03-05-2025
Careers in medicine are ‘recession-proof' but not without challenges, says S.N. Manjunath
In an engaging question and answer session at The Hindu Education Plus Career Counselling Session 2025 held at Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering (VVCE) here on Saturday, S.N. Manjunath, professor at the Department of Community Medicine of Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, described career in medicine as 'receession-proof' but not without challenges.
Drawing from over 30 years of field experience in the field besides being a member of the National Medical Commission, Dr. Manjunath shed light on the realities of pursuing a career in medicine and alternative systems like AYUSH.
'Medicine, whether it's allopathy or alternative systems like AYUSH, is a recession-proof career,' Dr. Manjunath remarked. 'It offers a unique stability — practitioners can work well beyond conventional retirement age, making it a lifelong vocation,' he said.
However, he was quick to caution that medicine is not a path for the faint-hearted. 'Unless you have genuine passion for this profession, don't choose it,' he advised, and said that it was also one of the most stressful careers.
When asked about preparing for medical entrance exams, Dr. Manjunath emphasised that there is no shortcut to success and asked the students to work hard and develop a clear vision.
Addressing the growing trend of students opting to study medicine abroad, Dr. Manjunath underscored the importance of pursuing an MBBS degree in India, given the kind of exposure doctors and MBBS students get in treating patients. In reply to another question, Dr. Manjunath noted the growing tendency of students to pursue an MBBS degree abroad but cautioned against the prevailing standards in some countries.
The interaction session evoked a slew of questions on AI, technical issues related to quota for admission to engineering colleges through CET, career options in finance and banking, the benefits of pursuing a dual degree, preparations for UPSC examinations, engineering courses, etc.
B. Sadashive Gowda, principal of VVCE, Uday Shankar, nodal officer of the Karnataka Examination Authority helpline division, S. Bhargav, a chartered accountant from ICAI Mysuru branch, and Vinitha G.R. who cleared the civil services 2024 examinations, Ameen e-Mudassar, career counsellor, and CEO of CIGMA, Bengaluru, were the resource persons.
