how many years do i have to be in school to be a pediatrician?

Like all medical professions, becoming a pediatrician takes the following steps:

- four years of college

- four years of medical school

- one year of a Pediatrics internship

- two years of a Pediatrics residency

So total of 11 years after high school graduation.

Other than thinking about how many years of school it will take, I recommend that you ask yourself the following questions as you're exploring careers:

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  Why do you want to be a pediatrician? Is it because you want to work with kids? (here are some other careers that work with kids: http://careervillage.org/questions/19/which-careers-are-good-if-i-enjoy-working-with-kids). Is it because you want to help people? (there are also many careers where you can help others). Is it because you want to make money?
  
  

  
  


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  Would you enjoy the activities that a pediatrician does? (look at this answer for being a pediatrician is like day-to-day: http://careervillage.org/questions/98/whats-daily-life-as-a-pediatrician-like

  
  

There are thousands of different careers out there--as you explore, think about the things you like, what you're good at, and what kind of jobs pay you to combine the things you like with the things you are good at!