A question for my Tumblr friends …

Let’s assume you are remotely interested in science.  That’s why you are following me, right? :)

There’s lots of different ways that people can engage with science in their lives.  Some people read about it, some people watch sci-fi shows or movies, some read comic books, some take extra classes in school.  But very few people know a scientist, and still fewer ever enter a scientific profession.

Those who do enter a scientific profession often think that medicine is the natural way to go.  Maybe that’s because medical doctors are the closest that most people ever get to a scientist.  Medical folk use science in their jobs, but not in the same way that researchers and the people around them do. 

People like me, PhD-type scientists who read, write and perform scientific research all day long … well, the world needs more of us.  Each nation needs expertly trained scientists to stay competitive, especially the US.

Here’s my question, and I’d love to know what you think:  Why do so many young people turn automatically to pre-med as an outlet for an interest in science?  I think being a doctor is a great job, and you should go for it if that’s what you love.  But do people just pick it by default?

Is it because of money?  Is it because you don’t know much about what scientists really do for a living?  Or do you just think you aren’t very good at it?

50 Notes/ Hide

  1. fallinginloveonarainyday answered: money is definitely an issue at least from where I came from but another reason is they don’t want to be in school for another decade or so
  2. rationaljimmy answered: No, it’s because of huge variety of professions(niches) like genetic engeneering and so on…
  3. hupf answered: I don’t know. Probably because of the money. I’m majoring in Geology because I love it.
  4. pixiesuicide answered: I think it’s simply because people are looking for a way to let income trickle in, and that’s the most easy way to earning a living.
  5. selloutsamizdat answered: It’s because of culture. Medicine is viewed as a prestigious profession.
  6. 011235813213455 answered: I’m on my pre-med and I’m planning to take medicine. But after that, I would also like to earn a Ph.D. Why choose 1 if you could have both?:)
  7. steelslash answered: I considered being a doctor something to be proud of,you know being able to help the ill. Also having Dr. in your name. Ha.
  8. obsessedindifference answered: Isn’t it harder to get into medicine than other science studies? I’m talking abt uni. So I think mr ppl opt for biochemistry or engineering.
  9. thediaryofserinalightning answered: I think people turn to medicine because it almost secures you a career. Also, they do it to please their parents.
  10. myownism answered: i have the same question. seems like EVERYONE in my lectures is PREMED. professors even think so since they gear lectures around this idea.
  11. unicornresourcelocator answered: I really think everyone picks it due to the allure of high income or just by default. I’m research bound and excited for it. That’s my story.
  12. amcoro said: I’m a laboratory scientist (MLT here in Canada). I think the reason people default to doctor is because that is all they know. I didn’t even know my profession existed until I came upon it by accident during my senior year in high school.
  13. russellrouser answered: I think the medicine thing is about being able to say, “I’m a doctor.” Also, it’s very cut-and-dried exactly how you are helping people…
  14. holli216 said: the money in the main reason. some people do it with a real passion to help people but i dont know how an MD would do that unless they are the kind that travels to africa because the ones here are drug happy. im studying science myself, to be an RD
  15. holli216 answered: the money in the main reason. some people do it with a real passion to help people but i dont know how an MD would do that unless they are
  16. traewolf answered: I think it depends on what their advisors tell them what they can get done in a certain amount of time. And maybe lack of jobs else where
  17. gogeyi answered: I think money, prestige and the obvious, seemingly “positive” impacts doctors can have on people’s lives.
  18. kirski answered: Maybe money. There’s also a certain “sexy” allure that MDs have in society, that PhD types can’t compare with, as they’re labelled as nerds.
  19. kristinasaur answered: Being a current undergrad research bio major, people I know are premed primarily because they are ignorant of the many choices of professions
  20. laquimeralinda answered: Perhaps people opt for a medical career b/c it has more interaction with multitudes of people? Lab work can be daunting in its independence.
  21. pink-flavor answered: I wanted to be a scientist, but I don’t know quit as well what they do, and don’t know what university to do to become a scientist.
  22. mrherriot answered: not really sure what scientists do. from a veterinarian who always had an interest in science but wasn’t sure how to focus that interest.
  23. naointeressaagora answered: i’m not american, but i think it’s universal. good students go to medicine, law or architeture. a different career path means failure.
  24. boomingby answered: People I know who are 19-25 say they want to be doctors to help people, 2nd response is money. Boyfriend studies neurosci outta love
  25. missscapegoat answered: More or less prpobably because of money. I practice alternative medicine not for the money, instead because I’m passionate about it.
  26. dionmg answered: I would say one reason is the money, and I’m not saying other scientists don’t make good money but being a Doctor has been ‘mainstreamed’
  27. wonderfullychaotic answered: I would say in general, money and job opportunities. Personally, to make people happier and healthier :-)
  28. blendedpaths answered: I don’t know! I studied psychology and computer science in college because I was interested in AI and in the science of the human mind.
  29. j-devine answered: Well, I’m not pre-med, I want to do research. But most of the people I know who are pre-med want the money/respect.
  30. descafeinao answered: fuck med! physics is the way to go!
  31. joebbathehut answered: I want to major in biology but a doctor is one of my last choices, however I would do it if I had to. If I had to guess I would say money.
  32. sandwichesandpie answered: 1. Prestige; 2. Visibility; 3. Parental pressure; 4. Television makes it look glamorous.
  33. rien0 answered: I was a biology major, and I was doing it just to be a doctor. I think it’s honestly just because it seems the logical way to go.
  34. insensibilidad answered: I’d say money, and as you mentioned it’s the ‘accessible’ thing. Also it’s a more social thing compared to other sciences.
  35. kissmyabyss answered: I’m constantly fascinated in the things we discover everyday :)
  36. falxcerebelli answered: yeah, some are on it for the money and only for the money, some don’t even like being stuck in a lab doing research…
  37. flyinghighh answered: It’s kind of the asian parent rule: Lawyer, Doctor, Real Estate Agent, Accountant or some other type of job that reaps in money. Idk, XD
  38. reversecentaur answered: i just always figured that everyone wanted to be a lab scientist, so there would be little demand for them. i’m also really not very patient.
  39. jtotheizzoe posted this

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