Getting medicine-irrelevant jobs during sophomore and junior summers-will it hurt?

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>tl;dr at bottom</p>

<p>Hey guys, I'm an Econ major at a top LAC who is considering pre-med.</p>

<p>I'm interested because I feel medicine is something I'd like to do in the long run, like when I'm in my 40s or 50s because it's a meaningful, altruistic job, and it's secure.
However, my parents are already paying full-tuition for my education, and will soon have to pay for my 2 other siblings' college as well, so financing a medical education is really important to me.</p>

<p>My parents really would think medicine is worth investing in for the long run, and they'd be willing to help me pay for that if I decide to get in. To them, it's a matter of whether I can actually get into medical school that's important. Finances not as much simply because "it'll pay itself back in time" and doctors are in demand.</p>

<p>We already paid off the mortage on our nice house in the suburbs, and they make about 100k a year. However, most of the money they're gaining now isn't going into their retirement but into our educations. So I guess you can say I'm really really lucky in the birth lottery for having been born in one of the most supportive (education wise) families of all. If I do end up making a decent salary in my adult years, I would definitely support my parents all the way, and reciprocate the same support they have given me.</p>

<p>But my problem is: I'm not sure what we're doing would be fiscally wise, especially since medical school would not make significant returns until a decade into it. I mean sure my parents would help pay off interest rates off my loans, but there are great opportunity costs in pursuing medicine. </p>

<p>I was thinking about working for a couple years before medical school, because I'd like to make some money right out of college to help pay for medical school. But in order to get a high-paying job, I'd need to get internships over the summer for experience. I was thinking of finance (which is something I could tolerate doing short run) doing some consulting or banking gig. But it wouldn't be the same experience pre-meds usually have when they apply to medical school to show that being a doctor is really for them. </p>

<p>I can already imagine the interviewers asking me "why not finance?", and since I'm an Econ major it might be hard convincing them why I want to study sciences for another 4 years. And believe me, I wouldn't do finance because I'm trying to use each gasp of air to make money. </p>

<p>so tl;dr I don't know whether it's possible to compromise two fields, one long run, one short-run, in order to secure a financially safe future. Should I just focus completely on medicine? Would they ever hire an ex "greedy finance wanker"?</p>

2

<p>OP, the vast majority of MS students are financing their professional school costs through debt. Doing this would simplify your choices, would let your parents prepare for their retirement and would allow you to go to MS without any delay. Do you already have a lot of education debt?</p>

3

<p>D. had non-medical job for 3 years at college. this was the only job she had while in college. Any job is better than no job and she had the best one on campus.<br>
You will not have anywhere close to pay for Med. School. If you consider Med. School, attend right after college.
$100 income is too low to contribute to Med. School cost. If your parents can withdraw from 401k without penalty, then it is the way to go. Otherwise, loans.</p>

4

<p>The short answer to your question is that even working retail can buttress a med school app. (Retails can be a brutal job, and real learning experience.)</p>

<p>But the broader issue is unfortunately, that you are considering two diametrically opposed tracks in life, both of which require you to be ‘all-in’. Getting I-banking can be more difficult than obtaining admissions to med school. Getting into med requires appropriate ECs. You don’t have to complete them as a undergrad, but if you don’t you’ll need to complete them after you graduate. And then when will you have time? No Wall Street firm is gonna give you time off to go shadow a local doc or volunteer in a homeless shelter. </p>

<p>Sure, Econ majors find jobs in this economy, but most are as an “Analyst” category, not even close to six-figures.</p>

<p>As an econ prospie, you mentioned opportunity cost. Compare several fewer years of being a physician (salary) with a Financial Analyst.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Your main ‘problem’ is clearly delineated in one of your previous posts…you don’t know what you want to do with life – few do at 19 – and are only considering medicine because your 'rents are making you.</p>

5

<p>There may be another problem with the following even it is a nice thought. Your better half may have to agree to that. ;)</p>

<p>“If I do end up making a decent salary in my adult years, I would definitely support my parents all the way, and reciprocate the same support they have given me.”</p>

6

<p>“If I do end up making a decent salary in my adult years, I would definitely support my parents all the way, and reciprocate the same support they have given me.” </p>

<p>-Definitely NOT. It just shows were you are now at 19, just where everybody else is at 19. Believe me your parents will NOT ask you for a penny. Believe me, you will NOT have a penny to give to them (even making about $200k / year, which looks decent this days). Believe me, EVERYBODY will be happy just to survive on their own.</p>

7

<p>As the oldest, you have a responsibility to your parents, but more importantly to your younger siblings (whether you feel this at 19 depends on a number of factors, but trust me, you should place their futures ahead of your parents).</p>

<p>This is your opportunity to set a precedent. Be grateful that your parents will provide you with a debt free undergrad education, but put the responsibility on your back for any further educational expenses - you free your parents up to worry about your siblings and provide a good example for your siblings should they desire to pursue advanced degrees. </p>

<p>If your parents are insistent about helping to finance your medical education, then simply borrow the money from them - with interest. They’ll certainly give you a better rate than the 6.25% interest the feds are putting on student loans, they get the benefit of feeling like they contributed, you get the benefits of owing less money overall and the feeling that you haven’t put undue stress on them.</p>

<p>As for the non-medical job - anything that exposes you to the general public on their poorest behavior (retail, food service) can be spun easily into a positive. Doing something only for the money may work in an “epiphany” of helping people sort of way, but at least to my midwest sensibilities, is high-risk for labeling you a phony when you do end up applying to med school, no matter how sincere the truth may be.</p>

8

<p>More than anybody in your future life, you will be responsible for your own kids and their future. So, please, keep this in mind. This is not from parent’s prospective, it is from grandparent’s prospective.</p>