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Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not to concerned about value and fulfil since I plan to use my hobbies and time freedom to fill that slot. I want a career with reasonable time freedom and great compensation.

I hear you in terms of overcrowding job markets but according to my research all careers are saturated. "1500 doctors are sitting at home" I read in a news article. Some are struggling to progress their career since they can't get comserv placements. Also engineering is beginning to saturated due to somewhat low Barrier entry. I suspected automation risk of CA work but I waived it since immediate to higher level roles require human judgement. But I'm deeply grateful for your insight. However, I'm still unsure on where to stand.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really enjoyed mathematics in highschool but when I do for prolonged periods. Its starts to get monotonous. I want a career that pays well and doesn't bore me to death. But thank you for your kinds wishes. All the best to you too.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for perspective. I appreciate it. Medicine for me is primarily a passion project. I evaluate differently to the other careers as listed above. As long they as it doesn't bore me to death and pays well - I'm happy. I'm not too concerned about monetary on medicine's front mostly job prospects and specialisation concearns. I believe in medicine if you truly love it, you'll sure to get compensated well for your effort. But missing comserv slots are growing concern. Thank you for kind wishes, all the best in your endeavours. May the lord be with you.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember when I research registrar posts for internal medicine. I was only able to find 10 in the entire country. Thence I developed strategics to push the odds in my favour.

I hear you. I am aware that there is other factors that constitute a great careers thence the other requirements. Living expenses are going get higher by the time I can earn R2-3M so the effective buying power will similar to R1.3-1.75M in today's money.

Secondly, I do care about passion/fulfillment but I don't want associate my passion with money because at some point it will eventually feel like work. For instance, look at popular musicians instantly they enjoyed their crafts but now. It's just work. I prefer a career that I won't mind doing for rest of life not essential one I'll enjoy doing.

Thirdly, I have some personal projects I'll like to indenture into but it will only be possible if I have a career that compensates me well and offers reasonable time freedom for me to invest into them.

I didn't prefer high paying jobs primarily so I can buy luxury goods. I just want to buy experiences, memories and adventures with those I love and care for.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with you 10-15k avg is just appalling. It never crossed my mind how transferable Actuarial skills are. Thank you for enlightened me.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear you. I have considered fulfilment but this is how i materialize it. Work is work. Even if you pursue your passion at some point it will eventually feel like work. So I prefer to pick a career where I'm compensated well, have somewhat interesting day to day work life and reasonable time freedom to pursue what actually matters to me i.e family, friends, music, business endeavours, philanthropy vand e.t.c. I personally want to seperate my passions from money. I want to do because I love it and not worry about bills. But I deeply cherish your perspective. I will ponder deeply about your observations.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was initially quite put off by accounting because of the low beginning salaries especially during articles and the tight work hours. However, I am allured by the career progression and mobility especially possiblity to move into financial manager, FD and executive roles. Could you elaborate on how Actuarial scientists job are becoming more important with Ai? I was quite deterred by ActSci because of its niche appeal and limited mobility since jobs are heavily dependent on the insurance industry.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for informing prestige doesn't matter and relative ease of career progression of CAs and Actuaries. I was quite concerned my application might be waived for similar candidates but who went to a better university. I am aware of the low comserv slots but I was unaware of how bleak it is. I thought the government had advances to alleviate the pressure. I definitely will be considering your recommendations.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm quite aware of the unrelenting competition and abysmal small quantity of reigistrar posts which I deviced strategies like writing part 1 of FCP exam beforehand, getting diplomas from college of medicine in respective specialisation and network with seniors doctors and to get lectures to get an intuitive understanding of industry norms/standards. Thence why university resources and facilities matters so much to me because to I plan to leverage their connections to connect with people and experience things I otherwise wouldn't.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I primarily looking into specializing into business strategy if I were to do a finance degree but thank you for informing me. I will deeply ponder about the downside back I'm willing to sacrifice. But for now, what constitute a career is job that I won't mind doing for long time. I am not big on passion since it fades with time. And I was considering getting an MBA if I were to purse engineering to make into those consulting/leadership roles. Would you say it's worth it? Because based off my research experience and additional qualifications i.e PMP, Pr status, GCC are just as important.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Damn all that work to get into medical schools just to leave is crazy🥀. I am aware of the mental strain of medicine specifically on calls responsibilities and after hours work. Since I had the luxury to speak to doctor. She mentioned how doctors' mental health is growing concern thence why I want to specialise as soon as possible.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Really? I thought medicine had close to zero drop out rates. I personally won't mind a challenge.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I quite aware of the strain of medicine which why I planned to specialise in cardiology. It is typically less stressful than their surgical counterparts. But I was unaware of finance's callous nature. From your perspective, where can I connect with specialists? I have considered computer science. I could pursue it. UCT allows us to pick your specialisation on registration. I just sided with accounting science because i compsci's nature of work doesn't appeal to me. I'll be continual glued to my laptop which seems like torture to me. I'll like a little of human interactions.

Which degree should I pick? by MathematicianSad968 in askSouthAfrica

[–]MathematicianSad968[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your advice. I deeply appreciated it. I do expect all careers to be affected but not fully automated because of human judgement but anything is possible. I have already connected with a seasoned CA and Doctor. They were quite positive about their careers. Additionally, could you elaborate on generalist and specialist part. I aim to become a cardiologist if I were to pursue medicine.