Some of us know exactly what kind of job we want to be doing. We have a clearly defined academic and career path that will get us there. And maybe we’ve already started to save up for the huge cost that qualifying to work in that role may be. Other young students hope that the answers to their purpose in life will make themselves apparent by pursuing general degrees. There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. Before you commit to one route or the other, it may be worth knowing which career choices may end up costing you the most.
Medical Doctor or Surgeon
We all know that straight As and the highest marks in class are essential for being accepted into a medical degree. But the length of time studying at University adds dramatically to the cost of qualifying for this career. Very few people can afford to pay the fees upfront. Instead, they turn to student loans. And medical school debt repayment can take more than a decade. Fortunately, doctors can earn quite handsomely once they have qualified fully. However, you will still need to keep up to date with the latest studies by taking additional courses throughout your working life.
Veterinarian
As a doctor of animals, studies will take at least as long as a full medical degree for humans. But there may be additional courses of study to pay for, depending on your specialism. Unlike human doctors, there are far fewer offers of support or ‘forgiveness’ to help you with your student debts. However, there is thought to be less competition in the fields of veterinary science. This means you may have more opportunities to find well-paid positions upon graduation. Many qualified veterinarians prefer to run their own clinics and practices.
Classical Musician
There are many low-cost paths to a career in music. But the vast majority of professional musicians have undertaken Conservatoire degrees. Auditions to enter these prestigious arts courses can cost hundreds. And reaching the standard required to audition for college can cost ten years of private and music school tuition. This easily amounts to thousands. Lessons continue for life in most cases. What makes this an expensive career choice is the low earnings from working as a musician. The hourly rate over the lifetime of a musician could be very small indeed. The most talented performers can retire quite comfortably, though!
Politician
The cost of a good degree may be the least of your problems if you want a lifelong career as a politician. Once you have graduated, you need to spend a lot of time working in the field of politics. Volunteering on campaigns can prove quite costly on your time, with no chance of earning. But it’s when you reach the top of your game that the true expense of a politician’s career is revealed. Think about the cost of campaigning! You will need to find a lot of funding from various individuals and businesses. They will need to support your aspiration of election. It may not come from your own pocket, but it’s certainly a huge amount of money to get you the career you dream of.
Does the cost of getting a role in your dream career put you off your decision? Let us know below.
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