<p>I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Spanish in 2011, and I'm now pursuing a second bachelor's degree in physics. I've always loved science and math and I've taken the pre-med course requirements while I was working on my first degree. Since I haven't taken the MCAT, it's obviously too late to apply to medical school this year, but I'm considering applying next year.</p>
<p>My question is: How am I to figure out if I want to pursue a career in medicine versus a career in physics?</p>
<p>With physics, I see myself teaching at a university or doing research. With medicine, I see myself working abroad in less-fortunate countries, most likely as an OB-GYN. I do love helping people, and I can see myself living a very fulfilled life as a physician. I still have a passion for the kind of knowledge physics produces, so I am left torn between the two.</p>
<p>Any suggestions for solving this dilemma? Would shadowing a doctor help to resolve my indecision?</p>
<p>Perhaps I can speak to this. My older child graduated with a physics degree, was offered a slot in a top physics grad program, but choose to do her med school pre-reqs and go to med school instead.</p>
<p>She says that physics was the most interesting thing she every studied bar none. Waaaayyyy more interesting than medicine. But most of the jobs available to physicists are awful. </p>
<p>BTW, the odds of you getting a position as research scientist are very long. [I know–DH was a PhD physicist and research scientist at a major National Lab until his death not long ago. I know where his classmates from his Top 5 grad program ended up. Out of his peer group, only ~3 out of 50+ ended up in academia or in a basic or applied research job. D1 has also dated a number of physics PhD post-docs. They have generally found the job market for physics PhDs to be weak.] Most physics PhDs end up either in industry–where they will be doing applications and engineering–not research–or teaching at small liberal arts colleges where doing research is not a priority. Or they end up as analysts in variety of financial services/computer consulting businesses. Or as managers in technical industries [think defense firms].</p>
<p>She says the medicine as a field of study isn’t all that intellectually exciting. Tons of memorization and not much basic, ground breaking new knowledge. However, she loves clinical work and dealing with patients. So awful material, great job.</p>
<p>~~~~</p>
<p>Shadowing a doctor will critical in helping to make up your mind. Most people have this idealized vision of what doctor does, but the day-today reality of their job is much different. D says that with a few exceptions doctors really don’t save lives–they mostly spend their time managing chronic illnesses.</p>
<p>Additionally medical schools will expect that you have done extensive physician shadowing as preparation for applying to medical school. You will need to be able to speak convincingly about why you want to be doctor in your application. And saying you want to help people just isn’t enough.</p>
<p>And remember, while it sounds romantic and grand to practice medicine in high needs overseas areas–those regions may not WANT you. Also medical licensing is complicated and most countries require physicians to retrain (complete a new medical residency) when they move from one country to another. Also, as a practical matter, med school is expensive and average loan debt of new med school grad is around $200,000-$260,000. You’re not going to be able to pay off your loans by doing volunteer service.</p>
<p>^^as a Ph.D. physicist, I can attest to the above comments to be very accurate portrayal of the physics world. When I graduated a number of years ago, the only way an academic position could be obtained was when somebody died and then they weren’t replaced. You’re pretty much stuck in industry working as an engineer. I guess if you’re really lucky, you end up on Wall Street. The comments in regards to medicine are entirely accurate also - something I know from my daughter who is a medical school student.</p>