I always thought getting into college would be tough, then maybe getting into medical school. Now, as I look back, I think those were much easier than getting into RESIDENCY! I guess every step just gets harder, but you learn and eventually make it!
Third year almost coming to an end: finished internal medicine, surgery and PEDIATRICS! and now doing Ob-Gyn! I have Neurology left, and then Im off to NYC for 2 months for my clinical experience in Peds in NYC! I'm EXCITED!!
My clerkships are a major part of my life as I acquire the skills and knowledge in the various fields, but we are also quite preoccupied in choosing our future. Our class is deciding whether we want to be a clinician, pathologist, radiologist, or a surgeon. It is a tougher choice than Id imagined. We have probably spent hours contemplating on our future. These are a few of the questions we are answering as we choose a field of choice:
1. Do I want to have a field with focus on academics, research, mostly clinical work, or a balance of them all?
2. How do I decide between all the fields I enjoyed(and maybe for some people hated)?
3. Should lifestyle be important?
4 Can I have time for a family with my career? Get married during residency?
5. Length of training?
6. Job in the future and where Id want to work?
7. Grades, research requirement for certain fields and competition?
8. Accept IMG's?
9. AND the MOST IMPORTANT Question: Where do I see and feel the spark? Do I have a passion? and What will I be able to do best?
For me, I have been thinking about pediatrics-genetics before I started medical school, but I was always ready to change my field if I saw the spark in another field. But I guess, my passion lies in peds-genetics!
Currently, the dream is becoming a reality as I am working on the paperwork for electives, discuss with faculty, and applications.
So where do I see myself in 10yrs, 20yrs, 30yrs? Well, as many of you know, I always say "wherever my life leads me! Im always open to new ideas and challenges!"
