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A career in IB with a Medicine degree?

Hello there.

I am aware that this topic may have been covered before but I failed to find anything on the search function and my question is rather specific. Apologies, but please help me the best way you can.

Basically as you may know, I will be starting at medical school from September at the Peninsula Medical School. Although I was passionate about a career in Medicine, I have recently begun to have second thoughts about this. Having followed numerous threads on this sub-forum, I have found the possibility of a career in IB quite intriguing.

It would seem to me that a great deal is made about "where you study" and "rankings" with certain degrees and IB. As you will know, Medicine is extremely competetive to get onto with even the very best straight A students either getting just one offer or more often than not, no offers.

With all medical schools being extremely competetive to gain entry to and all asking for similar entry requirements, it has always been said that where you studied Medicine makes no bearing on your future career (in Medicine).

For those of you who don't know, Peninsula M.S. is a joint medical school between Exeter and Plymouth Unis with the final degree being awarded by both unis. I am aware that Exeter has a good reputation as a unviersity in general.

What is the possibility of me going into IB with a medical degree from Peninsula?

How would I even go about getting into IB?

Does anyone have any knowledge of going into IB via Medicine or is there anyone here with first hand experience of this?

Thanks for any advice you can offer me.

Reply 1

Barny

17

First of all, if you're having second thoughts about a career in Medicine, don't study it at Uni. Its regarded as one of the toughest courses as far as work load and commitment goes, and if you're not motivated theres no way on earth you're gonna be able to force yourself through 5/6 years of the course.

Reply 2

gooseymcgoose

11

I know loads of people at Cambridge who give up medicine after the undergrad part and go on to do other things, quite often IB. Can't comment on Peninsula though...

A quite well known IB careers consultant used to specialise in medical students from ethnic minorities going into IB.

Reply 3

Mubsy

OP

As silly as this sounds, I felt that Medicine was always the degree for me and subsequently the career I wanted to follow. Having tried so hard to get into Medical School I am 100% committed to seeing out this degree. However the thought of jumping ship after the degree or after the Foundation Years has crossed my mind.

Perhaps it could just be a case of pre-university jitters? I don't know.

All I know is that if you asked me which degree I want to study, I'd say Medicine and I'm 100% sure of that. If you then asked me if 10-15 years from now if I could see myself working in the medical profession, I wouldn't be able to give you a conclusive answer.

Is there anything I can read about careers in IB and is there anything I could/should be doing at the moment with a future career in IB in mind?

Reply 4

Mubsy

OP

gooseymcgoose

I know loads of people at Cambridge who give up medicine after the undergrad part and go on to do other things, quite often IB. Can't comment on Peninsula though...

A quite well known IB careers consultant used to specialise in medical students from ethnic minorities going into IB.

OK. I'm seeing that obviously in this example it could be a case of the Cambridge name helping them secure these IB jobs. I mean I have previously applied to Oxford and got as far as the interview stage but sadly no place.

Reply 5

black-star

yes u can get into IB with a medicine degree
good luck

Reply 6

Mubsy

OP

black-star

yes u can get into IB with a medicine degree
good luck

LOL thank you. Now please tell me how. :redface:

Reply 7

Elles

17

British Bulldog

...it has always been said that where you studied Medicine makes no bearing on your future career (in Medicine).

No it hasn't!
Some argue it doesn't and some that it does. That it shouldn't is one of the arguments for a national/blinded application system/national exams etc. But we're not really far enough in with those for complete consensus - although geographically at least there seems to be more movement.

Is there anything I can read about careers in IB and is there anything I could/should be doing at the moment with a future career in IB in mind?

What roles would you want to go for?
& follow on - do you have a mathematical background? Medicine won't really develop these skills, apart from stats if you go somewhere keen on EBM or intercalate.

Then generic build an impressive CV type stuff I guess, as with anyone else. For my sample this mostly seemed to consist of rowing, lots of it - but perhaps they did more worthy things too when I wasn't watching. :wink:

I think I've said this before but I'd advise thinking about intercalating - perhaps I'm more dismissive than most because I'm actually doing it :p:

, but standard "medical degree" doesn't really require much intellect compared to the degrees the competition will have done (although obviously is challenging in other ways - volume, stamina, human interaction, practical skills etc.).

Could also save you from wasting more time and money by graduating a few years earlier if you made up your mind against medicine as a career.

gooseymcgoose

I know loads of people at Cambridge who give up medicine after the undergrad part and go on to do other things, quite often IB. Can't comment on Peninsula though...

I know of people who have after clinicals or left them for. But again Oxbridge, so not sure how generaliz-able it is, sorry.

Reply 8

rboogie

7

equity research is full of doctors

Reply 9

PortfolioManager

7

rboogie

equity research is full of doctors

Healthcare team specifically, although full of PhDs rather than doctors. Dont forget equity research is in decline in banks, so not much hiring happening.

Reply 10

rboogie

7

PortfolioManager

Healthcare team specifically, although full of PhDs rather than doctors. Dont forget equity research is in decline in banks, so not much hiring happening.

decline in numbers, but still seems to be needed - so less hires, but decent money if you're in.

I know of two medics in ER - dropped medicine to make more money.

Reply 11

Mubsy

OP

So therefore I can safely assume that it is indeed possible to pursue a career in IB with a Medicine degree? Great stuff.

Reply 12

PortfolioManager

7

British Bulldog

So therefore I can safely assume that it is indeed possible to pursue a career in IB with a Medicine degree? Great stuff.

Yes. but you will need to make a good case for yourself when they ask you why finance and not medicine, etc. in an interview if you are invited.

Reply 13

Elles

17

British Bulldog

I am aware that this topic may have been covered before but I failed to find anything on the search function and my question is rather specific. Apologies, but please help me the best way you can.

...

So therefore I can safely assume that it is indeed possible to pursue a career in IB with a Medicine degree? Great stuff.

You could have safely assumed that back in February when *you* asked about it & people responded with positive examples? :confused:

I guess the question is more whether you could persue a career in IB with your future Medicine degree, which is where the Magic 8 Ball is needed...

But something else I forgot to mention - our new medic careers intranet has a section on "Opportunities in The City" (but it's log-in only & specific to our grads - so don't think would be appropriate for me to C&P) - if you know anyone at Peninsula you could ask if there are mentions of anything similar?

Reply 14

HoodTrader

Lots of people doing this switch these days. Doing a med degree provides you with a huge amount of transferrable skills and perhaps it is better proof that you have the essential skills than someone else who is trying to display these through ECs.

One problem a few people I know have encountered though is getting the internship/experience opportunities. These days it is vital you get on these and I know med students have hospital placements/duty etc to do during
the latter years of the course, therefore they are unable to get internships etc.

In summation it is very possible for you to make this transition but you will need to find a way to prove your genuine interest in finance.

Reply 15

Mubsy

OP

HoodTrader

Lots of people doing this switch these days. Doing a med degree provides you with a huge amount of transferrable skills and perhaps it is better proof that you have the essential skills than someone else who is trying to display these through ECs.

One problem a few people I know have encountered though is getting the internship/experience opportunities. These days it is vital you get on these and I know med students have hospital placements/duty etc to do during
the latter years of the course, therefore they are unable to get internships etc.

In summation it is very possible for you to make this transition but you will need to find a way to prove your genuine interest in finance.

OK. Basically my interest in IB only came about by this forum. What can I do to gain more insight into this career? Are there any materials I should be reading etc? Should I be watching financial news programmes with great interest (I do watch some now and again)?

Reply 16

supernova2

11

British Bulldog

OK. Basically my interest in IB only came about by this forum. What can I do to gain more insight into this career? Are there any materials I should be reading etc? Should I be watching financial news programmes with great interest (I do watch some now and again)?

Read the economist/ft. Bloomberg/reuturs if you can be bothered. Get a few books on banking, investing etc. Look in the sticky at the top of this forum.

Reply 17

Mubsy

OP

supernova2

Read the economist/ft. Bloomberg/reuturs if you can be bothered. Get a few books on banking, investing etc. Look in the sticky at the top of this forum.

Good stuff. Thanks very much for that.

A silly question: Do I really need to like Golf? I can't stand the sport! :p:

Reply 18

mrniceguy

you seem quite flippant. the question seems to be more one of whether or not you will make it through your medicine degree. Best of luck

Reply 19

supernova2

11

British Bulldog

Good stuff. Thanks very much for that.

A silly question: Do I really need to like Golf? I can't stand the sport! :p:

yeah obviously, I've heard some banks auto filter the candidates who aren't on a handicap of 10 or below.

A career in IB with a Medicine degree?

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