Should I study the course I want or one that leads to a stable career?

Is working abroad an option?
Also, if you are in a developing country, you could always do something in oil/alternative fuels?

At this point I'm not sure that I want to work abroad. Perhaps I would consider it as I become more mature but right now I just can't see myself working abroad. People don't seem to like immigrants and I would probably not thrive in a hostile environment. I would also like to contribute to the betterment of my own country. Having lived here for 18 years, I feel like I should contribute to the country that has given me a lot.

I am looking into renewable energy. I find that interesting as well (but not as much as Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics).

I'd say go for what you want to do and work abroad and try to immigrate. Canada and USA are quite welcoming towards immigrants. UK unfortunately from my experience isn't. Have a look at my thread about rejecting a Cambridge offer in this forum.

You can always serve your country by going back and starting a business and managing that from abroad. Also you should be aware that your countries degree might not be recognised in other countries especially for regulated professions. Best of luck. I desperately want to go to UK but the procedures seem draconian to me. If you can afford it its pretty easy for an International student in Canada to immigrate and get permanent residence in Canada or USA depending on where the job offer is.

Thanks for the reply. I'm trying to get a scholarship to study in Australia. Hopefully I'll get it and even if I don't (and I really hope I don't have to face this if) I'll try make sure I get educated at a good uni.

I like the idea of moving to Canada but not to the USA. Canadians just seem to be accepting and welcoming.

Hmm Is it really difficult to manage a business from abroad? I like that idea. I shall look into it.

Who has advised you to study medicine? What do your parents think? Medicine would probably be a very hard road if your heart wasn't in it.

My parents has told me that I should study something that I'm really interested in. That's what they keep telling me to my face but I do know that they worry about the employment prospects. They have also suggested that I could move abroad to pursue what I like but I don't think they actually want me to do that. (I guess they are a bit torn as well)

Well some of my friends have told me that I should pursue medicine as it a "safe" option but like you said I don't think I can cope with 5+ years of studying something I'm not genuinely interested in. I'm not a very sociable.
person and I'd rather help people from "behind the scenes"

PS: I hope you can understand my post easily. English is not my first language.

First of all I'm not from the UK (I know this is a UK based site but I needed advice and this seemed like a good place to get it). I'm from a developing country. I finished my A levels last June and I'm trying to figure out what to study at uni. If employment was not an issue I would get a degree in Chemistry and I would love to work in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic industry. Unfortunately where I am from, there aren't any (yes any, I'm not exaggerating) opportunities to work in these fields. I have been advised to study medicine and try to contribute to the development of my country. I would not mind becoming a doctor (I realise this is not the best attitude for a doctor to have) and I like the idea of being a doctor but it is not what I would ideally want to be doing.

So my question is what should I do? Any advise?

My advice is that unless you find some compromise between the two, you won't find either. Medicine is both competitive and taxing, and so to even become a doctor takes a huge amount of motivation and genuine interest.

If you really want to do something, pursue it and go where the work is. If you haven't considered working abroad in pharmaceuticals or similar, now might be the time to give it some serious thought.

Thanks for replying. I guess I should start considering immigration as a real option though I would like to service my country as well. It's as you said I guess, I need to find some compromise. Can't have everything, can I?