Career Opportunities w/ MedSci (1 Viewer)

[_rakelt]

Hi everyone,

Just thinking about my future. As you guys probably figured out, I do double degree Bmedsci/Bbus. I'm interested in a career where I can analyse samples (blood/tissue etc) and diagnose a condition. I think its related to pathology, HOWEVER, I think you have to complete Medicine, and then specialise in pathology. Am I wrong?

I got this from the Royal College of Pathologists Australia on "How to become a pathologist":
https://www.rcpa.edu.au/getattachment/5f98b6c5-0688-4cc0-b82f-8058597059fb/How-to-become-a-pathologist-chart.aspx

What does it mean by a "medical degree"? As in medicine or will med science be ok?

I feel like getting into med ISNT my dream, however, I want to have a science career with a context where I can analyse pathogens/ do more about diseases. Is this more of a "medical scientist" job, rather than pathology?

What do you guys think? Thoughts?

 

[Velocifire]

Can you analyse my blood?

I wanna see what condition I have

 

[quickoats]

To put it shortly, a pathologist is a specialist doctor - you need to graduate medical school and complete your fellowship. Even though it's not a "doctory" job, sadly, you still need to be a doctor. The doctor requirement is probably more for the diagnosis, and working with hospital pharmacists, GPs, oncologists, radiologists etc to treat a patient.

A medical science degree (and a passion for it! which is often lacking in such degrees) will be able to land you jobs in research and other laboratory work. If you get a PhD or Masters, you'll probably be able to 'specialise' and become an expert or leading researcher in a small field.

 

[_rakelt]

To put it shortly, a pathologist is a specialist doctor - you need to graduate medical school and complete your fellowship. Even though it's not a "doctory" job, sadly, you still need to be a doctor. The doctor requirement is probably more for the diagnosis, and working with hospital pharmacists, GPs, oncologists, radiologists etc to treat a patient.

A medical science degree (and a passion for it! which is often lacking in such degrees) will be able to land you jobs in research and other laboratory work. If you get a PhD or Masters, you'll probably be able to 'specialise' and become an expert or leading researcher in a small field.

Thanks for the input! So you reckon with med sci I could land in a job where I could work in a laboratory as a "medical scientist" instead?

 

[quickoats]

Thanks for the input! So you reckon with med sci I could land in a job where I could work in a laboratory as a "medical scientist" instead?

Well, most people that do medsci with the pure intent of transferring into medicine complain that medsci only gives you opportunities to work in a lab (this isn't true in the slightest - there are infinite options), but I'm sure that if that's what you're keen on, you'll be able to land your preferred job!

 

[_rakelt]

Well, most people that do medsci with the pure intent of transferring into medicine complain that medsci only gives you opportunities to work in a lab (this isn't true in the slightest - there are infinite options), but I'm sure that if that's what you're keen on, you'll be able to land your preferred job!

Thanks again!!! Really appreciate it

 

[dasfas]

Medsci degrees are a bad idea. Pretty crap employability and don't boost your chances of getting into medschool.

If you want to be a haematologist, you will need to do an M.D. For that, you can do any bachelors. I'd recommend doing one in an area that can act as a back up plan in case you don't end up getting into med school/want an alternative.


Have a look at this (talks about the medsci degrees)

Common pitfalls to avoid for year 12 school leavers and other medicine applicants

Alternate title: "Ways to screw yourself over as a medical school applicant that you didn't know about" Hi everyone, As I suspect my activity on the site is likely to decrease a whole lot starting next year, I thought I would put together a whole lot of what I believe are a lot of important...

medstudentsonline.com.au

 

[_rakelt]

Medsci degrees are a bad idea. Pretty crap employability and don't boost your chances of getting into medschool.

If you want to be a haematologist, you will need to do an M.D. For that, you can do any bachelors. I'd recommend doing one in an area that can act as a back up plan in case you don't end up getting into med school/want an alternative.

I have heard alot about the lack of employment in med sci. However, I don't necessarily believe in this, as science is forever-evolving, and it seems like we still have alot to discover in the medical field. Sounds pre naive but thats why I have to disagree with you there.

About med school - I don't have any intentions to pursue med. I want to work in a clinical/laboratory background where I can just apply what I know and learn about things relating to pathogens/disease.

I did a lil research here: https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine-...careers-with-a-degree-in-medical-science.html
and some do require post-grad, but some are quite interesting and med sci seems to be sufficient.

Thanks for the opinions tho!

 

[dasfas]

I have heard alot about the lack of employment in med sci. However, I don't necessarily believe in this, as science is forever-evolving, and it seems like we still have alot of discover in the medical field. Sounds pre naive but thats why I have to disagree with you there.

About med school - I don't have any intentions to pursue med. I want to work in a clinical/laboratory background where I can just apply what I know and learn about things relating to pathogens/disease.

I did a lil research here: https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine-...careers-with-a-degree-in-medical-science.html
and some do require post-grad, but some are quite interesting and med sci seems to be sufficient.

Thanks for the opinions tho!

For the record, i'm also in the same shoes as you and I decided on doing Biomedical Engineering/Computer Science before med school.

I totally agree that science is ever evolving, BUT, no one is going to employ a bachelor of medical sciences to work in research and devleopment, you employ PhDs/MDs for that. Also, you gotta remember that unis are a business, they're there to make some money. So the link you showed me is more for advertising purposes than reality. Sure, you'll become a pathologist eventually, but not before doing a PhD/MD. Check this out from the bureau of labour statistics from the US https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm#tab-1. The pay might not be the same for Aus but the entry requirements are.

Also, with regards to PhD vs MD (not your original question but I figured I might add this as well), from the doctors i've talked to, it's much better to get an MD than a PhD because, despite taking the same time, the MDs tend to get paid more/appointed to more senior positions DESPITE being equally qualified. Plus as an MD, you get to bridge the gap between the research and the patient which would be really fulfilling.

 

[_rakelt]

For the record, i'm also in the same shoes as you and I decided on doing Biomedical Engineering/Computer Science before med school.

I totally agree that science is ever evolving, BUT, no one is going to employ a bachelor of medical sciences to work in research and devleopment, you employ PhDs/MDs for that. Also, you gotta remember that unis are a business, they're there to make some money. So the link you showed me is more for advertising purposes than reality.

Also, with regards to PhD vs MD (not your original question but I figured I might add this as well), from the doctors i've talked to, it's much better to get an MD than a PhD because, despite taking the same time, the MDs tend to get paid more/appointed to more senior positions DESPITE being equally qualified.

I definitely agree that most desirable employees require PhD/MDs for research and development - However, I REALLY think your missing my point completely and the career path I want to pursue...

I DON'T want to do research and development. I want to work in a laboratory setting where I can collect/analyse tissue and perhaps assisting those in higher professions to diagnose or help in larger-scale projects. + Yeah no doubt uni are money eaters, I've found the article quite useful in providing insight in what I may be interested in, in the long-run employment prospects, NOT the university's undergraduate/postgrad courses lolol

 

[quickoats]

and some do require post-grad, but some are quite interesting and med sci seems to be sufficient

Since you’re interested in the laboratory side of things, further education would be better i.e. Honours, Masters by research, or eventually a PhD.

I think grad lab jobs are competitive as it's really the only thing a medsci grad can do without extra training - in addition, it's a 9 to 5 job where someone can still study for the GAMSAT in order to apply to med school again. Medsci grads are reluctant to do other vocational degrees e.g. MPharm, MPhysio, MSpchPath etc, so I guess lab roles are a middle ground where they can start working, but not commit to something else so they can still work on their med application. If you have further experience in research (often at uni in your honours year/masters), you'd be gunning for perhaps a more senior role than the other medsci grads. This is not to say that you'll be guaranteed a job - not in this economy anymore , but if you present yourself well and are truly passionate about a role, you will with no doubt land one some day.

 

[_rakelt]

Since you’re interested in the laboratory side of things, further education would be better i.e. Honours, Masters by research, or eventually a PhD.

I think grad lab jobs are competitive as it's really the only thing a medsci grad can do without extra training - in addition, it's a 9 to 5 job where someone can still study for the GAMSAT in order to apply to med school again. Medsci grads are reluctant to do other vocational degrees e.g. MPharm, MPhysio, MSpchPath etc, so I guess lab roles are a middle ground where they can start working, but not commit to something else so they can still work on their med application. If you have further experience in research (often at uni in your honours year/masters), you'd be gunning for perhaps a more senior role than the other medsci grads. This is not to say that you'll be guaranteed a job - not in this economy anymore , but if you present yourself well and are truly passionate about a role, you will with no doubt land one some day.

ok thanks !

 

[quickoats]

I want to work in a laboratory setting where I can collect/analyse tissue and perhaps assisting those in higher professions to diagnose or help in larger-scale projects.

I don't want to pressure you into doing something you don't want to do, but since you're studying at university, you could consider scientist roles rather than lab assisting/lab technician roles. Assisting/technician roles only require diploma/TAFE certification so you'd be overqualified for such roles. See https://au.indeed.com/Pathology-Medical-Laboratory-Scientist-jobs?vjk=dd5e114f6cb078ae vs https://au.indeed.com/Pathology-Medical-Laboratory-Scientist-jobs?vjk=bce6d745f379b8d5

 

[_rakelt]

Pathology Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs (with Salaries) | Indeed.com Australia

Pathology Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs now available. Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Laboratory Technician and more on Indeed.com

au.indeed.com

right! I can totally see your point. Thanks for the heads up. Again, I can see that the first only required a bachelors degree, compared to bachelor+phD/masters. I mean, it can be more favourable but I think it is sufficient for a bachelors degree to do such jobs

 

[quickoats]

right! I can totally see your point. Thanks for the heads up. Again, I can see that the first only required a bachelors degree, compared to bachelor+phD/masters. I mean, it can be more favourable but I think it is sufficient for a bachelors degree to do such jobs

Just don’t feel too pressured about time and jumping straight into the workforce. If there’s just a little thing that you’re yearning to learn more about (it might not even be discovered yet!), it’s perfectly fine to do further study at uni, even if you feel like your friends are all working and graduating before you. You’ll be more likely to say “damn I wish I stayed on to do my PhD” rather than “damn I should’ve starting working 3-4 years earlier”. Also remember that you can always do postgrad a bit later, but I think honours has to be done right at the end of your bachelors (someone correct me if I’m wrong).