Ask HN: Studying medicine, would like to move out of the field

by snikis on 4/26/2017, 6:50:01 PM with 2 comments
I am currently a fifth year medical student in Europe, working part time at a lab on cell morphology, teaching biology to high school students and freelancing doing data science in my spare time. My study record so far is great and my supervisors and I have published two papers. Doing research is enjoyable and my current supervisor is willing to strongly recommend me as a candidate for a PhD position. Of course, he would also like me to stay at the current lab.

Lately I have been thinking about alternatives to residency or a PhD program. Even though I could be a doctor, I find research and problem solving more satisfying. Yet a PhD as well as a career in academia does not seem to be financially sustainable in the long-run. Even worse, in my country research‘s just outright bureaucratic.

Since discovering and creating new things motivates me, I have been considering that a startup could be possible. I see multiple problems in medicine that I feel could be solved and I guess that could be a start? Also, working with R is satisfying and I have been considering about becoming a data scientist.

My question is: what other options could I explore after my master‘s? Has anyone else shifted out of medicine after finishing medschool? What did you do?

Thanks!

  • by throwaway_374 on 4/26/2017, 7:26:59 PM

    Have you considered strategic/management consulting in the medical field. I know the big 4 will have specialists focusing on this - possibly related to the healthcare setup in your country - along with niche boutiques. I can't vouch for how much this would just involve powerpoint and Excel modelling bullshit in suits versus R analysis but I imagine data science skills would be extremely valuable. Also health policy if you are interested in the political side of things.

  • by tim333 on 4/29/2017, 5:33:34 AM

    How about work in big pharma for 3 years then try to leave a do a startup when you have training, knowledge, some cash and the like?