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Chemical engineering or medicine?

Why do many Indian parents want their children to study medicine instead of engineering?

  • I study in one of the top engineering colleges (NIT) in India and also I had got very good rank in medical entrance too .When I come across some people they ask me why I didn't go to medicine and one of my relative boasts that his son is studying medicine even though he had got lesser rank than me in medicine and didn't get through AIEEE exam and more he had no interest in medicine at all.These things annoy me a lot.

  • Answer:

    There are a lot of reasons for this, social, economical etc. It's a lifestyle not just a profession: A doctor friend of mine used this line once. And yes this is indeed true, no one can take this away from you, you are working or not, you are in hospital or not, you'll always be a doctor. You earn it in the five and a half years spent at Medical School. Compared to that an Engineer on road is no one, what can he do in a dire life threatening medical emergency? Nothing!! So yes people tend to favor something which is more appealing to the normal human pysche. Social Status/Respect At least once in our life, we have to seek some desperate medical council in case of emergencies for our dear ones. At such times doctors are the only hope for us, and that forms the major reason for their social status and the respect they hold, they are considered next to God. So it is pretty obvious that they are held in high esteem (compared to engineering grads who are passing out from xyz colleges at every nook and corner). Demand and Supply If you see there are approx. 8.5 lakh (read somewhere, not confirmed) fresh engineering graduates coming out every year, compared to it the number of doctors is in mere thousands (and the number of PG seats is even one third of that). The competition to get into good med school is tough and the number of seats is far lesser, hence the respect, hence the boast. Achieving something which is scarcity is valuable. I guess I've made it clear, compare someone working in a 4x4 cubicle, coding for some billionaire to make him more rich and prosperous with a white clinical gown wearing person running around in a hospital to save the life of people. Who will you respect more :) Thanks for A2A!

Akshay Kumar at Quora Visit the source

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Taking medicine is supposed to let you end up with a well-paid, secure, respectable job. These are three words Indian parents drool over. You will have to shut yourself to the opinions of others and focus on following what you want to do.

Raziman T.V.

Indian parents are not the only ones who lust for at least one of their children to become a doctor. What about Jewish and Chinese and Episcopalian, not to mention African American, parents? Oy! Come on! It's prestigious. It's traditionally well-paid. It is a sure-fire route to snagging an attractive mate. Maybe another doctor! You can take care of them when they are old. Don't act annoyed. Makes you look envious.

Marti LaChance

May be due to few assumptions that they nurture : 1. Doctors make good money 2. Society treats medical profession with relatively more respect 3. Once a doctor , always a doctor . You may practise as long as you are fit. 4. If you are not interested in serving in public and corporate hospitals , you may open you own small clinic. So less chances of staying unemployed . 5. Asset to the family and relative should a health issue arise. Truth : 1. Not all doctors make good money . It depends on individual talent and choices 2. People respect you as long as things are moving fine . Should any thing go wrong you are likely to face a legal suit. 3. It is not a 9 to 5 job . There are no weekends . It's stressful at times. 4. Family and personal life takes a back seat. What should one do : Become a doctor if you are passionate about this field . Job satisfaction is amazing provided you love being a doctor . Don't become a doctor if just minting money is your goal or your parent  ask you to be one . If you do so very soon you will land up in ever growing ' frustrated cynical doctor's club '. All professions are unique and contribute to society and each has its merits and demerits .There is no competition at the top . So whatever you do , give your best and I am sure you will have an wonderful ride .

Kirnesh Pandey

It is   because of the respect and the dignity doctors get in the society. Also, many   parents want their children to be respected in the society and thus force   them to become doctors. It is also a good profession where staying unemployed   is very less. But, if you are keen interested in this profession go for it.   Else, do your interested course which will make you reach heights and   eventually leads to high earnings.

Rajesh Saagar

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