Moving to jobs that use medical knowledge, you are able to see a broader range of possibilities that expand away from clinical, medical roles. Medical communications – including medical publishing, medical education, medical advertising and medical journalism – is a popular field for those that wish to still be able to deploy the medical knowledge they’ve accrued. Medical law and working as a patent attorney both require further academic study – patent attorneys can work on the job to sit their Patent Examination Board exams, and would typically become a qualified patent attorney in 4-6 years. Medical law requires a law degree alongside training on the job. Both careers can expect far higher salaries than traditional medical work. Medical consultancy is a popular alternative route – there are multiple specialist firms offering healthcare consulting.
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Other careers can, of course, include almost any field. However, there are certain areas that link more obviously to medicine, and where you may be more able to sell yourself as a doctor. Venture capital firms may be healthcare specific, and therefore an obvious choice for a doctor pursuing an alternative path. Industry agnostic firms will also invest in health tech. Equally, you may wish to move away from health completely. Private equity firms are likewise very competitive – with the due reward of a salary far higher than in traditional medicine. Expect to do a series of exams in PE (the CFA) whereas VC is normally more relaxed, especially if working for smaller firms.
Management consultancy can be viewed similarly to medical consultancy – again, see the article linked above.
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Setting up your own startup – becoming a Doctorpreneur – is risky but potentially rewarding. Bear in mind that your short term income will be low. Creating a startup may also serve as a good stepping stone to VC – most recruit principally from private equity / banking and startups.
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Not-for-profit organisations are a good choice for those that have a real desire to ‘give back’ – just bear in mind that the salary provided will be lower than many of the other careers you could choose.   Choosing to train in public health, then moving toward NGOs, can allow you to enter at a senior level.Â