6 answers
Elijah
Student
Boynton Beach, Florida
1
Question
Updated
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I need help to know what i like
I want to be a dermatologist but i am not sure if I am up to it. I like helping people but it's so boring to sit in a doctors office. What should I do.
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6 answers
Chirayu Rupani
Data Analyst
295
Answers
Frisco, Texas
Updated
Chirayu’s Answer
It's important to reflect on your interests and values before making any career decisions. You mentioned that you like helping people, which is a great quality to have in the medical field. However, you also find sitting in a doctor's office boring. One suggestion could be to gain more exposure to the field by volunteering or shadowing a dermatologist to get a better understanding of the day-to-day work. This will also give you a chance to ask questions and get a feel for the job. Additionally, consider speaking to someone in the field who you respect and trust for their opinion and advice. Ultimately, it's important to choose a career that aligns with your passions and interests, as this will increase your chances of finding fulfillment and success in the long-term.
Kess French
Medical Student
109
Answers
Updated
Kess’s Answer
Working as a clinician in a medical office is much different than other positions. Have you considered shadowing a dermatologist? I know this has been harder with COVID, unfortunately.
However, there are so many medical specialties out there. If you are interested in skin specifically, you might consider specializing in burns, wound care (usually a sub-set of general surgery), or plastic surgery. Are there other specialties you would consider?
I know a lot of the doctors I know switched what they wanted to do during their clinical rotations in years 3 and 4 of medical school. Many of them found things they didn't know that they were interested in.
For example: one went from cardiology to endocrinology, another went from family medicine to pulmonary critical care, another from general surgery to psychiatry, another from general surgery to gynecological surgery and OB/Gyn.
Also, I didn't know what I liked but I know what I don't like and I think that's just as valuable. Maybe make a list of specialties that are completely off the table for you. I.e. maybe you can't see yourself doing pediatrics or neurosurgery. It's a place to start.
Good luck!
However, there are so many medical specialties out there. If you are interested in skin specifically, you might consider specializing in burns, wound care (usually a sub-set of general surgery), or plastic surgery. Are there other specialties you would consider?
I know a lot of the doctors I know switched what they wanted to do during their clinical rotations in years 3 and 4 of medical school. Many of them found things they didn't know that they were interested in.
For example: one went from cardiology to endocrinology, another went from family medicine to pulmonary critical care, another from general surgery to psychiatry, another from general surgery to gynecological surgery and OB/Gyn.
Also, I didn't know what I liked but I know what I don't like and I think that's just as valuable. Maybe make a list of specialties that are completely off the table for you. I.e. maybe you can't see yourself doing pediatrics or neurosurgery. It's a place to start.
Good luck!
Bella McClane
Certified Medical Assistant
8
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Bella’s Answer
Hi there,
Being a doctor or health care provider of any specialty will definitely require a college education. I'm not sure if you are in high school, on the way to college or already in or almost done with college, but college will be the first step. And the best thing about college is that you have an opportunity to learn about what you like and what you don't like. If you are definitely considering being a health care provider, I would first suggest shadowing. You can shadow a physician, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner to get an idea of what makes these clinical providers different. Shadow providers of different specialties so you can get an idea of what each of them do specifically. Maybe you'll find that you like dermatology, but don't like cardiology. Or you don't like dermatology, but you enjoyed learning about emergency medicine. It's all so fascinating and there are so many avenues you can go down, so don't limit yourself to one specialty, broaden your mind and knowledge first.
In addition to shadowing, you can always do some volunteer work at your local hospital or clinic to get more comfortable in a medical environment. And remember, there are so many different positions out there. If you find sitting at a desk all day to be boring, then don't volunteer for front desk work, instead try something more hands on with patients.
Lastly, I just want to share my experience. I work in a medical office as a clinical medical assistant for a doctor. And although I do work at a desk with a computer, I can assure you that I am standing, walking around, even running at times to get work done. 70-80% of my week is spent away from my desk and in rooms with patients. Working in the medical field, whether as a doctor or staff, is hard work (it's gross at times, but that just makes it more exciting, but it's not boring) but if you do find it to be boring or uninteresting then maybe it's just not your cup of tea. There are so many careers out there. College classes, shadowing and volunteering will definitely help you find out what you like and hopefully pave the way for an exciting career goal for you.
Blessings to you and all you accomplish!
Being a doctor or health care provider of any specialty will definitely require a college education. I'm not sure if you are in high school, on the way to college or already in or almost done with college, but college will be the first step. And the best thing about college is that you have an opportunity to learn about what you like and what you don't like. If you are definitely considering being a health care provider, I would first suggest shadowing. You can shadow a physician, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner to get an idea of what makes these clinical providers different. Shadow providers of different specialties so you can get an idea of what each of them do specifically. Maybe you'll find that you like dermatology, but don't like cardiology. Or you don't like dermatology, but you enjoyed learning about emergency medicine. It's all so fascinating and there are so many avenues you can go down, so don't limit yourself to one specialty, broaden your mind and knowledge first.
In addition to shadowing, you can always do some volunteer work at your local hospital or clinic to get more comfortable in a medical environment. And remember, there are so many different positions out there. If you find sitting at a desk all day to be boring, then don't volunteer for front desk work, instead try something more hands on with patients.
Lastly, I just want to share my experience. I work in a medical office as a clinical medical assistant for a doctor. And although I do work at a desk with a computer, I can assure you that I am standing, walking around, even running at times to get work done. 70-80% of my week is spent away from my desk and in rooms with patients. Working in the medical field, whether as a doctor or staff, is hard work (it's gross at times, but that just makes it more exciting, but it's not boring) but if you do find it to be boring or uninteresting then maybe it's just not your cup of tea. There are so many careers out there. College classes, shadowing and volunteering will definitely help you find out what you like and hopefully pave the way for an exciting career goal for you.
Blessings to you and all you accomplish!
Alison Polston, DNP-BC
Doctor of Nursing Practice
1
Answer
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Alison’s Answer
The medical field is an exciting work place! It is fast paced and every day is a new adventure. Although you may treat 2 patients with the same condition or disease, the clinical presentation or symptoms may be different from one person to another.
It is important to evaluate your commitment to studying and perhaps giving up fun things now in order to enjoy the rewards later. For example, you may not be able to attend parties with your friends now in order to study and get good grades in college to get accepted into dermatology.
Another aspect to consider is how much do you like people? Are you patient to explain things to others? If they understand only half of what you've said, how important is it to you to take the time to explain again the part of the information that was not understood? Are you calm in high stress situations? How do you react when someone is angry, sad, disappointed and voices those feelings to you? These are some people skills needed to work in a medical practice.
Let's keep in mind that dermatology is a specialty, it may take 12 years to finish college and finally start practicing. Would you be committed to being in college for 12 years?
Your best option would be to do a clinic observation in dermatology, that way you can see what the job requires.
I am glad that you're curious about a career in medicine!
It is important to evaluate your commitment to studying and perhaps giving up fun things now in order to enjoy the rewards later. For example, you may not be able to attend parties with your friends now in order to study and get good grades in college to get accepted into dermatology.
Another aspect to consider is how much do you like people? Are you patient to explain things to others? If they understand only half of what you've said, how important is it to you to take the time to explain again the part of the information that was not understood? Are you calm in high stress situations? How do you react when someone is angry, sad, disappointed and voices those feelings to you? These are some people skills needed to work in a medical practice.
Let's keep in mind that dermatology is a specialty, it may take 12 years to finish college and finally start practicing. Would you be committed to being in college for 12 years?
Your best option would be to do a clinic observation in dermatology, that way you can see what the job requires.
I am glad that you're curious about a career in medicine!
Nathaniel Swan
chiropractor
33
Answers
Kirkland, Washington
Updated
Nathaniel’s Answer
Being a dermatologist can be a demanding career. Basically, you are looking at skin rashes and giving the patient some pills. It seems to be pretty dull. Going into nutrition might be an alternative, but food is a challenge unless clients are dead set on changing their ways. What is it about the profession that attracts you? You can help others in many ways, visit some offices and see if the day-to-day is something you might like.
Haywood Dawkins
Data Engineer
2
Answers
Columbia, South Carolina
Updated
Haywood’s Answer
In my experience, I have tested jobs/careers I am interested in. This was done through volunteering and/or through actual employment through a business. By trialing these different jobs, I was able to find jobs I love and others that I didn't like as much. This allowed me to narrow my focus and give me better direction in my career path.