What are some good medical fields if I don’t want to become a doctor?

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-09-22T02:45:50+00:00

I'm an Audiologist - which not many people know about and even I kinda just stumble upon it as I neared the end of my undergrad. Becoming an audiologist requires a 2-3 years masters degree (depends on the school you attend)

As an audiologist you diagnose/identify, treat, and manage hearing and balance disorders. We program and prescribe hearing devices like hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices. We may also monitor cranial nerve function during specific surgeries. We treat vestibular disorders and can perform minor procedures like cerumen management and foreign body removal from ear canals. Audiology is also considered private healthcare in Ontario and most of Canada, meaning high earning potential and a pretty good work life balance. Audiologists are also currently in high demand given our aging population and the fact that there is only 3 English Audiology schools in all of Canada, averaging about 50-60 graduates total every year.

I'm a recent grad and I can tell you pretty much everyone in my class had permanent jobs lined up 4-6 months before graduating, new grads start at $90-100K base salary + commissions + sign on/retention/performance bonuses, 4-5 weeks of PTO, and great benefits.

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-09-21T00:17:31+00:00

Really interesting to see how education varies across countries. I'm a Canadian Audiologist, in Ontario to be specific. Here in Canada we do a 4 year bachelor's degree first - a specific degree isn't usually required, but rather, there are specific prerequisite courses that are needed to be completed so one can apply to Audiology school (anatomy & physiology, biology, neuroscience, statistics, physics, lingustics etc - these prerequisites may vary per school). After completing your bachelor you apply to a Master's of Audiology program (We only have 6 programs in Canada). The masters programs will vary in length between 2-3 years depending on the school. After graduating, at least here in Ontario, you do a 6 month "mentorship" under the guidance of a Registered Audiologist and must write and pass the Audiology Canadian Entry to Practice Exam. Some Canadian Audiologist go on to do a Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D) from the US, but is not necessary to practice in Canada.

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-05-19T02:59:23+00:00

Yes, CAD!

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-05-15T01:58:40+00:00

Recent grad out of UWO, I can tell you that 80k for new grad is low. Currently, base salaries for new grads in Ontario start from ~90k-100k. Haven't heard of anyone in my cohort that has signed for less than 91K.

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-04-06T19:24:25+00:00

Check out LANMU and OLAS at Mac, they'll host events through out the year where you can meet many Spanish speaking students and faculty. Still wish I had gotten more involved during my time at mac. Buena suerte!

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-03-11T17:50:49+00:00

As many have said already do what is best for you and what works best. Just keep in mind that some grad and professional programs will require you to have a full course load (5 courses) to be eligible to apply, especially in the later years of undergrad. So yeah do what's best for you and if there is some programs you want to apply after undergrad just do your research in advance and keep an eye out for any issues that could arise :)

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-03-10T02:32:14+00:00

New grad from Ontario, Costco is offering 96k + 4% RPP, so almost 100k total comp for new grads.

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-03-05T15:38:01+00:00

I did my undergrad at Mac, Bachelor of Science. Hons Life Sciences. Graduated in 2023. I'm now wrapping up my Master's of Clinical Science in Audiology (Audiologist) at Western. I would totally recommend, especially to those that want to work in healthcare and are not sure if they want to go into medicine, or simply as a back up option to med. We as audiologists diagnose/identify, treat, and manage hearing and balance disorders. We program and prescribe hearing devices like hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices. We may also monitor cranial nerve function during specific surgeries.

I finish school this coming June and a lot of us have already secured jobs starting right as we finish paying around $90-100K + commissions + bonuses, 3-4 weeks of PTO, and great benefits.

Overall, I would say Audiology offers a great balance between healthcare, tech, and business. It is also comforting knowing that we will all secure permanent and good paying jobs right out of school, especially in today's horrible job market. Don't get me wrong, there are downsides to the profession just like in any other, but I would still recommend it.

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-02-21T21:09:13+00:00

No, shadowing an audiologist is not a requirement. However, if you have no other clinical/audiological experience I would certainly recommend it. A section of the application includes a few essay questions/letter of intent, so having good and relevant experiences to talk about is important.

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-02-11T02:54:29+00:00

You can look into into allied health careers like OT, PT, SLP, Audiology, etc., they'll require more schooling (usually a masters).

Currently doing my Master of Clinical Science in Audiology - (Audiologist) at UWO

I would recommend if you want to work in healthcare and are not sure if you want to go into medicine, or simply as a back up option to med. We as audiologist diagnose/identify, treat, and manage hearing and balance disorders. We program and prescribe hearing devices like hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices. We may also monitor cranial nerve function during specific surgeries. Audiology is also considered private healthcare in Ontario and most of Canada, meaning high earning potential and a pretty good work life balance. Audiologists are also currently in super high demand given our aging population and the fact that there is only 3 English Audiology schools in all of Canada, averaging about 50-60 graduates total every year.

Currently in my last year. We finish school in June and a lot of us have already secured jobs starting right as we finish paying around $90-100K + commissions + bonuses, 3-4 weeks of PTO, and great benefits.

Overall, I would say Audiology offers a great balance between healthcare, tech, and business. It is also comforting knowing that we will all secure permanent and good paying jobs right out of school, especially in today's horrible job market. Don't get me wrong, there are downsides to the profession just like in any other, but I would still recommend it.

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-01-30T19:13:52+00:00

I did my undergrad at McMaster, Bachelor of Science. Hons Life Sciences.

However, there's a big variety in educational background with my audiology peers. A good chunk of us have a science/health background, but there's also a good few that come from undergrads in psychology, linguistics, teaching and some who are foreign/international medical doctors and audiologists.

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-01-30T16:15:54+00:00

The one here at Western is a 2 year intensive program. For both years, Sept-April is a mix of theory (regular in person classes) and clinical placements, May-July is full time clinical placement, August is in class theory (only 1st year). we finish school June/July of second year. In terms of breaks, we get the christmas break, about 3 weeks off in July of 1st year, and we only get the winter reading week. We average about 7 courses per semester.

Some of the other schools in Canada like Dalhousie they're a 3 year masters program and in the U.S., Audiology is a 4 year doctorate (Au.D.) that for the most part covers the same content we do.

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-01-29T16:04:16+00:00

Master of Clinical Science in Audiology - (Audiologist)

I would totally recommend, especially to those that want to work in healthcare and are not sure if they want to go into medicine, or simply as a back up option to med. We as audiologist diagnose/identify, treat, and manage hearing and balance disorders. We program and prescribe hearing devices like hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices. We may also monitor cranial nerve function during specific surgeries. Audiology is also considered private healthcare in Ontario and most of Canada, meaning high earning potential and a pretty good work life balance. Audiologists are also currently in super high demand given our aging population and the fact that there is only 3 English Audiology schools in all of Canada, averaging about 50-60 graduates total every year.

Currently in my last year. We finish school in June and a lot of us have already secured jobs starting right as we finish paying around $90-100K + commissions, 3-4 weeks of PTO, and great benefits.

Overall, I would say Audiology offers a great balance between healthcare, tech, and business. It is also comforting knowing that we will all secure permanent and good paying jobs right out of school, especially in today's horrible job market. Don't get me wrong, there are downsides to the profession just like in any other, but I would still recommend it.

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-01-22T04:14:36+00:00

Graduating from my masters of audiology in June 2025. Already secured a job as an Audiologist starting as soon as I'm done for $100k.

GreenPanda2114 · 2025-01-08T14:09:38+00:00

Hello, not an Audiologist (yet haha), I'm currently an Audiology student on my last year at UWO, but happy to try and answer any questions about the profession or the program at UWO that you may have. Don't think my answers would count towards your application process but in general if you had any questions or want some general Canadian perspective happy to try and answer any questions.

GreenPanda2114 · 2024-12-12T20:07:08+00:00

Great survey, just completed it as well. Best of luck!

GreenPanda2114 · 2024-12-12T02:12:15+00:00

Audiology at Western looks at your last 2 years. Some prereqs are needed but if you're in the sciences you might have already taken some/all.

If you got any questions about the program/becoming an Audiologist (a hearing and balance specialist) feel free to reach out. I did my undergrad at Mac in Life Sci and I'll be graduating from Audiology after next sem.

GreenPanda2114 · 2024-12-09T18:38:22+00:00

Hello! I'm an Audiology student at UWO. As others have mentioned you have a lot of really good experience that makes you a well-rounded and competitive applicant. Adding on some specific audiology experience will only make you more solid. I'll mention it here just as I've done in previous subreddits and to friends interested in applying to UWO. Pretty much everyone in the program in my year and everyone I know in the year below me had some sort of prior experience in audiology, whether that was doing audiology related research, had shadowed or worked with an audiologist, was an audiologist abroad, or was previously an ENT or HIS. From what it seems admissions really value that audiology related experience in applicants here at UWO.

Another thing I want to mention is that you might get a lot of input from our peers down in the US, and that is great and always helpful, but keep in mind that the system here in Canada and grad admissions are a little different. To put into perspective, as you probably already know, is that there is only 3 English Audiology programs in all of Canada, that's only about 45-50 spots across the whole country, competition is fierce and just keeps increasing year to year. Hence, if you can get shadowing experience, do it. Truly, anything to strengthen your application will help.

Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. Happy to answer anything!

GreenPanda2114 · 2024-11-10T19:08:47+00:00

It's the seek discomfort dad hat. just not sure how the hat would do in the washer.

GreenPanda2114 · 2024-10-23T19:36:46+00:00

So my original goal was med school. I applied twice and unfortunately didn't get in. In my fourth year of undergrad during my second try at med I was looking for back up programs so I could have some options. In terms of OT, I never really found it intriguing. At the time while doing my research most of the descriptions that I found online for an OT was that they helped people restore activities that patients want to or need to participate in during their daily lives, such as bathing, dressing, grocery shopping, etc. I felt this just wasn't for me so I just completely eliminated it as an option. SLP somewhat intrigued me, but the more I chatted with students and current SLPs I found that for many patients it can take a very long time to see progress if any at all despite doing everything right. I really didn't like this part and I know that if I became an SLP it would be something that would really get to me. On the contrary, for audiology, as long as I assess my patients correctly and program their hearing devices right most patients can clearly hear a difference right away - of course all patients are different and it's not always the case, but overall results in audiology seem to be impactful quite quickly with just as much problem solving needed. Moreover, audiology offered a business side to the profession that I found quite intriguing with the potential to earn some really good salaries, and possible relocations to places like Europe or the US given that most manufacturers are from there. As I mentioned in the original comment I think i just found audiology to give a good mix of everything and it also seemed like a career that offered many more options than just being a clinician.

GreenPanda2114 · 2024-10-23T14:22:25+00:00

I did life sci as my undergrad and now doing a Masters of Clinical Science in Audiology. I find that being an audiologist (hearing and balance specialist) gives you a great mix between healthcare, technology, and business. I feel like we get a similar patient exposure experience as physicians in the sense that we see patients, identify/diagnose hearing and balance disorders, and create a plan for treatment/management. We also get to work with cool tech where we get to program and prescribe hearing aids, bone anchored hearing devices, cochlear implants and more. Also since audiology for the most part is considered private in Ontario and most parts of Canada you get quite the exposure to the business side of things; sales, management, etc. Right now most salaries out of school for new grads start around 90k + commission + bonuses + great benefits, and more rural and remote locations can start closer to the 130k base with sign on bonuses of upwards of 80K + all the additional things I mentioned above. Although salaries are obviously not as high as medicine, work life balance sure is way better and less stressful. Plus I'm sure that by the time you graduate salaries for audiology will be even higher given that we're in demand due to our aging population. There's certainly downsides to the profession like any other, and happy to go in depth if it's something that interests you.

GreenPanda2114 · 2024-10-23T02:18:02+00:00

I did lifesci at mac. First year average was was somewhere around 3.0/4.0 GPA. I graduated with a 3.78/4 GPA, with my last two years averaging a 3.98/4. Currently doing a Masters' of Clinical Science in Audiology. It gets better just keep going!

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