If you have dreams of pursuing a career in medicine, there are several routes you can take. One such option is to attend medical school after you finish your undergraduate degree. Even though med school has a reputation for having an intensive course load and demanding schedule, it also helps you land a highly respected and rewarding career. If you’re still weighing your options, here are some reasons you might consider medical school as a next step.
Improving the Lives of Others
As a doctor of medicine, you’re in the business of helping people, which can feel extremely rewarding. Though many people enter their careers with the pursuit to “help people,” being a licensed physician means you’ll be able to make a tangible difference in the lives and health of others.
While attending medical school, you can feel encouraged to get through the tough days, knowing that you’ll be able to use the knowledge and training gained during your intensive schooling to benefit your future patients.
High Paying Career Field
Attending medical school is also beneficial from a financial perspective. Money shouldn’t be the only reason you decide to go to medical school, though it is an added incentive.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), college graduates with only a bachelor’s degree have median weekly earnings of $1,541. This compares to the median pay for physicians and surgeons, which is $4,600 per week.
While completing any type of college education will increase your earnings potential, attending medical school provides even further economic advantages through higher pay over the long term, on average.
Career Flexibility
After completing medical school, you’ll have a wide range of career options available to you. As a clinician, you could work with patients in a hospital or private practice nationwide. There are also non-clinical options you might pursue, such as becoming an educator or a researcher for private labs or government agencies.
So, even if you don’t dream of providing direct patient care, getting a medical degree provides a great deal of career opportunities throughout the industry.
Intellectually Stimulating
You may want to attend medical school as a way to continue your education at the highest level. It’s some of the most rigorous training available, delving into advanced topics like pharmacology, pathology, and genetics while leveraging cutting-edge tools and the latest research.
Overall, attending medical school provides an intellectual challenge that pushes students to master complex scientific topics while sharpening their problem-solving and patient care skills.
Job Security
The good news is that doctors are in high demand, so completing medical school offers great stability as you begin your career. The U.S. BLS reports the job outlook for physicians and surgeons over the next decade as 4%, or as fast as average.
Compared to other professions, the medical field isn’t as vulnerable to economic downturns. Plus, the aging population is creating an increase in job vacancies along with a sustained demand for medical services, supporting ample opportunity in the healthcare field.
