Choosing between Medical school and becoming a pilot? Rough.

[RIMsky]

Hello to all,

I come back here because I need a frank word of advice. I just got a letter of approval to medical school. All my perspective about the aviation industry changed now, because I have always wanted to be a pilot, but medical school is prestigiously seen in the nowadays society. Somehow, I have the feeling that I will refuse it, and maybe do a shorter degree, such as finance or marketing. A medical degree can last about 5 to 10 years of your life, depending what path you chose. I am at a crossroads that I never though I'd ever be. What would you do in my place?

Cheers!

[Hedley]

You're kidding, right?

Go to med school! Doctors always have the best airplanes

Food for thought: in 10 years, you're going to be 10 years older.
Now, in 10 years, would you like to be a doctor or not?

[RIMsky]

You're kidding, right?

Go to med school! Doctors always have the best airplanes

Food for thought: in 10 years, you're going to be 10 years older.
Now, in 10 years, would you like to be a doctor or not?

What do you think? Do you think Doctors have the best planes because they have money? Or because due to their studies they get to pilot the best planes once they start working as a pilot? I don't think I wanna make medicine as a career, but it is an opportunity. Hard to say no to it...

[JBI]

If you don't mind me asking, which medical school were you accepted to and what country is it in?

While medicine is a prestigious degree and getting accepted into medical school in a different country is still a great accomplishment, it can be very difficult to gain accredation in Canada once you're done. Depending on the country, you may even have to spend some time in Canadian medical schools and work as a resident for a number of years.

That being said, if you would find a career in medicine interesting, I would choose that route. In Canada at least (not sure how it is in the rest of the world) most places are hurting for more doctors. You'll have a guaranteed job when you're done with a very comfortable salary. Tough to say no to that.

Both professions have their pros and cons, can be very challenging but can also be rewarding.

Finally, I'd also suggest that you check out So, You Want to be a Doctor, Eh? by Dr. Anne Berndl M.D. - It gives you a good outline of the things to consider about medical school, residency and the career and ways to make it easier. (Yes, I'm sort of advertising, but I really feel it's a great book! )

[RIMsky]

If you don't mind me asking, which medical school were you accepted to and what country is it in?

While medicine is a prestigious degree and getting accepted into medical school in a different country is still a great accomplishment, it can be very difficult to gain accredation in Canada once you're done. Depending on the country, you may even have to spend some time in Canadian medical schools and work as a resident for a number of years.

That being said, if you would find a career in medicine interesting, I would choose that route. In Canada at least (not sure how it is in the rest of the world) most places are hurting for more doctors. You'll have a guaranteed job when you're done with a very comfortable salary. Tough to say no to that.

Both professions have their pros and cons, can be very challenging but can also be rewarding.

Finally, I'd also suggest that you check out So, You Want to be a Doctor, Eh? by Dr. Anne Berndl M.D. - It gives you a good outline of the things to consider about medical school, residency and the career and ways to make it easier. (Yes, I'm sort of advertising, but I really feel it's a great book! )

I don't think that I will go that way. I think that a career in finance or business adiminstration is much closer to the day to day reality. Also, a medical career would impede my aviation career. My only worry here, is that one of them is secure while the other is not.

[. ._]

IMHO, if you love to work, be a doctor.

If you hate to work, be a pilot.

-istp

[dangerous]

After watching Gray's Anatomy I've realized that being a doctor is way to much work. I'm glad I decided to be a pilot. Go with what you're passion is. After all, you'll be spending about a third of your life at work.

[Kelowna Pilot]

If you hate to work, be a pilot.

That's right, a friend of mine works the counter at the local EI office.

She asked where all the pilots have been lately.

I said don't worry, they'll be back soon

[RIMsky]

Well, I guess I'll let time decide. I'll send my letter of temp approval and the security deposit to the University. As for the pilot scheme, 99% says I become a pilot. However, if I fail the medical, which I really hope not, then I will take the medical direction. Thank you all for your precious feedback!!!

Last but not least, I have one more question for you guys, some of you being experiences pilots, others in training. I have this feeling in my gut, where I always and always think of flying. Somehow I related everything to it, any symbol or anything that goes on about passion or dreams always leads to that powerfull ''jjjhoow'' sound in the sky everytime a plane passes by. Even right now I can feel it. I call it the jitters, where I think on and on about flying. Ok enough of my ranting. Thanks to y'all once more!

[North Shore]

RIMsky, are you kidding? Go to med school, get your MD, and then think about being a pilot... get some float experience and fly for a float operator on your holidays. Be like the ex-head of the BC Medical Association Dr. Granger Avery - lives in Port McNeill, BC, and uses a float plane to do his rounds! Go anywhere in Canada, and there's no shortage of pilots - the same can't be said of doctors. Dr'ing has to be one of the most flexible/diverse careers out there. If you graduate from a med school in North America, you'll never, ever be out of decently paid work anywhere in the world - the economy goes up, people get sick, Doctors work; the economy goes down, people get sick, Doctors work - the same cannot be said for other careers. I'm sure that somewhere along your path here on AvCanada, someone mentioned having a strong 'plan B' - Med school is about as bulletproof as it gets.

[MichaelP]

I have this very question from one of my students, a Canadian of Polish origin.
He loves to fly, but in Canada it's too frustrating.
Look at the US economy, if it goes down there will be a lot of hungry pilots in Canada!

Always follow your heart and your intuition...
If your intuition is good you'll make a good pilot or at least a safe one. Many a crash has followed "I knew it!".

My student went to Poland and is doing his medical degree... Yes it can take 5 - 10 years to become a doctor, but then for most pilots in Canada that period of time is nothing when it is applied to paying the money out to get the CPL, and then finally earning a living.
Unless you are very lucky, don't expect to earn more than paupers wages for at least ten years.
And yes, the doctors own the best aeroplanes...
Dentists have more of them however!

[Kelowna Pilot]

I think the OP should be a pilot.

His heart is clearly in it.

If you're not 1000 percent committed to medical school, you'll never make it.

However, aviation is such a fraught with peril career choice. The slightest bump in the economy and pilots are on the street.

If the economy goes to sh*te, which is looking more and more like the case, you may graduate with your CPL and your CPL flight test will be the last time you ever fly.

It's happened to a lot guys before. There is no guarantees.

So I guess the OP just has to roll the dice and hope he gets lucky. It's all about timing.

[L1011]

And yes, the doctors own the best aeroplanes...

Yep! They sure do leave the nicest holes in the ground!

[RIMsky]

I think the OP should be a pilot.

His heart is clearly in it.

If you're not 1000 percent committed to medical school, you'll never make it.

However, aviation is such a fraught with peril career choice. The slightest bump in the economy and pilots are on the street.

If the economy goes to sh*te, which is looking more and more like the case, you may graduate with your CPL and your CPL flight test will be the last time you ever fly.

It's happened to a lot guys before. There is no guarantees.

So I guess the OP just has to roll the dice and hope he gets lucky. It's all about timing.

In this case, we're back in the old sack once more. Which is to do university before flight school. Everyone keeps talking about the pilot shortage coming up. This is a very important decision. Somebody that is optimistic told me that I should do med school, have it as a degree, devote myself to it, and thereafter see if I still want to do flight school. I guess, medicine is not that bad at all. I applied in it because I always loved to care for people. Then again, the medical field is complicated as well. If you specialize in neurosurgery or cardiology, then it is highly recommended. If it is to be a general doctor, hmm, it can pass. I know a lot of people going into medschool because of their parents, and some that went, and didn't want to go at first and now thank their parents for it. I am taking everyone's advice here into consideration. It is very important to me, as every one of your words count to me.

[niko]

Rimsky,

If you are really a smart cookie, you can do both at the same. There is an AC A320 pilot who is also a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner. This proves that a determined person with some guidance can do both at the same time.

[Kelowna Pilot]

Everyone keeps talking about the pilot shortage coming up.

No, not everyone. The pilot shortage line usually comes from four camps.

1. Flying schools who need students, or who are trying to suck money out of the public purse under the pretense of a pilot shortage "crisis".
2. Flying school students who desperately want to believe there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
3. Medium level companies who are afraid that their pool of cheap labor will dry up, thus eroding their control over their employees.
4. Airline managers who don't want to wake up to the reality that experienced people don't want to pay for charts, medicals, psych evals, own transport, hotels, type ratings, you name it, all for an embarrassing wage.

I wish there was a general pilot shortage... but frankly if I had a dollar for everytime I've heard or read "the pilot shortage is right around the corner", I'd be a billionaire.

I think this sentiment has been echoed a million times before on this forum.

Besides, the Recession is basically here... in a few months it'll be back to 5000 hours to fly a 'Hoe.

[SkyWolfe]

I was in a very similiar situation... I decided to become a pilot because it's what I have always wanted to do. As great as it would be to help someone, ide always have my eyes to the sky...

I was given the suggestion of just flying for fun, sure I could afford it if I was a doctor, however, I always wanted to be a pilot as my career, and therefor, made the choice to stick with it. I know I am taking a huge pay cut, and a harder path, but it's want I want to do. You need to make the same choice. Just think. It's all up to you

[Pugster]

Either career is a tough path to get to the end goal. The only guarantee is that both will become a "job" at some point, and you'll probably regret doing whichever one you choose over the other (human nature!).

In all seriousness, I made a career switch after getting a degree and looking at masters programs...and don't regret my choice although it is definitely a tough haul for the first years. So I'd just flip a coin and call it at that, or ask your parents and close friends and see which one they think you'll like more; they'll definitely know which is a better fit for you compared to a bunch of dumbasses like me on the internet.

And if money and a quick career is the goal...be a plumber.

[......]

People become pilots because it's their passion - they don't do it for the money. Every pilot will tell you - at least from my experience - that being a pilot is the best job out there, so maybe this isn't the best place to ask. As Hedley mentioned earlier, is practicing medicine something you could imagine yourself doing 10 years from now and be content with?

[GilletteNorth]

In the movie Good Will Hunting, the principal character Will is a gifted mathematician working as a janitor at MIT. He doesn't acknowledge his gift and believes he should continue working a blue collar existence. His gift is discovered by one of the professors there and Will is encouraged to develop it further by attending college and pursuing a degree. At one point he is talking to his best friend and tell him he thinks he should stick around doing what he has been doing and being one of the guys. His friend immediately tells him that everyone around him would give their left nut for his gift and to get going and stop insulting him by saying he wanted to be 'one of the guys'.
Rimsky, you asked 'what would you do in my place'? I'd become a doctor. If I had the ability to do it, I wouldn't hesitate. Once you get your doctorate and start working you'll easily make enough money to buy your own plane and get your license and fly to your hearts content. Many people have the ability to become a pilot, few have the ability to become a doctor. I'm only disappointed by the fact you stated you wanted to become a doctor because of the prestige in doing so, rather than because you are interested in it.

[Cat Driver]

People become pilots because it's their passion - they don't do it for the money.

That is only your opinion, because I do it for the money.

[Kelowna Pilot]

People become pilots because it's their passion - they don't do it for the money.

Guy's like O'Leary at Ryanair must just giggle with glee everything they read stuff like that...

[Brize]

The doctor who did my medical in Toronto is also an A320 first officer at Air Canada. Somehow he successfully accomplished both. Maybe so can you!

[THEICEMAN]

WOW Rimsky.....Medical school! Did you get into McGill??

This is a choice your going to have deeply reflect upon. What goals do you want to set for yourself? What do you want to do? Do you really want to be a pilot or doctor....

Being a pilot is great, but it's a difficult road if your goal is to fly for the airlines! I finished my commercial & working in the arial work field.....the pay is crap & I fly airplanes that are 50+ years old. But I like it & it's building me time. It costed me 35K but so far, I don't regret it!
So long as I can make a decent salary in the long run & enjoy life in the air, I will be Ok..

Being a doctor can be extremely rewarding. One of my good friends finished med school & specializes in radiology. He spent hours & hour studying. Certain times of the year, he didn't even exist. But now he is done! If there is one thing for certain, your probably goin to make more money in the first 15 years or so.....Wages & jobs are a lot more stable in the medical field!
The population is get older, so you might have a lot of opportunity in the future.

But you have to decide, what's in your heart! Can I go through pilot training, spend $$$ & find out that it's not for me. Can I go through medical school & stay motivated trough all those years? That is for you to decide!

I was at the cross roads last year also.....My father wanted me to take over his successfull business. It's not to late for me since I am finishing my university degree. Also, if there is one thing for certain, I know that I will make a heck a lot more money running his business.
But I realised that flying is in my heart. Since I was really young, all I can think about was flying airplanes. I remember when I was 4 years old, I specifically asked my mom if my brithday cake can be in the shape of a 767 with black/white icing on top with a Delta airlines logo.

However, if I fail the medical,

Why would you sya that? If you don't have heart problems, hearing problems or vision problems that can't be corrected to 20/20, I don't see why won't get a CAT I.
Visit this site & tell me wat the number is in the circle....if you get it correct, then your colour vision is also fine for night flying.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ishihara_9.png

I recommend the following:
-go for an introduction flight at any school. It only cost a 100$ & you have the controls with an instructor for an hour.
-get a class I medical......(visit TC wesite for list of approved doctors)

I am gonna be flying all weekend......if you want, PM me & you can hop in along for the ride.

After that...best of luck & may your decision guide you towards happiness!

[......]

That is only your opinion, because I do it for the money.

...they don't necessarily do it for the money? I said that because most novice pilots don't make much, and it seems only right to assume that.