The struggle after earning a Medical degree whether it’s MBBS,BDS,BUMS or any other healthcare qualification is so real that it sometimes it makes us question our decision we made years ago when we choose this career path.
What surprises me is that very few people talking about it when students are deciding their future.We are never guided about the challenges that come with persuing the degree and difficulties after completion of the degree.
When we decide to enter the medical field,We are thrilled and excited.But once we enter the college,the excitement is often replaced by academic pressure,endless responsibilities and the reality of journey ahead.
And after graduation a different kind of struggle begins.There ia often no or very less guidance of diverse career path we can pursue,limited earning opportunities, expectations to work at little or no pay in the name of gaining experience,overtime being normalised,high investments to open a independent practice,and a constant struggle to meet mental peace and maintain work life balance.
Why aren’t these challenges discussed openly?
Why is only the brighter side of the system shown?
Being a medico is a matter of pride but it is also the journey filled with sacrifices, uncertainty and immense pressure.The struggle is real and I believe many healthcare professionals will agree with that.
I wish more and more parents and school kids get exposed to this side of healthcare education and professions as well so they can make more informed choices.
Because these professions are so glorified in our country that most people have no idea about the disadvantages and how to live with them once we get into the system.
We spend years learning how to treat patients, yet very little time learning how to navigate our own careers. That transition from student to professional can be far more overwhelming than many of us expect.
We should guide our students about both sides of the medical profession so they can make an informed decision before entering the field. It is crucial for everyone to decide only after obtaining complete information. Many of us leave this profession over time because our minds are not prepared for the upcoming challenges.
I agree with you not just 100%, but 200%, as the intense struggles of earning a medical degree are too often hidden behind a curtain while only the glamorous, brighter side is shown to the world. When we first enter this field, we are fueled by pure excitement and a dream to heal, but that thrill is quickly replaced by crushing academic pressure and heavy responsibilities, followed by an even harsher reality check after graduation. With an overwhelming number of qualified professionals competing today, the staggering years of sacrifice and mental pressure are rarely recognized, properly paid, or respected by the industry. If healthcare systems actually rewarded our worth with fair compensation, genuine respect, and adequate employment, it would be a turning point that completely heals the burnout we endured as students.
It breaks my heart to remember a close friend vividly telling me that despite their initial excitement, they are now struggling just to find a job that doesn’t even pay properly or respect their profession—yet, like so many others, they continue to stand strong for their dream despite the immense pressure. Thank you for speaking out on this untold reality; it is high time the system recognizes our sacrifices, not just our certificates.
So beautifully put. The way toxic work hours and working for next to nothing are normalized in healthcare. It’s comforting to see everyone in the comments agreeing, but it really shows how much we need systemic changes so that choosing a medical career doesn’t automatically mean sacrificing your mental health.
Totally agreed. The path we take is completely different from the people of other backgrounds. That’s what makes us standout. Surely, there is more perseverance compared to other professions, but that’s what makes it beautiful. Isn’t it?
Very well written. No one discussed about the struggles of those 5-year medical studies and the challenges after completing the course. Being a medical profession we know how many occasions we have missed and how we have struggled with medical exams. Getting own patients for each subject practical exams was the difficult task. After completing graduation the real struggle is what next post graduation, clinical or non-clinical. The only solution is proper counselling of parents and students before getting admission in the medical field.
Yes completely agree with you!
But i think it should be taught in school life, what are the fields rather than MEDICO, ENGINEERING. I think parents and school teachers just say things like u have to engineering or medical, no other options are shown.
And when the student enters in one of the after the real pressure expose to the environment they get to know about other fields and in some they got their interest and less pressure.
Soo, i think this should be taught in school what other fields you can choose.
In countries like India where people only know profession as medical, law, engineering and upsc. They put pressure on children and often choose these fields without knowing the career and path after that. Medical field being called as the noble profession , it is glamorised to an extent where students often doesn’t know what is heading with them. The pressure in medical field is much that it can overwhelms other people. There is no proper payment after the degree. Even after studying for at least 7-8 years there is no such recognition and earning. It only start coming when you pas your golden age of your life and comes of mid-adulthood. In colleges they are only taught about the clinical fields. After having that degree they are still confused what they should do a they have a very little knowledge about non-clinical roles. Sometimes they even switched the profession
Absolutely true ! It’s important we get guidance regarding future prospects, branching courses , different offshoot careers we can pursue after we complete under graduation .
What other non - medicos see is just the tip of the ice-berg. They can never see what a doctor has to go through- years of hard work, frustration, sleepless nights, precious family time, just to be a doctor.
One aspect that often goes unspoken is the identity crisis many healthcare professionals experience after graduation. We spend years working toward a single goal, and once the degree is in hand, we’re suddenly faced with questions about specialization, career paths, finances, and work-life balance. The struggle is not just academic or professional—it’s also personal. Conversations like these are important because they help normalize challenges that many medicos quietly go through.
The medical field is undeniably honorable, yet the challenges and sacrifices doctors endure behind the scenes deserve recognition equal to their celebrated accomplishments.
This is so true. When I joined Pharm D, everyone said there were great opportunities abroad, but nobody talked about the financial burden and career challenges. They never mentioned how much additional studying would be required or that getting a job immediately as a fresher abroad isn’t easy.
This article sheds light on the real struggles faced by medical students and healthcare professionals beyond their degrees. It stresses the importance of honest guidance about career challenges, work pressure, and future opportunities.