Is it worth becoming a doctor if i have to pay for med. school or becoming an engineer with school paid for?

Take a week and spend it shadowing the people who actually do what you’re thinking of doing. Your own doctor and the career office at your university can usually help set this up for you. Don’t even go if you already know you will hate doing the job, year after year, but the money sounds good. You will be most content if you pick a profession that you can enjoy for more reasons than just financial.

Make your choice based on what it is that you really want to do. Don’t think that just because you have a Bachelor’s in Engineering that you will automatically be making 80,000 a year at the age of 22. I’ve been married to an engineer for the past 11 years. He now has his PE license and is making the big bucks, but it takes time reach that point. My sister is also married to an engineer who is in a management position, and he still doesn’t make that much, close but not quite. He is now 34. Starting pay for engineers is around 40,000, give or take a a bit depending on where you live, and then you have to work your way from there. Even doctors now struggle to make the big bucks due to the high cost of their education and the high cost of malpractice insurance. You also did not mention what aspect of engineering you will be studying? Even among each of the branches, there is a lot of various career paths. Either way, you won’t be rich overnight. Both paths take a lot of hard work and dedication.

Honestly, you need to choose the career path that you think you would enjoy doing for the longest period of time. If you think in terms of financial gain…sooner or later you will burn out and have a career change which in the long run may be more costly. I know of many people who have switched careers later in life because they found they were unhappy with the choices they had made…myself included. How much you make or how long it takes is not a good reason. Choose what you would like doing. It will be something you potential will be doing for the next 40 plus years. (And in either case you would soon have enough to pay for any loans. And, there is always the GI Bill option.) Choose wisely. Best of Luck to you!

I’ve sort of gone through this myself. My advice is to disregard the money for now. Focus on whether you’d be happier dealing with patients or happier calculating numbers.

Not sure? Try an internship in a medical facility and then one at an engineering firm – see what you like.

No internships available? Try friends, contacts, anyone who will let you observe for a day or two.

If you know what you want, you’ll find a way to make it work financially. Pay attention to your surroundings. Doors will open. Opportunities will present themselves. Look for clues to guide you through this decision.

Good luck!

I agree with guy above me. Its your choice what ever your passion is. But if you can be a doctor and save lives and make difference every day i would be a dr.!! its up to u and its a big choice. best of luck!

which path to follow is a choice only you can decide for yourself. which one do really, really deep down inside do you want to do. if you choose doctor you can always try getting grants to help you pay for your college. grants you never have to pay back. you might try going to the college you want to attend and talk to a counselor there to help you decide which way to go. good luck with your decision and with the path you choose to follow.

i recommend you don’t make life altering decisions based solely on money. but rather decide which career you are more passionate about. which one will make you happy.

find a job that you’ll enjoy, theres no point of having a job if u dont enjoy it.