Going to medical school and becoming a doctor is a glorified and great career path. Nevertheless, it is not a career for everyone. Perhaps you are at a point where your passions and goals changed or you simply had a change of heart about going to medical school. At this point, you have to decide on an alternative and we have the top 5 alternatives to medical school.
1. Health Insurance
If you are more business-minded, you might want to consider this booming venture. Health insurance has accelerated in the past few years and becoming involved in an evolving industry can become a sustainable career. The requirements for becoming a health insurance agent differ from country to country and state to state. You will need to do some research and find out which courses to take and what experience to gain to join this industry.
2. Medical Research
If you want to be a senior medical researcher, you might need to complete your Ph.D., especially so if you want to work independently. The alternative is to be a junior medical researcher, which will still give you a good amount of experience and can become a lucrative career choice. You do not need a medical background, although it does help. A scientific background will serve you better, as this job involves a huge amount of scientific research.
3. Physician Assistant
To gain entrée into a physician assistant program, you need to have a bachelor’s degree and some experience in the medical field. A physician assistant’s scope of practice is very similar to a physician but there are some limitations. Make sure you research what physician assistants do before you decide on this career path. After this, start by analyzing physician assistant personal statements to gain an understanding of the type of students physician assistant programs are looking for. Writing a compelling physician assistant personal statement is crucial because, in this field, it is important to win the committee over. There are also many students opting for this route, so you need to be as unique and competitive as possible.
4. Teacher
There is a demand for teachers all over the world. You can use your science background to help students. There are many different routes to becoming a teacher – you can go straight for your certification or do a joint master’s program that will award you your credentials after you are done. There are many countries in need of good education, including the US. Teaching can be frustrating but you can truly change students’ lives.
5. Pharmacist
The last and final alternative to medical school is pharmacy. There are many options available to you after completing your PharmD. You can opt for retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, and even something as intense as nuclear pharmacy. A pharmacist’s job is usually less stressful than that of a medical doctor because their focus is on medications and not emergency issues. On the flip side, pharmacists have to pay exceptional attention to detail. Prescribing incorrect medication could result in suspension or even worse, death. If you are organized and particular in your work, this might be a great career path for you.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many options available outside of medical school. Not everyone wants to be a doctor, but perhaps you have a passion for science and healthcare. Do not limit yourself to what the medical field has to offer. Sometimes you have to do a bit more research and dig a little deeper until you find the perfect fit. Once you have a career path in mind, find out what the requirements are and build towards that with time. Don’t rush to choose a career – making the right choice is better than just making a choice.
Gina Devito works as a content manager and guest posting is her hobby. She is fond of writing useful and informative articles for students. Gina finds inspiration in yoga, reading, and gardening. Her life motto is “The best time for new beginnings is NOW”.
