<p>Hi, I know that for engineers there is a TON of money directly out of college, but also a quick ceiling that is damn near impossible to break through. Although I understand that 100k plus is a good amount of money, but since I want to do something in medicine (be it malpractice law, Biomed Engineering, or an actual doctor), it kinda seems lame to do Engineering when they have to put up with similar courseload pressure that docs, and lawyers do (if not more than a lawyer in some aspects), but not nearly as much payoff in the end. Another problem is that I know I'm better suited to engineering because I like doing reasearch and application more than performing procedures. I also understand that I can get an MBA and become a manager or something, but how much do they end up earning anyway? </p>
<p>I hope to earn at least 150k+ since thats about the same as a lawyer, but is it possible to do this as a biomed engineer? Its also been suggested to me that I get a degree in Biomed, go to law school and specialize in patent law, which is ok, but will I still get to be involved with some of the companies' projects then or not?</p>
<p>It seems you need to rearrange your priorities. Why are you so concerned with how much money you'll make when any of those professions you listed will provide you with more than enough to live comfortably? It is extremely foolish to make money a top priority. Why is it so vital you earn over $150k, anyway?</p>
<p>Not sure if this will help, but I have to agree with Addwit.</p>
<p>The payoff of doing something that you like is that you'll enjoy it. There's money in basically anything if you're good at it and passionate about it. I'll have to suggest taking a closer look at each of the professions to what you're really willing to do.</p>
<p>It sounds like you haven't yet decided to major in engineering as an undergrad?</p>
<p>I'd tend to agree with the others - money isn't everything. But, it's important to note that majoring in biomedical engineering will make it easier for you to get into law or medical school.</p>
<p>Honestly, I would tend to think that a biomedical engineer could make a lot more money than either a doctor or a lawyer - if you're really, really good and lucky. I believe that top-paid doctors generally make less than top-paid lawyers, and top-paid lawyers (who have had to work really exceptionally incredibly hard to get there - harder than any undergraduate engineer) make about 2 mill a year. On the other hand, if you start up some kind of biomedical engineering company, you could theoretically be making tens of millions of dollars per year. It's a lot less probable that that'll happen (you have to be good and have a lot of luck), but the potential for great money in cutting-edge technology is a lot higher than the potential for great money in any standard profession.</p>
<p>At the same time, if you're just looking for a guarantee of over 150k, go with being a doctor. But, please don't be my doctor - the idea of my physician being strictly in it for the money makes me a bit queasy.</p>
<p>Just curious but ender04 you stated, "I'd tend to agree with the others - money isn't everything. But, it's important to note that majoring in biomedical engineering will make it easier for you to get into law or medical school." </p>
<p>Thats what I am intending to do major in biomed and go to med or law school. But is there any proof that a biomed major has a higher chance of being accepted to law or med school? </p>
<p>"Thats what I am intending to do major in biomed and go to med or law school. But is there any proof that a biomed major has a higher chance of being accepted to law or med school?"
THis is a fallacy, since medical schools DO NOT favor people in a certain major, while engineering is a very hard major which could damage your GPA seriously.</p>
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Honestly, I would tend to think that a biomedical engineer could make a lot more money than either a doctor or a lawyer - if you're really, really good and lucky. I believe that top-paid doctors generally make less than top-paid lawyers, and top-paid lawyers (who have had to work really exceptionally incredibly hard to get there - harder than any undergraduate engineer) make about 2 mill a year. On the other hand, if you start up some kind of biomedical engineering company, you could theoretically be making tens of millions of dollars per year. It's a lot less probable that that'll happen (you have to be good and have a lot of luck), but the potential for great money in cutting-edge technology is a lot higher than the potential for great money in any standard profession.
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<p>Well, that's not an entirely fair comparison, as you are now basically comparing the professions to entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship always offers the potential for great rewards, but in return for far greater risk. To make the comparison fair, you should be comparing a biomed engineer who founds a successful startup vs. a lawyer who founds his own highly successful law practice - i.e. like John Edwards, who founded a highly successful personal injury practice and has a reported net worth of up to $60 million.</p>
<p>I'm currently a BME undergrad with plans(dreams) of going to med school. IF I could do it again perhaps I would've just been a neuroscience/bio major. BME is hard, harder than most of the typical pre-med majors. For instance, the semester I took orgo, it was a class that I couldn't dedicate that much time to because I had to take engineering classes that were WAY more involved(numerical modeling, blood transport, neural processes, systems, etc.). The bio pre-meds, however, were able to dedicate a seemingly unlimited number of hours to mastering orgo(and then went to class and complained about how much work was involved in the class). That said, I think that using BME as a "one-up" in trying to get to med school is a fallacy, you will innevitably take a hit on your GPA...and GPA is the name of the game in med school.</p>
<p>Of course, there will be those who get 4.0's in BME and all I can say is f em..lol.</p>
<p>Also, please don't use money as a motivational factor, it gets old real fast when you're constantly putting in 18-19 hour days just to study/get hw done..as an undergrad.</p>
<p>why can't someone make money their main focus of their job? isn't that why u work to begin with? while U may think "job satisfaction" should be the priority, that is ur opinion and there's no reason why u should think others are wrong for not thinking the same way.</p>
<p>i'm sure a lot of CEOs, doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers etc. all chose their profession with salary in mind.</p>
<p>Why shouldn't you make money your main focus?
I personally don't want to be ****ed off everyday when I have to go to work. Sure, alot of those people did choose their profession for the money. Yeah, they probably have great cars and houses, but that doesn't mean they're happy about the upcoming week come sunday evening.</p>
<p>I can't speak to med school, but biomedical engineering will NOT increase your chances of getting into law school (unless perhaps you are interested in patent law). In fact, since it will probably drag your GPA down it will actually decrease your chances at law school.</p>
<p>Sure, alot of those people did choose their profession for the money. Yeah, they probably have great cars and houses, but that doesn't mean they're happy about the upcoming week come sunday evening.</p>
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<p>it also doesn't mean they are UNHAPPY "about the upcoming week come sunday evening." who suggested getting paid well and doing a job u are doing, are mutually exclusive? further, there's nothing wrong with choosing a career path because of the financial reward involved. u may not agree, but that's ur value system. good for u for being so virtuous in ur career explorations. </p>
<p>people are allowed to do whatever floats their boat. if it means working for money, then power to them. if anything is pathetic, it's that there are some people who think they live in a higher plane of existence for doing things for the right ("right" being defined by themselves) reasons.</p>
<p>i'd like to see some statistics that show that most people are happy in their current jobs. i'm sure we could count a few who would be happy doing a different job for more pay. </p>
<p>by your logic, i'm sure there must be a lot of pathetic people in this world, because i'm sure many people aren't in jobs that satisfy them. FURTHER, i'm sure a lot of mediocre jobs would get a whole lot more satifsfying, if those folks were paid better.</p>