Seriously, it's the biggest growth industry and will be forevermore.

Slightly PARFy, McLovin, but I agree. If I had to do it all over again...

Does the gubmit regulate titty bars? That'd be a good job.

Can't say for one specific reason... I have always excelled in Science so I knew I wanted to go that way. From things I had done in Scouts I knew the medical field interested me. I would have tried for med school but I am seriously squeamish.... I just flat can't handle blood. So I started looking at Pharmacy.

I enjoy most days at work... There are just times that I wonder if I could do it for the next 40yrs....

There are plenty of specialties in medicine where there's little squeamishness involved. Plus, most people get used to it. Of course I think becoming an MD is a financially idiotic plan, but that's a different issue.

However, I think there are also lots of opportunities in "mid-level" providers in medicine, if that's the way you want to go. Nurse Practitioners and Physician's Assistants do a lot of what a doc does. I think that's a financially smarter way to go; you don't earn as much money, but the legal risk is much lower. Right now I'd guess the average pay is about $60-80K. I've heard of rare PAs who earn well into 6-figures, but that's not common. The ceiling for how much an NP or PA can earn will be how little can you pay an MD to do the same thing.

As to the latter point, fret not young grasshopper...in all liklihood watever professional path you take will probably see you in a variety of careers. Very few people get pigeonholed into one vocation or one employer/venture for their entire working life. To wit, you may become a pharmacist working for somebody, then go into medical supply sales, then to supervising a hospital pharmacy in an administrative capacity, then buy your own pharmacy and manage employees/pharmacists, then to teaching pre-pharm courses at a juco...who knows?

As to the former point, there are medical career fields that will be hot for years to come as a result of the aging boomers that want to live forever: hospital administration, geriatric care research, nutritionist field, physical therapy, etc. Sounds to me college level science is wearing you down...chin up lil fella...you'll figure it out. You have something very valuable most of us don't: YOUTH and TIME;)

got offered a government job. ...i'm leaving the private sector for a 6 figure job, with a real retirement, and lots of days off. ...times are a changin'

i hear there is a shortage of fluffers