3 answers
Ryley
Student
14
Questions
Asked
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What are some careers?
I am currently interested in the medical field but am not sure of the specific job. I think I would love moving around, walking throughout the hospital, meeting new people, but I’m not sure if I enjoy the blood or nasty aspect of some hospital jobs. Any ideas ?
3 answers
John McCann
Research Tech
19
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
John’s Answer
Hey Ryley,
Thanks for asking about my line of work! I've had the opportunity to delve into a variety of research fields. My first gig was focused on studying emphysema and cystic fibrosis - two conditions that are quite interrelated. My role involved administering a specific chemical (or antigen) to animals like mice, rabbits, goats, and sheep. This antigen would trigger a reaction in these animals, causing them to produce antibodies against it.
We would then extract blood from these animals, separate the antibodies from the blood serum, and use these antibodies in our experiments. Our goal was to detect the presence of the antigen in human blood samples using various immunological tests.
Currently, I'm working in the realm of pediatric medicine. We collect small blood samples from children (with their parents' consent, of course) to test for sepsis. This condition occurs when two or more organ systems in the body are infected, such as the lungs and heart.
The knowledge that my work contributes to helping these kids and potentially many more in the future is an immense reward for me. While some might prioritize monetary gains in their job, I find the most satisfaction in knowing that my work can make a difference in someone's life.
My wife shares this sentiment. She's a nurse, and her decision to enter this field was influenced by her childhood experiences. Her mother battled cancer and passed away when she was young. Growing up with her father, brothers, and sister, she was always the one who was there to care for her mother. Her brothers had their own families, and her sister was about to move out when their mother was diagnosed.
Ryley, if you have any more questions or if there's anything else you'd like to know, please feel free to reach out to me anytime.
Best,
John
Thanks for asking about my line of work! I've had the opportunity to delve into a variety of research fields. My first gig was focused on studying emphysema and cystic fibrosis - two conditions that are quite interrelated. My role involved administering a specific chemical (or antigen) to animals like mice, rabbits, goats, and sheep. This antigen would trigger a reaction in these animals, causing them to produce antibodies against it.
We would then extract blood from these animals, separate the antibodies from the blood serum, and use these antibodies in our experiments. Our goal was to detect the presence of the antigen in human blood samples using various immunological tests.
Currently, I'm working in the realm of pediatric medicine. We collect small blood samples from children (with their parents' consent, of course) to test for sepsis. This condition occurs when two or more organ systems in the body are infected, such as the lungs and heart.
The knowledge that my work contributes to helping these kids and potentially many more in the future is an immense reward for me. While some might prioritize monetary gains in their job, I find the most satisfaction in knowing that my work can make a difference in someone's life.
My wife shares this sentiment. She's a nurse, and her decision to enter this field was influenced by her childhood experiences. Her mother battled cancer and passed away when she was young. Growing up with her father, brothers, and sister, she was always the one who was there to care for her mother. Her brothers had their own families, and her sister was about to move out when their mother was diagnosed.
Ryley, if you have any more questions or if there's anything else you'd like to know, please feel free to reach out to me anytime.
Best,
John
Thank you so much! From your experience in the medical field, is there any other job that you would really recommend or wish you would have pursued that gives good pay for the amount of schooling? Also, would your wife still recommend nursing to this day? I’m interested in that a little bit as well
Ryley
Rebecca Miller
emergency physician
3
Answers
Crockett, California
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
I think I would start by asking what part of working in a hospital interests you - you can move around in a lot of other jobs. What that location? Suggestions will be better once you can relate that!
I’m interested in talking and meeting new people and helping them !
Ryley
then there are lots of jobs in a hospital where you can meet and help people
maybe something to think about is how deeply you want to get to know people - a lot of physician and nurse job move very quickly so the interaction is superficial. social work may be a good match if you want more interaction - or - hospice nursing where you work with more of he same people for longer.
Rebecca Miller
Melissa McQueen
Attorney
10
Answers
Georgetown, Kentucky
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
You might call your local hospitals to see if they have volunteer positions available (formerly known as candy stripers due to the striped uniforms they used to wear). These volunteers usually walk around delivering cards to patients or just stopping by to say hi. COVID likely changed a lot of the way that position operates so it's best to check with the hospital directly. If you can find a position as a volunteer, it would get you into the hospital and walking around meeting people, and you could then decide if that environment is right for you or not. Best of luck to you!
Thanks for your encouragement!
Ryley
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