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How do I know as a 9th grader if being a surgeon is right for me?
I’ve always been interested in medicine and surgery but with the insane amount of school and then the residency I don’t know if I’m sure about doing it as a career. #surgery #medicine #medschool
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Victoria’s Answer
Hi Sophie,
You are asking a really important question that many different professions and professional-in-training grapple with all the time. Careers that require advanced education (high school, college, graduate/medical school) are challenging in that they demand a long term commitment; they are super demanding; and in many ways they are a "calling". There is no one way to achieve your career goal. Many professionals start in one area and have a variety of jobs as they develop their careers. Becoming a doctor, a lawyer, a PhD, or obtaining any advanced degree takes time, money, and determination. I worked in continuing medical education and watched healthcare professional grow and develop throughout their careers. It is very rewarding. I took a lot of math and science, but I felt my strengths were in critical infrastructure, operations research, business, and security so I chose a different path but I get to work with healthcare professional all the time who use our technology. So STEM careers use a "spectrum of skills" that are in demand and offer so many opportunities. By studying math, science, engineering, and technology you are positioned to pursue so many different options.
If you are interested in surgery/medicine, start by exploring what has attracted you to this specific profession/career. What group of patients would you like to work with ideally and why (children, adults, women, elderly, etc.)? What types of specialties seem most interesting to you and why: orthopedic, dental, general, etc.? Where would you like to work and why: in private practice, in a teaching hospital, in the military? It's okay if you don't know the answer.
One way to start thinking about whether this career is the right match for you is by volunteering in that specific setting - like volunteering in a surgical ward. Volunteering is so important to figure out what you like and what you don't like. Volunteering doesn't cost anything. Understanding first hand and seeing what you like is so important : you will learn more about yourself in the process of helping people. I would recommend volunteering in multiple areas of a hospital so you can see first hand what surgeons do, how they become surgeons, and what their lives are like. You might also want to keep a journal for yourself of your experience. What did you like? Why did you like it? Also read as much as you can about the area. You might find other areas that interest you as you explore this career. Keep all these ideas/articles/pictures in your journal and use this as your roadmap.
You are right, demanding careers require you to focus time, money, and talent to achieve the goal of becoming a professional. The good news is that pre-med requirements prepare you for many different STEM careers. You might find out that you like forensic pathology rather than general surgery or you like biomedical engineering. Take a look at your talents and interests and add these to your journal.
Also, talk to as many people as you can in the field. There are mentors everywhere. While you volunteer talk to health professional that you meet. There are so many people that work on a surgical team who are not doctors but are nurses, therapists, PhD's, engineers, etc.
A little later, you might also consider creating a budget to show what training will cost and looking up salaries so you can see what your earning potential will be. Also consider the hours required to practice, lifestyle, and growth potential. These are all things you can discover by volunteering and talking to professionals in the field.
I would love to hear about your volunteer experiences and/or why you are interested in pursuing a healthcare career.
You are asking a really important question that many different professions and professional-in-training grapple with all the time. Careers that require advanced education (high school, college, graduate/medical school) are challenging in that they demand a long term commitment; they are super demanding; and in many ways they are a "calling". There is no one way to achieve your career goal. Many professionals start in one area and have a variety of jobs as they develop their careers. Becoming a doctor, a lawyer, a PhD, or obtaining any advanced degree takes time, money, and determination. I worked in continuing medical education and watched healthcare professional grow and develop throughout their careers. It is very rewarding. I took a lot of math and science, but I felt my strengths were in critical infrastructure, operations research, business, and security so I chose a different path but I get to work with healthcare professional all the time who use our technology. So STEM careers use a "spectrum of skills" that are in demand and offer so many opportunities. By studying math, science, engineering, and technology you are positioned to pursue so many different options.
If you are interested in surgery/medicine, start by exploring what has attracted you to this specific profession/career. What group of patients would you like to work with ideally and why (children, adults, women, elderly, etc.)? What types of specialties seem most interesting to you and why: orthopedic, dental, general, etc.? Where would you like to work and why: in private practice, in a teaching hospital, in the military? It's okay if you don't know the answer.
One way to start thinking about whether this career is the right match for you is by volunteering in that specific setting - like volunteering in a surgical ward. Volunteering is so important to figure out what you like and what you don't like. Volunteering doesn't cost anything. Understanding first hand and seeing what you like is so important : you will learn more about yourself in the process of helping people. I would recommend volunteering in multiple areas of a hospital so you can see first hand what surgeons do, how they become surgeons, and what their lives are like. You might also want to keep a journal for yourself of your experience. What did you like? Why did you like it? Also read as much as you can about the area. You might find other areas that interest you as you explore this career. Keep all these ideas/articles/pictures in your journal and use this as your roadmap.
You are right, demanding careers require you to focus time, money, and talent to achieve the goal of becoming a professional. The good news is that pre-med requirements prepare you for many different STEM careers. You might find out that you like forensic pathology rather than general surgery or you like biomedical engineering. Take a look at your talents and interests and add these to your journal.
Also, talk to as many people as you can in the field. There are mentors everywhere. While you volunteer talk to health professional that you meet. There are so many people that work on a surgical team who are not doctors but are nurses, therapists, PhD's, engineers, etc.
A little later, you might also consider creating a budget to show what training will cost and looking up salaries so you can see what your earning potential will be. Also consider the hours required to practice, lifestyle, and growth potential. These are all things you can discover by volunteering and talking to professionals in the field.
I would love to hear about your volunteer experiences and/or why you are interested in pursuing a healthcare career.
Thank you so much for this it means a lot for you to think about it this deeply. I definitely will look into volunteering in hospitals near me and one of my family members is a nurse so I will talk to her as well. Thank you again!
Sophie
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Sometimes choosing a career is easier when you learn what is involved in getting to that career. General surgery is a great field requiring a medical doctorate. This means that you will have to complete college with a bachelor’s degree as well as all of the Pre-med requirements (1 year biology, 1 year inorganic chemistry, 1 year organic chemistry + labs, physics, calculus, and biochemistry). GPA should probably be 3.5 or better (preferably >3.8). You will also have to score well on the MCAT. Once accepted to medical school, as long as you pass your classes and perform reasonably well during your four years of medical training, you can apply for a general surgery 5 year residency. Following that, you will likely apply for a 1-3 year fellowship. This career path requires 14+ years of school after high school but is very fulfilling and challenging work.
I know that all of the above may seem daunting in the ninth grade, but if you enjoy helping people, solving problems, and working with your hands, surgery is a great field. You'll get through all the schooling in the same way you would eat an elephant-- one bite at a time.
I know that all of the above may seem daunting in the ninth grade, but if you enjoy helping people, solving problems, and working with your hands, surgery is a great field. You'll get through all the schooling in the same way you would eat an elephant-- one bite at a time.
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Hi Sophie, I am a firm believer that there is not one single profession that is right for us. It is about following your curiosities and exploring your interests. I would recommend that you reach out to womens' surgical associations, or find women surgeons through linked in or your local hospital. Ask them for 15 minutes of their time for informational interviews. Have your list of questions ready and show up and be professional. Ask them what they like best, and what has been any unexpected negatives. Information is power. The more informed you are, the better you will feel about your decisions. And as importantly, remember that a lot of what makes us happy is what we put into something. There will be good and bad parts with every job. The important part is to make sure you continue to evaluate along the way. Good luck!
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Try shadowing different professions to see which is right for you.
Also determine what kind of classes you enjoy. Surgeons have completed years of college and medical school with a heavy emphasis on science classes.
Also determine what kind of classes you enjoy. Surgeons have completed years of college and medical school with a heavy emphasis on science classes.