Feeling regret about tunnel visioning on a career in dentistry, and overlooking others
I'm currently a junior at a state school majoring in Human Biology, and planning on applying to dental school in the summer. I have a 3.95 GPA, undergrad research, and extra-curriculars completed. Recently though, after reading stuff on this forum and others, I've been second doubting my decision to go into dentistry. I grew up with immigrant parents that constantly reminded me that education is the only way to success, and that all careers that aren't law/healthcare/engineering are unstable and you'll end up broke and unsuccessfull. I liked dentistry because it mixed healthcare and business, as well as good patient interaction,and is a great career that pays well/good work-life balance. For some reason I don't like the idea that the process is so set in stone, and then I'm "done." Finish undergrad, try to go to dental school, graduate and work, open a practice and just work in that area. I might be romanticizing business lifestyles but I envision nice suits, big offices, working with a variety of people, and there is always room to improve and new companies to work for. I had gotten accepted to UNC CH but turned it down for financial reasons, but always think about what if I had accepted and tried to get into the business school there. All this time the last 4-5 years I've just been so focused on becoming a dentist, that I didn't even consider the other options that are out there in the world. But at the same time, I still feel that dentistry is a good career and will allow me the time and money to do the other things in life that I want.
Um good for you?
Was their a question in there?
Be a dentist, why not. Good money, not a lot of stress.
Correct me if I'm wrong, here's what I took from that: You're passionate about dentistry but also interested in business...and maybe having some romanticized fomo.
Here's my two cents.
There are many ways you can get involved in business even as a full-time dentist. You can invest in companies. You can buy real estate. You can partner with someone on a side venture. Once you have money, you can do anything you want with it. If the way you earn that money is interesting and enjoyable for you then you are very fortunate. It sounds like dentistry may be that for you.
As a junior, you can easily stay the dentistry course and explore business in your free time. I'd caution against spending too much time on here and would instead encourage you to meet with people in business through your personal connections or school. Perhaps you can even find a doctor or dentist who has been around a while and ask if they have done anything else on the side. Many have.
If you have a change of heart after undergrad and want to pursue business, you can always hustle for an internship somewhere and then use business school as way to break in. If you close the door on dentistry now you will likely have a much more difficult time opening it again. Stay focused.
Thank you for the input, I definitely thought about wanting to do real estate or other ventures on the side. Especially because members of my family are all involved in small businesses. I think I was romanticizing working corporate, especially because no one in my family works a “normal” job like that. I’m more worried about how my decisions now are affecting my potential to do well earlier on. I could break into business later in life if I wanted to, but my age peers would have been in the world already and were better set up or qualified to do the work. Meanwhile once the train for dentistry leaves, its kind of gone because it’s a 4 year program that costs $250k+. Definitely need to talk to some business people to get a better idea of what it entails. Thanks again
Take this to heart. You'll run in circles comparing yourself to others.
Great response. Being a dentist would be awesome. My mom's cousin ran a small practice, and was done by 2-3pm (the 4 weekdays he worked) playing golf or doing other fun stuff.
It might take time to get there, but it seems like every established dentist around me works 30 hours per week. Lots of time for side businesses/investments.
Dentistry is on average a higher paying job with less stress and far fewer hours. Probably many people on this board would switch places with you. It's a "grass is always greener" mentality. You're romanticizing the finance lifestyle way too much.
Go find some hobbies, significant other, hit the gym... since you actually can versus us in finance.
The average dentist associate makes about $150-200k, while a practice owner can make about 200-300k. This is a very healthy salary, especially for the hours. But isn’t the ceiling for business careers much higher? An investment banker working a few years could pull numbers like this, without the 250k and 4 years of debt/school required. Progressing in business careers also makes much much more money, meanwhile you can’t really progress as a dentist other than buying more practices.
There is serious survivor's bias in the finance numbers. That is, you would have to ignore all the people the burn out, or are pushed out, as an Analyst or Associate or further. Versus, having your own dental practice is printing money that can't be automated, and is a career you could have for 50 years. Maybe I am too conservative minded but it seems worth the upfront cost compared to a PhD program or something similar.
The upside to finance is higher, sure, and the upside to being an entrepreneur is much higher than finance... it's all about your own personal risk tolerance. That being said, don't get into dentistry if you hate it because it won't be sustainable.
The business career salaries you mentioned are usually in big cities like NYC or Chicago. Remember that you can open a dental practice literally anywhere and still make good money. Investment banking salaries are usually limited to cities with HCOL.
The business lifestyle is just that .. it isn't reserved only for bankers, lawyers etc it is for anyone who has the money to get them in a position to invest and make money. If you really want to make $$$$$ set up your own clinic in Dallas and fuck banking, seriously though I have heard some plastic surgeons making 5-9 mil a year in texas whilst working 60 hours a week and investing on the side. Make your service desired + expand it to a large scale = $$$
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