Psychology or Medicine

1

So ive been liking psychology for 3 yrs now and at some point i was certain that i would chose a psy degree. Recently im having doubts because there are ppl saying they regret it or that thay changed degrees or that it is hard to find a decent job, etc.

Even though i really like psychology the only fields that im actually interested in are Forensic and neuropsychology. I am doubting if i should make this commitment to get a Bachelors, masters and Phd to finally get work the job i want. But im afraid what if i lose interest and than end up doing nothing in the end.

On the other hand ive been thinking about medicine but (now i know that every degree is hard but i think its easier pursuing one you like) i know ppl who say that its really hard and a big sacrifice to make . Studying medicine sounds interesting but maybe not more than psychology. But i can at least secure a job , right?

Plus i dont get well with blood , it makes me vomit. Id probably faint if i had to draw blood from someone. I dont know if seeing dead corpses is a good idea cause id either vomit , faint or start imaging that they woud open their eyes or move or jump on me and choke me to death.

But i know that the doubt, the regret will def kill me before the corpses do if i make the wrong choice.

IDK what to do please help, i need to chose my a levels this year

Reply 1

beefreya

17

I think psychology has more career opportunities than medicine, because there's really only one job you can do with it, even if you specialise. With psychology you can still choose to do something in the medical field as well, if that interests you.
My dad for instance, he's a lawyer, and one of the trainees has no formal law degrees - the did psychology. In modern times there are more paths into careers than there were previously, and with psychology there are multiple career paths you can take.
The best advice I can give is to just do what feels right!

Reply 2

Cho yua

OP

1

Original post by beefreya

I think psychology has more career opportunities than medicine, because there's really only one job you can do with it, even if you specialise. With psychology you can still choose to do something in the medical field as well, if that interests you.
My dad for instance, he's a lawyer, and one of the trainees has no formal law degrees - the did psychology. In modern times there are more paths into careers than there were previously, and with psychology there are multiple career paths you can take.
The best advice I can give is to just do what feels right!

Thanks for replying! Ok what you said was true but i really dont like any other careers in psychology rather than forensic and neuro psychology. I dont like being a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist or working in schools , organisations you know. That's why im really confused lol

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 3

beefreya

17

Original post by Cho yua

Thanks for replying! Ok what you said was true but i really dont like any other careers in psychology rather than forensic and neuro psychology. I dont like being a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist or working in schools , organisations you know. That's why im really confused lol

I think you can do neuropsychology and forensics with both, but you will have to check out the course pages on the unis you want to apply. And the unis should have a careers advisor you can talk to before you decide, which I would suggest doing. And remember you have time, it only July and applications don't open for a while I think!

Reply 4

Chloe_8206

11

Original post by Cho yua

So ive been liking psychology for 3 yrs now and at some point i was certain that i would chose a psy degree. Recently im having doubts because there are ppl saying they regret it or that thay changed degrees or that it is hard to find a decent job, etc.
Even though i really like psychology the only fields that im actually interested in are Forensic and neuropsychology. I am doubting if i should make this commitment to get a Bachelors, masters and Phd to finally get work the job i want. But im afraid what if i lose interest and than end up doing nothing in the end.
On the other hand ive been thinking about medicine but (now i know that every degree is hard but i think its easier pursuing one you like) i know ppl who say that its really hard and a big sacrifice to make . Studying medicine sounds interesting but maybe not more than psychology. But i can at least secure a job , right?
Plus i dont get well with blood , it makes me vomit. Id probably faint if i had to draw blood from someone. I dont know if seeing dead corpses is a good idea cause id either vomit , faint or start imaging that they woud open their eyes or move or jump on me and choke me to death.
But i know that the doubt, the regret will def kill me before the corpses do if i make the wrong choice.
IDK what to do please help, i need to chose my a levels this year

Tbh it sounds like you want to do psychology more than medicine!
Also, given the competition for places at medical school, they will probably be able to detect if you are going for medicine as a backup plan! To secure a place, would would need work experience of some kind/volunteering and wider reading as well. You would also need to sit the UCAT exam by the 26th of September, which is required by all medical schools now (unless you're not in year 12 lol - sorry I'm assuming!). Medicine applications are early deadlines so you would need your application submitted by 15th October...
Have you considered doing a dual honours degree with psychology and something else? It might help you decide what you really are passionate about, and remember - you can always drop off the course if you really hate it (expensive I know but better than doing 3 years and regretting it!
Overall, you should pick the thing you are most passionate about. 😊 I am sure you'll be able to find a job in whichever degree you choose and don't forget, there will be many jobs in the future that haven't even been created yet!

Reply 5

greg tony

17

Original post by Cho yua

Thanks for replying! Ok what you said was true but i really dont like any other careers in psychology rather than forensic and neuro psychology. I dont like being a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist or working in schools , organisations you know. That's why im really confused lol

What do you think a Clinical Psychologist does? I ask as what you have said so far does not fit with what i do day to day as a Clinical Psychologist. A Clinical Psy is a jack of all trades, so like medicime you can specialise in some many different areas and this really impacts what your job looks like day to day.

Ref Neuropsychology, you can do purely research Neuropsy researcher) or you can work clinically with people with some research also (Clinical Neuropsychologist). These are different career pathways though and thus have different academic requirements etc.

Greg

Psychology or Medicine

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you