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What are the steps i need to take to reach my career goal?
i would like to work with athletes as a sports physician, what education/social steps would I have to take?
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Vickie’s Answer
Hi Angie!
It sounds like you might be interested in becoming a sports medicine physician. This is entail going to medical school.
After high school, you'll need to attend college and receive a bachelor's degree. In college, you can major in anything you'd like. Many people like to pick a science major because the classes that are required for your bachelor's degree will often overlap with the additional pre-medical course requirements. Pre-med course requirements usually entail a combination of physics, organic and physical chemistry, biology, math, and English courses. During college, you'll also have opportunities to get involved with volunteering in your community, research, and clinical experiences (like shadowing a doctor) - these are all great things to have your resume before you apply to medical school. Once you've completed your pre-med course work, there is a standardized exam called the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). This is a standardized exam that applicants must take when applying to medical school.
You also have the decision of when you'd like to attend medical school. Some choose to start medical school right after their college years. Some will take a few years off after graduating college to get more work and life experience. The average age of entering medical school students is now around 24 years old so if you don't feel ready for medical school right after college, don't worry!
Medical school is 4 years. Traditionally, the first two years are called your pre-clinicals. This is where you spend two years learning all of your basic sciences and organ systems in a classroom setting. During your last two years, these are called your clinical years. This is where you're out at the hospital or clinic setting working with doctors and other healthcare providers and you get to see patients! Medical school is where you learn all the basics to becoming a doctor. In addition to studying for many exams during these years, you continue to pursue volunteering, research, and clinical experiences. After graduating medical school, completing a residency program is where you specialize into what kind of doctor you actually want to be (ie. family doctor, emergency doctor, surgeon, etc).
In order for you to get to sport medicine physician, you can choose a residency program in either family medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, or orthopedics. These all can range anywhere from 3-5 years. After residency, you complete what's called a fellowship. A fellowship is additional training in a specific field - in this case, you'd be choosing to do a sports medicine fellowship which is usually an additional 1-2 years depending on the program.
I know this is a lot to take in but don't feel discouraged! It's all about taking it one step at a time. Depending on where you are in your education right now, my biggest advice is to build healthy study habits. Make sure you're creating a sustainable routine for your body and mind! Try to look around and see how you can get involved in your community through volunteering. I'd also highly suggest trying to find a sports medicine doctor you could shadow, that way you can see what their day-to-day life looks like.
https://explorehealthcareers.org/career/sports-medicine/primary-care-sports-medicine-physician/
It sounds like you might be interested in becoming a sports medicine physician. This is entail going to medical school.
After high school, you'll need to attend college and receive a bachelor's degree. In college, you can major in anything you'd like. Many people like to pick a science major because the classes that are required for your bachelor's degree will often overlap with the additional pre-medical course requirements. Pre-med course requirements usually entail a combination of physics, organic and physical chemistry, biology, math, and English courses. During college, you'll also have opportunities to get involved with volunteering in your community, research, and clinical experiences (like shadowing a doctor) - these are all great things to have your resume before you apply to medical school. Once you've completed your pre-med course work, there is a standardized exam called the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). This is a standardized exam that applicants must take when applying to medical school.
You also have the decision of when you'd like to attend medical school. Some choose to start medical school right after their college years. Some will take a few years off after graduating college to get more work and life experience. The average age of entering medical school students is now around 24 years old so if you don't feel ready for medical school right after college, don't worry!
Medical school is 4 years. Traditionally, the first two years are called your pre-clinicals. This is where you spend two years learning all of your basic sciences and organ systems in a classroom setting. During your last two years, these are called your clinical years. This is where you're out at the hospital or clinic setting working with doctors and other healthcare providers and you get to see patients! Medical school is where you learn all the basics to becoming a doctor. In addition to studying for many exams during these years, you continue to pursue volunteering, research, and clinical experiences. After graduating medical school, completing a residency program is where you specialize into what kind of doctor you actually want to be (ie. family doctor, emergency doctor, surgeon, etc).
In order for you to get to sport medicine physician, you can choose a residency program in either family medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, or orthopedics. These all can range anywhere from 3-5 years. After residency, you complete what's called a fellowship. A fellowship is additional training in a specific field - in this case, you'd be choosing to do a sports medicine fellowship which is usually an additional 1-2 years depending on the program.
I know this is a lot to take in but don't feel discouraged! It's all about taking it one step at a time. Depending on where you are in your education right now, my biggest advice is to build healthy study habits. Make sure you're creating a sustainable routine for your body and mind! Try to look around and see how you can get involved in your community through volunteering. I'd also highly suggest trying to find a sports medicine doctor you could shadow, that way you can see what their day-to-day life looks like.
Vickie recommends the following next steps: