VCE Year 12 Class of 2015

[Swagadaktal]

You guys overestimate the money (and ease of getting it) in medicine these days If you want big money, try your luck at gambling, stocks, or marrying someone famous.

As for neurosurgery, about half of med school wannabees want to do something like that, plus a bit of charity work in Africa, plus restoring vision of blind kids, plus some other godly achievement. After med school most are happy to be GPs Early days for you guys yet.

w8 i thought there were plenty of opportunities for doing charity work and stuff like that, such as MSF (DWB).. surely a lot of the doctors (trainees) go on those expeditions?

[pi]

w8 i thought there were plenty of opportunities for doing charity work and stuff like that, such as MSF (DWB).. surely a lot of the doctors (trainees) go on those expeditions?

Sure, there are those opportunities. But there aren't that many doctors that do that stuff, definitely not as many as you'd think, anyway. And now there's the issue of safety overseas, which you have probably noticed in the news.

Often those doctors aren't the ones driving fancy cars and living in mansions either, it's rare to have both big $$$ and have time for a lot of philanthropy. Having said that, there are many famous (and presumably wealthy) doctors who manage both, but getting to that level of seniority and experience is getting tougher and tougher every year. If you look at someone such as Associate Professor Kate Drummond who I know does a lot of work with Specialists Without Borders, it's very very difficult for someone coming through the ranks to do what she manages to do (full credit to her for being awesome!), let alone even become a neurosurgeon due to the training bottleneck in pretty much ALL specialties (even GPs and psychiatrists!).

If I were a year 11/12 wanting to do medicine, I'd do some serious reading about the job prospects of what you're getting yourself into. I wouldn't rely on what your parents or relatives say if they've been doctors for many years, despite what they may say, it was easier to get 'somewhere' back then. Hence, if you're in it for money, look elsewhere; if you're in it for "power", look elsewhere. You really need to want to do it.

[Orb]

Sure, there are those opportunities. But there aren't that many doctors that do that stuff, definitely not as many as you'd think, anyway. And now there's the issue of safety overseas, which you have probably noticed in the news.

Often those doctors aren't the ones driving fancy cars and living in mansions either, it's rare to have both big $$$ and have time for a lot of philanthropy. Having said that, there are many famous (and presumably wealthy) doctors who manage both, but getting to that level of seniority and experience is getting tougher and tougher every year. If you look at someone such as Associate Professor Kate Drummond who I know does a lot of work with Specialists Without Borders, it's very very difficult for someone coming through the ranks to do what she manages to do (full credit to her for being awesome!), let alone even become a neurosurgeon due to the training bottleneck in pretty much ALL specialties (even GPs and psychiatrists!).

If I were a year 11/12 wanting to do medicine, I'd do some serious reading about the job prospects of what you're getting yourself into. I wouldn't rely on what your parents or relatives say if they've been doctors for many years, despite what they may say, it was easier to get 'somewhere' back then. Hence, if you're in it for money, look elsewhere; if you're in it for "power", look elsewhere. You really need to want to do it.

Job security though? I heard that you're pretty much guaranteed a job after graduation if you don't mind going rural

[pi]

Job security though? I heard that you're pretty much guaranteed a job after graduation if you don't mind going rural

Internship? Sure, although I'm hearing that domestic graduates in South Australia are missing out this year, which is a worry. But that's only one year, hardly a career.

After internship? Not so sure. The problem is that there are too many medical graduates (cheers to all these silly graduate-entry programs!) and not enough training positions. There are barely enough internships, there aren't enough specialty training positions, and there are definitely aren't enough consultant positions. This leaves (or will leave) a lot of doctors going no-where in terms of their career, they'll be stuck in a loop of training for a long time. Many people in that situation have typically "fallen back" (somewhat arrogantly?) on the option of being a GP if their dreams didn't work out, but even GP training is becoming saturated now so that's not even a great option.

Going rural is one solution, but you need people to train you as you go in these rural areas. The infrastructure (broadly speaking) just isn't all there right now to make that a viable (let alone the attractiveness of the option) option for many.

As someone nearing graduation in a couple of years, the situation frightens me. And anyone in school right now wanting to pursue medicine should also be scared, as things are only going to get worse unless the Govt and Colleges find a solution.

[thaaanyan]

Are the job opportunities for JD graduates and LLB graduates the same? I've heard that people don't hire JDs because the hiring person may most likely have an LLB, and not want to hire someone 'better' than them. Apparently this is the same for all Masters vs Bachelors.

I'm not sure...can someone explain this to me?

I have never heard of this at all!! I don't think employers think like that all, like if i had more qualification it wouldn't change that i'm their subordinate. Maybe someone who has a job/is an employer can confirm??

What about you, what do you plan to do in the future?

I want to be a teacher, but I don't think I want to do it at high school or primary school level. I'm interested in law and advocacy as well, because my mum works in the Red Cross and instilled that kind of passion in me. I want to join your hospital too!! I can help with policy making! Mc47 can be our finance guy. Pi can be a doctor. Full set of staff here (for 50 years in the future haha)

becoming Hokage

I almost missed this haha. Flawless sass splash-tackle-flail.

[Muchos Help]

If appears that many fields are becoming or are already over saturated unfortunately, having tertiary education subsidised by the government may contribute to this by almost suggesting most students should go in to uni after high school.

If Australia's predicted recession and oversupply of graduates hits the hardest at the same time, it will be brutal.

[strawberries]

Am I like the only one who has no idea at all (in which career field) they want to go to in life?
Heck, I STILL don't know exactly which degree I want to do at uni, although I'm thinking something broad like arts or science, maybe commerce, and if I want I'll do postgrad in whatever I want.
My first 3 preferences are like comm/arts, sci/arts and arts at monash.

Many jobs/careers have an oversupply of workers nowadays and it seems impossible (really hard) to get a job anywhere no matter how qualified.
And there are some jobs/careers which are actually in high demand I'm simply not interested in at all.

[TheAspiringDoc]

If you're being serious, of course!

I dont have many names right now but 'cosine', but thats not too medical... haha... Long way to go though, so many things ahead of us that are more important to accomplish to lead to the dream!

What about you, what do you plan to do in the future?

Save me a spot if you've got anything oncology related planned

[S33667]

Am I like the only one who has no idea at all (in which career field) they want to go to in life?

No, like you, I only have a vague idea about what I may like to do in the future but I'm not concerned.   If anything I'm excited that my future is not planned out.   I believe learning is a life long process and spending the next year or two trying to work out my niche doesn't concern me in the slightest.

I know I don't want to do medicine or law so I'm fortunate that I have no ATAR stress.  I'm treating next year (and perhaps the year after) as a sampler of what I think I may like to do.   I'd rather waste a year or two now than spend a lifetime in a career that makes me miserable.

[Swagadaktal]

Sure, there are those opportunities. But there aren't that many doctors that do that stuff, definitely not as many as you'd think, anyway. And now there's the issue of safety overseas, which you have probably noticed in the news.

Often those doctors aren't the ones driving fancy cars and living in mansions either, it's rare to have both big $$$ and have time for a lot of philanthropy. Having said that, there are many famous (and presumably wealthy) doctors who manage both, but getting to that level of seniority and experience is getting tougher and tougher every year. If you look at someone such as Associate Professor Kate Drummond who I know does a lot of work with Specialists Without Borders, it's very very difficult for someone coming through the ranks to do what she manages to do (full credit to her for being awesome!), let alone even become a neurosurgeon due to the training bottleneck in pretty much ALL specialties (even GPs and psychiatrists!).

If I were a year 11/12 wanting to do medicine, I'd do some serious reading about the job prospects of what you're getting yourself into. I wouldn't rely on what your parents or relatives say if they've been doctors for many years, despite what they may say, it was easier to get 'somewhere' back then. Hence, if you're in it for money, look elsewhere; if you're in it for "power", look elsewhere. You really need to want to do it.

hm I meant that doctors would spend a couple of weeks or a month every year -- not full on Fred Hollows - i spend every other cent  on charities kind of person, but rather doing some charity work occasionally - but often enough so that your work isnt redundant 

[warya]

I had work experience at a hospital for four days, an anaethesist registrar sat me down and said 'why don't you study something that will make you money' haha
A lot of the consultants advised me to study dentistry instead...
 

[Swagadaktal]

I had work experience at a hospital for four days, an anaethesist registrar sat me down and said 'why don't you study something that will make you money' haha
A lot of the consultants advised me to study dentistry instead...
 

Aha, still in school so I wouldn't know, but if you're going to study medicine just for the $$, I don't think it would be recommended, it takes a certain character, commitment and drive to take part in a career such as medicine. I think it all comes down to the person - but  even if you were in it just for the mullah, i think there are pathways which are known to be filled with cash, such as Gynecology, but that's when a whole other section comes to play, where its job satisfaction/fulfillment vs $$ 

[pi]

The dentistry job market isn't great either. As I said, if you really want money, look away from being a health professional.

[warya]

The dentistry job market isn't great either. As I said, if you really want money, look away from being a health professional.

Yeah I know this, it's a point the doctors really tried to emphasise to me.

[Orson]

If you're being serious, of course!

I dont have many names right now but 'cosine', but thats not too medical... haha... Long way to go though, so many things ahead of us that are more important to accomplish to lead to the dream!

What about you, what do you plan to do in the future?

Hey man. If you need an Engineer, Commerce graduate, Architect or Lawyer, i may be able to help you...