<p>Why don't you do what you think you'd enjoy most?</p>
<p>I'm going to do what I enjoy the most, but I'm just wondering how long I'd have to stay at school to be expert at my major to be able to invent something on my own...</p>
<p>Well, you'd have more knowledge and therefore a better chance getting a PhD...I guess...I dunno.</p>
<p>I think you should spend a couple of years at college before deciding your future. You seem to have only a vague understanding of what these career options would involve...</p>
<p>hmm what about a physician-scientist...they spend half their time with clinical work and half with research, is that an easier life? and a Ph.D. in engineering is not too common...most wanting to do further study just get their masters in 1.5 yrs. And my sister started at 80k in engineering with a masters. I'm thinking of doing undergrad in engineering and then going for an MBA, but im still not ruling out med school.</p>
<p>[1337hax0r] And my sister started at 80k in engineering with a masters...</p>
<p>Which field of engineering was she in? 80K sounds quite high. I thought average eng salaries were 50K for B.S. and 60K for M.S., fresh out of the college.</p>
<p>Usually its 60K for BS and 70K for MS in the good fields of engineering but there are some that pay higher. I have a friend that just got his BS from UT-Austin in Aerospace Engineering and is now making 80K for some Aerospace company in Dallas so just because 60K is the average doesn't mean it's the rule.</p>
<p>EECS, from MIT...she turned down a job at google for a start up company</p>
<p>How much you get paid varies by the area you work, what sized company you work for, what your specialty is, and whether you got some real-world job experience while still in college. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.engineeringsalary.com%5B/url%5D">www.engineeringsalary.com</a> is a pretty good way to determine the average salary by those different variables.</p>
<p>Being a doctor doesnt pay nearly as much as it used to due to malpractice insurance premiums they have to pay. Also, there is a lot more of them now so there is competition for the best spots to work. Why throw away 10 years of your life in ultracompetitve bio classes when you can make at least the same money in business?</p>
<p>"but I really have no idea what kind of education and resources it would take an individual to invent something on their own."</p>
<p>People patent stuff left and right, no matter how much their inventions might seem to suck. What you usually need is a PhD or some other graduate degree that will let you do research. It is by doing research that you get to invent stuff. A number of professors in sciences who teach students in college hold some kind of patents. Some think it adds more weight to their resume and hope it might make them prosper one day. Needless to say, few patents actually bring any monetary compensation. Other professors will not patent anything on moral ground. They think that results of any research should be free to all to use and that patents impeede the scientific progress of mankind due to people's selfish desire of gain.</p>
<p>Also, I do not think that you can decide to be either doctor or engineer just based on which on is cooler or pays more. There are many differences existing between the two professions. The most important point I see that concerns the near future is that as pre-med in college you'll have to memorize tons of stuff. And even more stuff as a medical school student. As an engineer you memorize less, but you have to build more connections between the informaiton you absorb. You have to figure stuff out and be very good with math and physics and abstract concepts. As a pre-med you have to have a strong memory, good reading abilities, and preferably memorize things as you read them only once (twice at most, as you won't have more time). Eventually, you might discover that you are more apt at doing one over another and therefore enjoy studying for one profession more than the other.</p>
<p>You probably shouldnt become a doctor for the sake of being a doctor. My dad was in school for 34 years before he finally become a full fledged doctor (with the pay youd expect). There are many obstacles but theyre all just a means to an end if medicine is your passion.</p>
<p>Umm...being a doctor does not require that many more years...medical school is four years extra but you spend a couple of years getting a masters in other fields. Then its fours years of residency, where you do get paid, not much, but enough to live off of, and then you get a 6-figure salary when your like 29. If you do finish your education, it won't be that hard to find a job, the field is growing not shrinking. And despite all the malpractice insurance and stuff it is the "safest" way to make a ton of money.</p>
<p>I'm not saying that's what you should do, its just that every1 else seemed to be downplaying being a doctor. Actually, I'm having the same debate that you are having...I plan to major in engineering while taking pre-med classes so I have both options later.</p>
<p>I'm not downplaying being a doctor. My dad is one and I am gonna try to be one (if i can make it!).
But, nameless, it does require a lot more years than other professions. Trust me on this. Residency does not usually just take four years. That is likely the bare minimum. Most go into more specialized fields where residency, intern, etc takes longer. (My dad = general surgeon = 6ish total years after med school)</p>
<p>Hmm...k....I believe you.</p>