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Hello! My name is Nathaly and I am a current high school student. I'm conducting an interview with any professional in the dental field for a foundations in health science class project about careers! I have created a total of 13 questions. Comment on this post, answering all 13 questions to be a part of my assignment.
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
4. How can I decide if I should earn a PH.D in this field?
5. Were you in a college program?
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
11. How much debt did you end up with after finishing your degree?
12. What obstacles did you have to overcome to reach your profession?
13. What are some challenges you face during your job?
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3 answers
Updated
Prashanth’s Answer
Hi Nathaly,
It's absolutely amazing that you are focused on what you want to do next and trying to figure out what would best work for you. PFB my answer inline below:
My Current Job Title: Senior Software Engineer
Where do I work: Work with an awesome product company with HQ In the valley and I work out of India.
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
I am an engineer. I really liked Math and Science in high school. I didn't want to study for 10 years post Grade 12 to become a doctor (5-6 years of MBBS + 3 Years of MD + Another specialization)
Engineering degree was only a 4 year college course and I absolutely love math :)
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
4 years.
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
I used to tutor high school kids ( Math and Science) during my college. It did help me build my communication skills. But my engineering major helped me land a job in tech.
4. How can I decide if I should earn a PH.D in this field?
PH.D is great ..!! But it's many years of effort. Academic goals are different from Financial Goals. If the goal is to make money, a 4 year engineering degree would be great. Learning never stops there, you can always continue to upskill at work and do a part time masters during work in either management or engineering based on your interest. After the part time masters, you can decide if you want to commit to a PH.D program.
5. Were you in a college program?
Yes. Majored in Computer Engineering (Full time 4 year Degree)
After high school, you need to choose STEM in 11th and 12th and write your SATs to join a good engineering program.
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
Nope. No breaks from High school.
High school --> 11th and 12th STEM --> Engineering --> Job
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
I did do internships in tech while in college. That did help me before my full time job.
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
Yes. I was actively involved in a coding club in college and used to participate in hackathons.
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
Like I said, I majored in computer engineering which is extremely close to physics and then moved to tech. I always loved coding right from college and was very good in the tech subjects. But physics was never really my cup of tea, not like I was bad at it, I was just average. So subjects like electro magnetics, linear integrated circuits, micro electronics were 😵💫 But I got through the courses and am happy about that..!! 😁
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
I work on cloud related tech. AWS, azure, Google cloud etc and have picked up skills related to data engineering.
11. How much debt did you end up with after finishing your degree?
This is an awesome question. Different folks have different opinions on this. I didn't want to have a huge debt, so I joined a place where my parents could afford.
Like SATs, we have a competitive exam in India and I joined my engineering in a local state college equivalent to the likes of California State University colleges. You don't need to study in a UC, CSUs are great as well. Just that in UCs, you are spoon fed and in CSUs you are on your own. You'll take a couple of years to reach where the UC guys are but you'll have almost little to no debt. I did my entire engineering 4 year course for under 5k USD since I got a state scholarship. Else it usually costs around 20 to 30k usd for engineering in India.
12. What obstacles did you have to overcome to reach your profession?
Like I said, I graduated from a decent college but not the best one. So I started with a low paying job, kept learning and finally jumped within 3 years of my first job to a high paying tech job.
13. What are some challenges you face during your job?
Learning more about taxes. I really wish someone taught us more about tax laws in college or high school. Leverage your parents and learn more about tax in the state where you are and you'll be miles ahead.
Apart from that, all is great.
All of the above answers are my views alone. You are absolutely miles ahead by asking such a concise list of questions this early in life. I hope the best for you and wish you all the best.
Whatever you choose, rock it 🎉
After high school, choose a 2 year STEM Program and prepare for SATs
If you plan to become a doctor, please reach out to a doctor to learn more about the career path and the course you need to select
If you are planning to major in engineering, choose computer science and you'll make awesome money post graduation and there would be no tension about searching for a job
It's absolutely amazing that you are focused on what you want to do next and trying to figure out what would best work for you. PFB my answer inline below:
My Current Job Title: Senior Software Engineer
Where do I work: Work with an awesome product company with HQ In the valley and I work out of India.
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
I am an engineer. I really liked Math and Science in high school. I didn't want to study for 10 years post Grade 12 to become a doctor (5-6 years of MBBS + 3 Years of MD + Another specialization)
Engineering degree was only a 4 year college course and I absolutely love math :)
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
4 years.
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
I used to tutor high school kids ( Math and Science) during my college. It did help me build my communication skills. But my engineering major helped me land a job in tech.
4. How can I decide if I should earn a PH.D in this field?
PH.D is great ..!! But it's many years of effort. Academic goals are different from Financial Goals. If the goal is to make money, a 4 year engineering degree would be great. Learning never stops there, you can always continue to upskill at work and do a part time masters during work in either management or engineering based on your interest. After the part time masters, you can decide if you want to commit to a PH.D program.
5. Were you in a college program?
Yes. Majored in Computer Engineering (Full time 4 year Degree)
After high school, you need to choose STEM in 11th and 12th and write your SATs to join a good engineering program.
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
Nope. No breaks from High school.
High school --> 11th and 12th STEM --> Engineering --> Job
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
I did do internships in tech while in college. That did help me before my full time job.
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
Yes. I was actively involved in a coding club in college and used to participate in hackathons.
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
Like I said, I majored in computer engineering which is extremely close to physics and then moved to tech. I always loved coding right from college and was very good in the tech subjects. But physics was never really my cup of tea, not like I was bad at it, I was just average. So subjects like electro magnetics, linear integrated circuits, micro electronics were 😵💫 But I got through the courses and am happy about that..!! 😁
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
I work on cloud related tech. AWS, azure, Google cloud etc and have picked up skills related to data engineering.
11. How much debt did you end up with after finishing your degree?
This is an awesome question. Different folks have different opinions on this. I didn't want to have a huge debt, so I joined a place where my parents could afford.
Like SATs, we have a competitive exam in India and I joined my engineering in a local state college equivalent to the likes of California State University colleges. You don't need to study in a UC, CSUs are great as well. Just that in UCs, you are spoon fed and in CSUs you are on your own. You'll take a couple of years to reach where the UC guys are but you'll have almost little to no debt. I did my entire engineering 4 year course for under 5k USD since I got a state scholarship. Else it usually costs around 20 to 30k usd for engineering in India.
12. What obstacles did you have to overcome to reach your profession?
Like I said, I graduated from a decent college but not the best one. So I started with a low paying job, kept learning and finally jumped within 3 years of my first job to a high paying tech job.
13. What are some challenges you face during your job?
Learning more about taxes. I really wish someone taught us more about tax laws in college or high school. Leverage your parents and learn more about tax in the state where you are and you'll be miles ahead.
Apart from that, all is great.
All of the above answers are my views alone. You are absolutely miles ahead by asking such a concise list of questions this early in life. I hope the best for you and wish you all the best.
Whatever you choose, rock it 🎉
Prashanth recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Timothy’s Answer
What profession did you choose? Why? I became a nurse because I was in the medical field in the US Army
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
3 year associates degree
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
I was a medic in the Army
4. How can I decide if I should earn a PH.D in this field?
Higher education should be a personal decision, it should never be something that you feel inclined to do by someone else's influence
5. Were you in a college program?
Yes
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
No
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
No
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
No
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
No
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
The Army gave me skills I would never have gotten in the civilian world. I independently sutures injuries and took care of serious illnesses
11. How much debt did you end up with after finishing your degree?
None
12. What obstacles did you have to overcome to reach your professio
I was never a strong student, so to get where I am now I took my education in small chunks over time
13. What are some challenges you face during your job?
I am a male in a female dominated profession and frequently I have encountered prejudice and resistance from my peers
career
career-counseling
college
dentistry
job
dentist
dental
2
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
3 year associates degree
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
I was a medic in the Army
4. How can I decide if I should earn a PH.D in this field?
Higher education should be a personal decision, it should never be something that you feel inclined to do by someone else's influence
5. Were you in a college program?
Yes
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
No
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
No
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
No
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
No
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
The Army gave me skills I would never have gotten in the civilian world. I independently sutures injuries and took care of serious illnesses
11. How much debt did you end up with after finishing your degree?
None
12. What obstacles did you have to overcome to reach your professio
I was never a strong student, so to get where I am now I took my education in small chunks over time
13. What are some challenges you face during your job?
I am a male in a female dominated profession and frequently I have encountered prejudice and resistance from my peers
career
career-counseling
college
dentistry
job
dentist
dental
2
Updated
Lindsey’s Answer
Hi there! I have been in the dental field for 13 years, first as a dental assistant, then moving on to become an expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA). As duties for dental assistants & EFDAs vary state to state, it can sometimes be difficult to point someone in the right direction when it comes to these professions in particular. However for hygienists & dentists, while you do need to have state specific licenses, the services that you are able to provide stays fairly consistent between states.
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
I chose Expanded Functions Dental Assisting (EFDA). I was orginally going to college for Dental Assisting, in which I received an Associate's Degree. My intention was to complete my Associate's in Assisting and move on to a Bachelor's in Hygiene. I learned about EFDAs while I was in school for assisting and absolutely fell in love. It is an honor to restore my patient's smiles.
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
For my Associate's Degree in Assisting, I completed 2 years of college.
For my Certificate in Expanded Functions Dental Assisting, I completed 1 additional year of college, after meeting the requirement to work for 2 years after completing my degree in Assisting.
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
I worked in retail throughout college. I also was a receptionist at a hair & tanning salon.
4. How can I decide if I should earn a PH.D in this field?
To earn your DDS or DMD in dentistry, you must complete 4 year of undergraduate studies and 4 years of dental school.
5. Were you in a college program?
Yes, I was in a college program.
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
I did not pivot, however as required by the college I attended, I did have to work as an assistant for 2 years prior to returning for my Expanded Functions certification.
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
I completed clinical rotations during my Assisting program.
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
I did not join any school clubs related to my current profession.
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
I particularly struggled with dental radiology in college, not the clinical lab portion, but the written portion.
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
I have learned leadership skills, communication skills, radiology skills, restoration placements skills, and general dental assisting skills.
11. How much debt did you end up with after finishing your degree?
I had no debt after finishing my degree as I had scholarships that paid for everything.
12. What obstacles did you have to overcome to reach your profession?
I did not have any obstacles to overcome to reach my profession, aside from passing my classes and passing my state boards.
13. What are some challenges you face during your job?
I am faced with the challenge of placing complex restorations every day at my job, while also trying to comfort patients that are typically very scared to be in the dental chair and getting treatment. I have had several patients yell at me, swear at me, cry on my shoulder, hold my hand, and hug me once their treatment was completed. Being able to be confident in your abilities as a clinician are so important, but being able to show compassion and empathy for your patients is arguably the most important aspect of the job.
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
I chose Expanded Functions Dental Assisting (EFDA). I was orginally going to college for Dental Assisting, in which I received an Associate's Degree. My intention was to complete my Associate's in Assisting and move on to a Bachelor's in Hygiene. I learned about EFDAs while I was in school for assisting and absolutely fell in love. It is an honor to restore my patient's smiles.
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
For my Associate's Degree in Assisting, I completed 2 years of college.
For my Certificate in Expanded Functions Dental Assisting, I completed 1 additional year of college, after meeting the requirement to work for 2 years after completing my degree in Assisting.
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
I worked in retail throughout college. I also was a receptionist at a hair & tanning salon.
4. How can I decide if I should earn a PH.D in this field?
To earn your DDS or DMD in dentistry, you must complete 4 year of undergraduate studies and 4 years of dental school.
5. Were you in a college program?
Yes, I was in a college program.
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
I did not pivot, however as required by the college I attended, I did have to work as an assistant for 2 years prior to returning for my Expanded Functions certification.
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
I completed clinical rotations during my Assisting program.
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
I did not join any school clubs related to my current profession.
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
I particularly struggled with dental radiology in college, not the clinical lab portion, but the written portion.
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
I have learned leadership skills, communication skills, radiology skills, restoration placements skills, and general dental assisting skills.
11. How much debt did you end up with after finishing your degree?
I had no debt after finishing my degree as I had scholarships that paid for everything.
12. What obstacles did you have to overcome to reach your profession?
I did not have any obstacles to overcome to reach my profession, aside from passing my classes and passing my state boards.
13. What are some challenges you face during your job?
I am faced with the challenge of placing complex restorations every day at my job, while also trying to comfort patients that are typically very scared to be in the dental chair and getting treatment. I have had several patients yell at me, swear at me, cry on my shoulder, hold my hand, and hug me once their treatment was completed. Being able to be confident in your abilities as a clinician are so important, but being able to show compassion and empathy for your patients is arguably the most important aspect of the job.