Med vs Law vs Dent

[gibsonaxxxs]

OK, im in yr 12 and have no idea what i wanna do... (and preferences are due in soon :O)
could you guys help give me some pros/cons to each?? oh, and does anyone know where to get correct info for each, such as salaries and job availabilities?
thanks heaps

[paulsterio]

Pros and Cons? Well, there are none - it's all in the eye of the beholder.

Firstly, what makes you interested in Medicine?

Secondly, what makes you interested in Dentistry?

Thirdly, what about Law?

Answer those questions and see which you have the most interest for

Salaries? - they vary wildly, average figures are by no means accurage.

Job avaibility? - that varies too, just beacuse there's a demand now doesn't mean there will be 10 years down the track, just look at IT, remember the big IT boom? It was one of the most highly demanded jobs, now? Not so.

[iamtom]

Pros and Cons? Well, there are none - it's all in the eye of the beholder.

Firstly, what makes you interested in Medicine?

Secondly, what makes you interested in Dentistry?

Thirdly, what about Law?

Answer those questions and see which you have the most interest for

Salaries? - they vary wildly, average figures are by no means accurage.

Job avaibility? - that varies too, just beacuse there's a demand now doesn't mean there will be 10 years down the track, just look at IT, remember the big IT boom? It was one of the most highly demanded jobs, now? Not so.

I want to point out that software engineers/computer scientists are some of the most sought-after people (assuming they're DECENT) at the moment. While IT staff (network monkeys, sysadmins, yaddayadda) aren't in general high demand any more, that doesn't mean all areas of IT are not some of the most highly demanded jobs nowadays. There's a reason software engineers are being offered ridiculous perks and pay packages - because there's a shortage of quality people who know what they're doing.

[paulsterio]

I want to point out that software engineers/computer scientists are some of the most sought-after people (assuming they're DECENT) at the moment. While IT staff (network monkeys, sysadmins, yaddayadda) aren't in general high demand any more, that doesn't mean all areas of IT are not some of the most highly demanded jobs nowadays. There's a reason software engineers are being offered ridiculous perks and pay packages - because there's a shortage of quality people who know what they're doing.

It was just an example, but in general, it was easier to find a job in IT back in the boom than it is nowadays, you're right, there are a few areas which are still in high demand, but the competition is a lot tougher than it was back then.

[pi]

Med/dent and law are COMPLETELY different, so have a good think about why you want each one before just putting them after each other in the VTAC prefs (remember, TV is totally wrong for both occupations).

Which one do YOU enjoy more?

[ninwa]

Have a read of this Law FAQ

[MJRomeo81]

I want to point out that software engineers/computer scientists are some of the most sought-after people (assuming they're DECENT) at the moment. While IT staff (network monkeys, sysadmins, yaddayadda) aren't in general high demand any more, that doesn't mean all areas of IT are not some of the most highly demanded jobs nowadays. There's a reason software engineers are being offered ridiculous perks and pay packages - because there's a shortage of quality people who know what they're doing.

That's what the Universities want you to believe.

This might be a little off topic but even with programming, don't think it's easy to walk straight through the door. To an employer, a network engineer may be more valuable than a programmer in the long term due to knowing the ins and outs of the system. But the programmer is likely to find a job before a grad who is after a good networking job. I have to agree with Paul here. It is ridiculously hard to find any job in IT these days. Go on whirlpool forums and read about guys who graduated top of their class and how they can't get gigs on the fucking helldesk. 

Anyway back on topic, OP go and study what you're interested in. Despite everything I said about IT, I'm still studying it because I love it. Get on a uni's handbook and search a particular course. Look at the subjects they do and read about the descriptions. See what interests you. And don't think about the $$$ because nothing is guaranteed.

[ninwa]

And please don't put down law because you think you're "wasting your ATAR" if you don't

Fuck what your parents want, fuck the "prestige" crap, this is the next 5-7 years of your LIFE you're potentially screwing up by putting yourself in a course you hate because of you and/or your parents' pride

I apologise if that's not actually the case but it's very rare that someone will put down this combination of courses without one of those factors being in play (pride/ego, parents etc)

Sincerely, someone who made that mistake 5 years ago

[paulsterio]

Ninwa, are you saying that you really didn't want to do law, but did it because of other factors (like those you talked about - pride/ego, parents...etc.)?

Just curious

[ninwa]

I thought I made it clear with this:

Sincerely, someone who made that mistake 5 years ago

[paulsterio]

Hahah, I meant more of like, what's it like 4-5 years down the track, do you sorta just accept it and keep on going with life, or do you kinda always have that dream of doing what you really wanted to do still?

[ninwa]

I accept it as a consequence of my shitty decisions. I'm a year away from graduating so there's no point switching courses now.

It is always good to have dreams, mine have just changed now from what they were 5 years ago

edit: let's keep this on topic

[gibsonaxxxs]

thanks, guys
ninwa, i really have no idea of what i want to do. i guess i have other dreams, stuff that needs money to fund. but in terms of uni stuff, i like the idea of medicine because i wanna become an oncologist to really help people (how cliched), but hate the idea of studying so long. i like the idea of law because it's a commercial place, and thus i have heaps of people to talk to when i get bored, and then perhaps becoming a barrister and actually fighting in court, and the fact that you study less, but don't like the idea of reading so much, and not having things black/white. dentistry, i'll admit, is for the money to fund my other dreams, but that's pretty much out of the question now
so yeah, it sucks when your real passions lie outside any 'proper' or 'safe' career pathway.

[paulsterio]

Well the end question is whether you're happy being a doctor, a dentist or a lawyer for the rest of your life.

[BoredSatan]

dent is the best.. not biased at all