a family, then medicine is a path...</p>
<p>im not saying this is exaclty how each profession will be, but its a broad contrast...medicine generally requires much more self-discipline after undergrad work, whereas engineering requires much more disicipline during undergrad work...the payoffs are different salaries, different opporunities (an engineer can go get an MBA, or a masters in something else, or just work for some investment company, whereas medicine generally requires you to stay in that field, but theres a HUGE range of careers within medicine, so its an even trade), and different lifestyles for sure</p>
<p>toront0_guy - your statement about engineers being a commodity is sad but true...i guess when you hop in your car, turn on your computer, put food in a fridge, or take a plane on vacation, no one thinks about the work that went into it by engineers...technology isnt reveled at anymore, its expected...i guess thats why</p>
<p>toronto_guy apparently had a bad experience as a chemical engineer and Canada and is now convinced that an engineering career is not worthwhile.</p>
<p>california_love8, you seem to be mostly considered with money, so I'll talk about that. Engineers start out at 50-60k and make 80-110k with experience. The salary range for engineering managers varies a lot but it will generally be 10k+ higher than the standard engineering pay. In medicine the salaries ranges are much wider. The average salaries vary from 150-160k for GP's to 400k+ for specialist surgeons. Keep in mind that physicians and surgeons also have to pay malpractice insurance and work far longer hours, but their overall pay is still higher than that of other professions. Dentists have average salaries of 130-140k although the range is large. They work about 40 hours a week.</p>
<p>If money is your primary concern, go with medicine.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that you'll be in school longer if you pursue medicine, while if you go with the engineering route, you can find a job with just a bachelor's degree.</p>
<p>An Engineering and a Dentist are two differing careers.</p>
<p>As a Dentist you will probably be in school longer and have to pass difficult Board exams but you'll enjoy the perks of friendly hours, good pay, the "MD respect" and the opportunity to be more successful through private practice or further specialization.</p>
<p>As an Engineer you will have a typical work schedule and average pay that will increase based on experience and degrees.</p>