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GUEST COMMENT: I was a doctor, I want to be a banker
15 June 2009COMMENTS
I actually knew a dentist turned trader, so it is possible. Read all comments »
After the crisis in financial services, you might think anyone working in medicine would like to remain where they are. However, as a former doctor I want to become a banker. I appreciate that financial services jobs are less secure than jobs in medicine, but I’m intrigued by the financial services industry and willing to take a risk.
I’m currently in the first year of an MBA at a leading European business school. Before I started the course, I worked as a doctor in Sweden and then as a surgeon in a London hospital for a year.
Medicine wasn’t my only focus during this time. I’ve always been interested in business, and pursued business opportunities alongside my medical career. For example, I started a small company focused on skin rejuvenation therapy and worked on some projects for a venture capital firm looking into medical tourism.
When my MBA course finishes I’d like to go into healthcare M&A. Investment banking appeals to my interest in business. Doctors and bankers need similar character traits: curiosity; an ability to work with other people; and eagerness to do the best job possible, whether for clients or patients.
I’ve spoken to several former medics who’ve gone into banking and they’re happy with the move. All are working with healthcare clients; they get to combine a passion for healthcare with their passion for business.
I feel fortunate that in this environment the healthcare sector is one of the best areas of banking to be in. It wasn’t easy to land an internship this year, but I was fortunate enough to get my first choice offer.
If someone said to me that I contributed more to society as a doctor, I’d say that doctors are very dependent on pharmaceutical and biotech companies’ ability to develop new drugs. If can help those companies to improve their performance by giving them good financial advice, then I feel this is a valuable contribution too.
COMMENTS
GetMeOuttaHere, Equities, Mon 15 Jun 09
Pls can we have an article about how to become a doctor if you're an investment banker?
Add your comment »MackTheKnife, Real Estate, Mon 15 Jun 09
Not an easy market right now even for existing bankers so it will always be difficult. However, if you apply yourself then there's no reason why this could not work although I would focus on areas like healthcare etc. in your case so you can add some value. After all it's been done before successfully by Chai Patel. I believe he initially joined Merrill Lynch before teaming up with the likes of Goldman Sachs' Whitehall on healthcare group buy-outs.
Add your comment »alan, Hedge Funds, Mon 15 Jun 09
hey buddy, get a life. I am an accountant and would rather be a hollywood mogul. What planet do you live on
Add your comment »Disillusioned, Corporate Banking, Mon 15 Jun 09
You must be crazy!!! You could stay working as a doctor and actually improve peoples' lives instead of encouraging larger pharmaceuticals to take over smaller ones, increasing their market share and generally making life worse for everyone except the shareholders. Why would you do this?
Add your comment »formerdoctor, Investment Banking / M & A, Mon 15 Jun 09
guest -
from your post your naivety is so touching to the heart. But I hate to break it you European M&A ain't what it used to be. Once you have had a taste of IB.... u will see that life as a dedicated surgeon is better.
ponterotto, Derivatives, Mon 15 Jun 09
you're just in it for the money - be honest son
i know that's why i am in banking
good luck with finding a job - great timing your decision to save the world
David, Debt / Fixed Income, Mon 15 Jun 09
Sako - you're not the only one who would consider the swap from being a banker to being a medic ! If you're under about 40 and living in the UK, it is possible to do med-school and become a doctor as a 2nd career - have a Google around the web for details
Add your comment »Jon, Trading, Mon 15 Jun 09
afe have done it but I don't think this is a wise career change. As most places won't give your CV a look especially in this climate. You will start at the bottom and that will be tough. So by the time you get to a position that pays you will realise was better being a doc.
Maybe if you bring the right contacts you could do well in M&A but otherwise think very seriously before doing this. Banking isn't all £1mill bonuses.
Johnny Moondog, Trading, Mon 15 Jun 09
I don't blame you, pal. After all, if you were to amputate the wrong limb, you'd be disgraced, have your practice and licenses taken away, and possibly end up in jail. Conversely, as an M&A guru, you could advise RBS to pay $30 billion for ING, a company with negative present value. In that case, you'd probably end up with a 400,000 pound bonus! Nowhere is failure rewarded better than in banking.
Add your comment »Dr Evil, Derivatives, Mon 15 Jun 09
I feel very sorry for the guest commenter. Such delusion at this stage in life, career and economic cycle is truly pathetic. At least we can be glad that s/he is not going to be causing a threat to patients any longer.
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