I’m a 17 year old junior in high school, MN. Interested in science and math, I’m trying to figure out what occupation I wish to pursue after college. I like all science courses, physics, biology, and chemistry but am not sure which one I’d like to major in. There are basically 3 jobs I’m interested in: doctor, engineer, or a physicist. I’d like to be a pediatric doctor (pediatrician), aerospace engineer, and I’m not sure what physicist.
Pros for doctor:
- Help other people
- Respect
- A lot of money
Cons:
- 8 years of school plus 3 years residency
- Pre-med courses are very hard to get a high GPA
- Have to take the MCAT
- High demand, but competitive field
- 75% of people taking the MCAT never enter Medical School
Engineering:
Pros:
- Fun because always working with other workers
- Pretty good money (often takes a few years to make a lot more money)
- 4 years for degree, but more for phd, masters, more schooling
- High demand
Cons:
- Have to work your way up to make a lot of money
- Don’t help people as much as doctors
I’m scared of going pre-med for 2-3 years and dropping out because of rigor or even after taking the MCAT and not being able to go to medical school.
Is it possible that I get an engineering degree after four years while taking the pre med courses required for medical school? Then, if I don’t get into a good medical school, I can become an engineer. If this is possible, then would I have to choose an engineer related to bio or chem, or would I be able to choose an engineering field with physics (aerospace engineering)?
Is this true for becoming a physicist? Instead of an engineering degree, can I study to be a physicist, and then go to med school if I want to? How does college work for physicists?