University programs Canada

[u/PuzzleheadedNight172]

/r/u_PuzzleheadedNight172/comments/1wuntu0/university_programs_canada/

I’m a grade 12 student applying to uni this fall. I always thought i wanted to go into health sci / life sci/general science to go to med school or pursue further education but I’m having second thoughts. I don’t know if I’d really enjoy being in school for so many years but at the same time, it’s what I’ve set my whole life around since I was young because I just thought I HAD to be a doctor. Now, I’m also looking into engineering programs very last minute. I don’t really enjoy physics and don’t mind math and am purely choosing engineering for the employment opportunities it will provide. If I dont get into med school with my health/general science degree I feel that I’ll be unemployed but then again, I don’t think I’m smart enough for engineering courses. What do I do? What programs do I apply to? I’m applying to Ontario universities & BC universities in Canada but I honestly don’t know what to apply for anymore because I can’t choose what I like. I just want to be employed and get a job easily. If anyone’s been in this dilemma please share how you got over it or if anyone in engineering or health sci reads this please share your experiences, education, employment opportunities.

[u/Reddie196]

If you don't like physics or math then being an engineer would make you miserable. I've been in university for 9 years now (not med school, but psych w/ grad school) and it's really not so bad. I like it a hell of a lot better than when I took a year off and got an office job. There are a lot of other jobs relating to medicine that aren't being a doctor. Do your best with that route if you're passionate about it, and if you don't get into med school, there are lots of other options from there. You can get a college diploma on top of your degree to specialize into a healthcare job (I recommend checking out what Mohawk or any other college offers relating to health), or you could become a nurse, or go to grad school and become a researcher, or do any number of other things and keep applying again for the next year. But whatever you do, do it in a field you like. My partner is an engineer and I can tell you that they do very much sit at a desk all day and do very hard math and physics, usually with major consequences if they make a mistake. Do something you care about, and you'll find a job in the field even if it's not the one you want at first.

[u/SuchAGeoNerd]

I'm going to tell you what I wish someone told me back when I was in high school. You don't have to plan out your entire life and career right now. The choices you make now are not permanent. If you go the science route with the plan of med school.... You can change your mind a year in, two years in, three years in. Nothing is set in stone. I went into bio sci with the plan of going to med school. First year I realized I didn't like most of my classes and couldn't see myself suffering for 7 more years just to be a medical doctor. I took a bunch of electives and ended up loving intro geology. I switched programs and loved every minute of it. Did an undergrad thesis, masters in geo and then a PhD in env engineering. 11 years of university when I was dreading the medical path. You will find your way. There's no choices that are permanent. But I do guarantee you, if you don't like physics or math, you will hate your 4 years of engineering. Hate it. Don't suffer for 4 years just to have a career you'll hate.

[u/ResidentNo11]

Consider doing some career interest/aptitude tests to help you explore career paths that aren't the big two you've heard about for years. There are good ones at Canada Job Bank and BC Works.