How do I decide between pursuing engineering or medical science?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior who's stuck between choosing engineering or medical science as a career/major path. I love both subjects, but I'm unsure which one is the right fit for me in terms of future job prospects and personal satisfaction. Has anyone else faced a similar decision? How did you choose between these two paths? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi there! I can understand why you might be torn between engineering and medical science, as they are both rewarding fields. Consider a few things when making your decision:

1. Long-term vision: Think about where you see yourself in 10-20 years. What excites you more – solving societal problems with technology or directly impacting human health and wellbeing?

2. Academic interests: Reflect on which subjects have been your strongest and most enjoyable in school. Engineering typically involves more physics and math, while medical science may require deeper biology and chemistry knowledge.

3. Lifestyle: Consider the work-life balance and lifestyle you want. Medical professionals often have irregular hours, especially early in their career, and may deal with life and death situations, while engineers may enjoy a more predictable schedule and often work in team-based environments.

4. Job prospects: Research job growth trends, starting salaries, and long-term earning potential for both fields. Engineering and medical science have high demand, and a variety of specialties within the field, but some options may be more catered to your particular career goals.

If possible, speaking with professionals in those fields is also a great strategy, as they're the ones who can give you first-hand knowledge of what life as an engineer or medical professional actually looks like. This includes your college professors--many schools allow you to change your major early on in college, or don't even require you to declare until your sophomore year, so you'll likely have time to explore both paths.

That being said, some schools do have a more complicated process for switching majors, particularly if you have to transfer within the school into a particular program rather than just staying within the overall college of arts and sciences. So, if you're still undecided when applications season rolls around next year, make sure you research the policies on changing majors, specifically between these two fields, at the schools you're considering applying to.

Good luck with making the best decision for you!