2 answers
Ebrahim
Student
2
Questions
2 answers
Jason Windish
maintenance mechanic
31
Answers
Newington, Connecticut
Updated
Jason’s Answer
depends on what you mean by better? better pay? better hours? better work environment? you also gotta remember there are many different types of doctors. a foot doctor is not a surgeon, a surgeon is not a psychiatrist. Becoming an M.D. is probably one of the hardest and longest academic wise. i know quite a few people that are PHd's but not M.D.'s. It's all about what your passionate about and what comes naturally to you. that should be your ultimate decision on what path to take.
Karin P.
Lecturer
376
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Ebrahim,
I don't think it's about what is "better". It should be about what is better for YOU! What are YOU best suited for, and what will YOU enjoy doing in your job.
I think medicine and engineering need quite different mindsets. Not everyone's brain works the same way. So, why do you want to be a doctor? Or why do you wany to be an engineer?
You said you liked physics. That would point more towards engineering.
In medicine you have more biology and chemistry plus all the anatomy and physiology and pharmacy.
To be a good doctor, you should really like people and helping them on what is quite possibly the worst day of their life. Engineering is more "normal", less "hectic" and has for most more normal work days.
You could also look at the length and cost of the education. For medicine, you will be in school for 12 to 18 years. For engineering, you can get your bachelors and you will be employable in industry. That's a huge difference.
And if you want the title of Dr., you can get a doctor of engineering as well!
You could also study engineering and then develop diagnostic techniques and instruments for hopitals. Things like imaging techniques or sensors. Doctors are not the only ones needed to help sick people.
I would recommend that you do some soul searching and some internships, or job shadowing so you get some experiences what these jobs entail. And think about what you are really good and passionate about.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
I don't think it's about what is "better". It should be about what is better for YOU! What are YOU best suited for, and what will YOU enjoy doing in your job.
I think medicine and engineering need quite different mindsets. Not everyone's brain works the same way. So, why do you want to be a doctor? Or why do you wany to be an engineer?
You said you liked physics. That would point more towards engineering.
In medicine you have more biology and chemistry plus all the anatomy and physiology and pharmacy.
To be a good doctor, you should really like people and helping them on what is quite possibly the worst day of their life. Engineering is more "normal", less "hectic" and has for most more normal work days.
You could also look at the length and cost of the education. For medicine, you will be in school for 12 to 18 years. For engineering, you can get your bachelors and you will be employable in industry. That's a huge difference.
And if you want the title of Dr., you can get a doctor of engineering as well!
You could also study engineering and then develop diagnostic techniques and instruments for hopitals. Things like imaging techniques or sensors. Doctors are not the only ones needed to help sick people.
I would recommend that you do some soul searching and some internships, or job shadowing so you get some experiences what these jobs entail. And think about what you are really good and passionate about.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
Karin gave a great answer. It is about what is the best fit for you. But you can do both. As an undergrad, you do not major in medicine. PreMed can be any degree. So you can get a BS in engineering and apply to med school as an option. I work in the medical device field and we have staff members that are doctors. They are invaluable about letting us know about the needs of the surgeon.
Glenn A
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