Working in Research (Medicine or Science bachelor)
This is going to be extremely specific but I’ve been asking a lot of researchers and doctors and still haven’t been able to get a clear answer.
I’m interested in working in neuroscience research, however the area I’m from doesnt offer a lot of jobs in research, let alone research in neuroscience. I’ve been consulting a lot of professionals and most of them have suggested going into medicine first then focusing on research (instead of just getting a degree in microbiology, biomedical sciences, neuroscience, etc). I was interested in doing an intercalated degree but the scholarship for my country doesn’t allow that so it isn’t an option.
So I just wanted to ask if going into medicine first would be the better option (they suggested this because of job security and because research institutes prefer having medical researchers) or if it would be better to get a bachelor then a master and PhD.
If I do medicine would I need to specialize/join a board? My parents suggested that I dont need to do one and I could go immediately into a masters and PhD after getting my MBBS but I feel its useless to do medicine just to not specialize and it wont make me standout to research centers and would be a waste of time and effort.
If i do specialize what board should I join? I was thinking pathology then doing a fellowship in neuropathology but I asked a neuropathologist and she said the type of research they do is retrospective which doesnt interest me. From what I tried learning on my own its between neurology, pathology, and microbiology but there are too many microbiology doctors and its oversaturated here.
I appreciate any advice 🙏🏼
I’m interested in working in neuroscience research, however the area I’m from doesnt offer a lot of jobs in research, let alone research in neuroscience. I’ve been consulting a lot of professionals and most of them have suggested going into medicine first then focusing on research (instead of just getting a degree in microbiology, biomedical sciences, neuroscience, etc). I was interested in doing an intercalated degree but the scholarship for my country doesn’t allow that so it isn’t an option.
So I just wanted to ask if going into medicine first would be the better option (they suggested this because of job security and because research institutes prefer having medical researchers) or if it would be better to get a bachelor then a master and PhD.
If I do medicine would I need to specialize/join a board? My parents suggested that I dont need to do one and I could go immediately into a masters and PhD after getting my MBBS but I feel its useless to do medicine just to not specialize and it wont make me standout to research centers and would be a waste of time and effort.
If i do specialize what board should I join? I was thinking pathology then doing a fellowship in neuropathology but I asked a neuropathologist and she said the type of research they do is retrospective which doesnt interest me. From what I tried learning on my own its between neurology, pathology, and microbiology but there are too many microbiology doctors and its oversaturated here.
I appreciate any advice 🙏🏼
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The Medicine forum gets a high volume of questions being posted, and some of these are already answered by the resources and Megathreads that members of the community and volunteers have created. This is an automatic post which is designed to highlight these resources. Below is a list of threads and articles that could answer your question (you should be looking in the original post of the megathreads). If one of the below threads is a more relevant place to ask your question, please post a reply in that thread to ask your question. If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked below, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
Megathreads
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The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread
Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work
2023 Applicants:
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2023 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2023 Entry
Medicine 2023 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2023 Entry
Medicine Interview discussion 2023 Entry
2023 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Index of Individual Medical School Applicants' threads 2023 Entry
2024 Applicants :
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2024 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2024 Entry
GAMSAT 2024 / 2025 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2024 Entry Discussions Megathread
Medicine 2024 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2024 Entry
Medicine Interview Discussion 2024 Entry
2024 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2024 Entry
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Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2025 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
GAMSAT 2025 / 2026 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2025 Entry Discussions Megathread
Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2026 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2026 Entry
Useful Articles:
GCSE Requirements for Medicine
Everything you need to know about the BMAT
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
Medicine Personal Statement Advice (Graduate Entry)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application
Funding medicine as a second degree
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