Let's talk work-life balance
I'm a practicing dentist who has been contemplating a career change either through applying to a MC job or going through the MBA route. I'm disheartened to say that dentistry isn't particularly the most captivating field as I once thought it was when I pursued the field, and I had always perceived the work of MCs (or business roles in tech, generally) pretty interesting.
As y'all maybe stereotype, work-life balance and compensation can be great in dentistry. I've read that WLB in MC can be pretty deteriorating, though the work is stimulating and compensation matches up. I can't say I know too much about post-MBA business roles in tech, though from my cursory glance, WLB is solid but compensation maybe not as much (especially compared to dentists or specialists).
Just hoping for fresh perspectives on the classic debate on work-life balance/compensation vs. "finding vigor in your work". Seems like at the end of the day everyone ends up prioritizing work-life balance in the end. What's your take?
No, everyone does not “end up prioritizing work-life balance in the end”.
There are big law partners in their 50s still pulling 80 hour weeks and the same exist in MBB. It is all about priorities and if WLB is a priority for you, then you should avoid client service industries (consulting, IB, law, etc).
If you are concerned at all about WLB, why single out two industries that are notorious for having the worst WLB? My friends at FAANG who are ex-MBB work a ton, albeit less than the M-Th grind they endured during consulting. Tech hours are not that great unless you’re an engineer or in some low-paying role
I appreciate your response, and that is exactly the type of perspective I was hoping to hear. Appreciate your candor.
My uncle is a dentist. at family events, he is the guy with the newest/best car, he runs his own practice, he has enough time to play golf and has a lot of other hobbies. his house is nice and his wife is 13 years younger than him. He is the last guy on earth who should make any changes
Is his job boring? possibly. Is working through emails, excel files and client decks through the night boring? yes, absolutely.
That's definitely why I'm having trouble perceiving a possible change in my career. I know life outside of work can be great (w/l balance, comp, etc.) if I stick to dentistry - it's just hard when I don't find it particularly invigorating at all. But perhaps when I'm 40+ years old, maybe all I'll care about is w/l balance anyway?
People always think the grass is greener on the other side. It is not true.
I know enough bankers who hate their jobs. but at some point it is too late to take a flyer and do something else.
Teeth are important. This is America, not the UK. The work you do is needed and important even if repetitive/unexciting. You can have a great life as a dentist. You can have hobbies and be involved with your family to an extent that bankers/lawyers/MCs could only dream of. They probably couldn’t even dream of that if they wanted because many have lost all perspective on life and what’s important. And you can be a dentist geographically anywhere. Not so for major client service industries which confine you to the high COL liberal Meccas of the world.
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