Career Decision!
Hi all,
I'm new to these forums. I need some career advice. I'm not what you would call a typical business student (I'm not one at all actually). I've currently been accepted into dentistry for September, but I have also applied to the Richard Ivey School of Business for their HBA program. From what I understand, Ivey has a good number of banks come to recruit there, GS, MS, JP, UBS, RBC. The HBA program would take me another 2 years to complete if accepted (I hopefully should have the grades for it). Dentistry would be 4 years, but Dental school would also cost significantly more (around 350K). I have always wanted to pursue business and pursue investment banking. I have spoken to others about this, including my sister who is an HBS alum (not in IB). They are all adamant that dentistry is the better option: better lifestyle, good money (not IB money though). What are your general thoughts on this? I think the IB path would be great, but obviously its not all glory, and its not a guarantee either. The way I see it, the worst case scenario is that I attend the HBA program for 2 yrs, and if I don't like it, or am unable to land IB, I can always do dentistry thereafter. Note: I have already completed by BSc. in Medical Sciences.
Thanks!
its not for everyone. be a dentist
Why not try out this route first? Dentistry is my back up, I am not passionate about that, nor have I wanted it for long. I feel that I should at least pursue this rather than having regrets later on. I understand that its not for everyone, but I would at least like to see if I am.
Any advice from some older IB folk who can give a little bit more insight?
These are two completely different fields and it sounds like you've already spoken with people who've given you an idea of the industry. Now you need to choose.
Going from dentistry to IBD or IBD to dentistry both seem unrealistic... there's no magic formula, its a personal decision.
Thank you. Yeah, I understand that there's no going back. I think I will try out Ivey HBA and work towards IB. If I'm not able to land IB or realize that dentistry is a better path for me, then I will do dentistry in two years. Dentistry will always be there later on.
I'd like to note that if you don't really want to be a dentist, it might be hard to get through 80 hr weeks in school. Dentistry has to be your life for 4 years. After that, hours are nice after practice is established (~35 hrs).
IMO you must have done dentist shadowing, so you have a good idea of what it's like. Light workload (35 hrs, 4 days a week), hard work, you get to be your boss, you need business sense, you have perfect job security. Like any job, it is what you make of it. You will lead a comfortable lifestyle. Many dentists continue to work part-time after retiring. Personally I think it's great for a family guy who wants to settle down and live in one place for the rest of his life. If that's not you, dentistry will be tough.
IDB will be hell but more $$s. You will probably burn out and end up in a corporate role. If you can get in, which is very tough anyway.
Dentist. Consistent comfortable income, live where ever you desire, work to live not live to work. work for yourself...
If you do oral surgery(also requires M.D ) or ortho you can easily top half a mil per yr or more. In the end, its what you imagine yourself doing day in day out till you get old.
Thanks. Anyone else have any more comments?
Have two Dentist family members, and couple more in the pipeline. Best lifestyle/income out of any professions. Period.
With IB the potential is there, but risk is just that much higher. Going back to Dental school after two years, you never know how that will play out. You might have to take care of other things (i.e. family), school can get competitive. If you don't get first time, another year wasted. Not to mention, you won't have enough time to put in a good application in few schools, etc. Go with the safer what you have than bunch of what ifs.
Not to be rude to any of you, but all of you have said to pursue dentistry, why are all of you in investment banking then? Just curious.
currently deciding between medicine and S&T (just in undergrad). I think you were very correct when saying dentistry will always be there. The business education can't hurt, even if you are running your own practice. I say go to business school and defer dentistry for two years if possible. -Say you want a business background to help you run your practice or some bs. -then once your in school make sure you work pt in an internship to get as much industry experience as possible
looks like you truly are confused, 87.
Most people choose between banking and consulting, or dentistry and medical. I highly doubt that you will be able to jump between industries, so it should be a one way decision. Dentistry does allow for a business side, interacting with clients and building a business practice tho.
Thank for the posts guys. Some clarification: I'm not looking to jump between the two. I want to pick one, and I think I will pick the business route. If I am unable to land an IB or consulting job, then I will do dental school in two years. IB and consulting are the only fields that I am interested in, so if I am able to land those gigs, then I will stick it through.
I'm pretty sure that it will be very difficult to get IB without internship experience. If you really want it, you could probably get it, but I think that the two year delay and $$ cost isn't worth it. I would go with dental school IMO. Pay off your debts quickly, choose your location wisely, and you will have more than enough money while working 30 hrs.
Ivey school of business has on campus recruiting for summer internships. So I would essentially have to land a summer internship after my first year, 96% of the people in the program landed summer internships last year, and the cost is very little bc I would get financial aid, so I would only be picking up at most 30K of debt. Whereas dental school would be 350K of debt, so around 2500-3000 a month for the next 25 yrs after dental school. Dentists start at around 120K, but on average make 200K. after factoring in taxes and debt payment, you are not left with much going the dentistry route, and in most major metropolis cities the field is very saturated.
Thanks all for the opinions though!
Bump, anyone else?
Pretty clear that you have your mind made up, Not sure why you are still looking for help.
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