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Why did you decide to be a pediatrician? What inspired you?
Hello! My name is Andrea and I am a current high school student. I'm conducting an interview with a professional in the Pediatrician field for a Foundations in Health Science Class project about careers! I have created a total of 12 questions. Please comment on this post, answering all 12 questions to be a part of my assignment.
1)How many years of college did you need to go through? What other programs, courses, and clubs did you join or do?
2)What jobs did you work before you became a pediatrician? What did you think of them?
3)How can I decide if I want to get a PH.D. in this field?
4)Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later time?
5)Did you need to shadow another professional in the field before becoming a pediatrician?
6)Was there a subject you struggled with during your school years?
7)What skill sets did you learn or gain while being in this profession?
8) Why did you choose a career in medicine? Why did you choose this specialty?
9)Do you regret going through the years of schooling?
10) What skills would you recommend someone to have before trying to get into this field?
11) What keeps you motivated?
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Gurpreet Lally
CareerVillage.org TeamSr. Community Manager at CareerVillage
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Gurpreet’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Unfortunately, I am not a pediatrician but I would love to help with your project so I've done some research that you might find helpful!
1) What profession did you choose Why?
Oftentimes, people become physicians, therapists, nurses, etc., so that they can help people. I'm guessing that's the big reason for becoming a pediatrician! Being a pediatrician also allows people to have financial stability and to work with kids. You might want to check this thread out: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/501322/what-inspired-you-to-do-this-job
2)How many years of college did you need to go through?
It looks like you will need to do around 11 years of schooling. 4 years in your undergraduate, 4 years in med school, and three years doing pediatric residency (source: Unfortunately, I am not a pediatrician but I would love to help with your project so I've done some research that you might find helpful!
1) What profession did you choose Why?
Oftentimes, people become physicians, therapists, nurses, etc., so that they can help people. I'm guessing that's the big reason for becoming a pediatrician! Being a pediatrician also allows people to have financial stability and to work with kids.
2)How many years of college did you need to go through?
It looks like you will need to go through 11 years of schooling. Four years of undergrad, four years of med school, and three years of residency (source: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/693247/what-is-the-path-on-becoming-a-pediatrician). However, there may be ways to cut off a few years such as taking AP classes, finding combined programs, etc (source: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/546662/are-there-any-ways-i-can-fast-forward-college-and-spend-less-time-there)
3)What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
Because of the dedication required to become a pediatrician, most people's first jobs in this field is medical related. Sometimes, students might choose to work while attending school so that they can pay for tuition and other expenses but those jobs are more tutoring, service, and retail-related.
4)How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
As a pediatrician, you will be getting your MD (Doctor of Medicine Degree) which the highest level you can achieve in this profession. It wouldn't make sense unless you were interested in research, in which case, you could go back to school for your Ph.D or enroll in a dual-enrollment program that combines your MD and Ph.D. (source: https://students-residents.aamc.org/md-phd-dual-degree-training/md-phd-right-me#:~:text=There%20are%20four%20pathways%20to,to%20earn%20an%20MD%20degree.)
5)Were you in a college program?
I cant answer this from experience but most schools have organizations, co-ed fraternities, and clubs that are related to the medical field. Here is a thread of what you can do in high school to prepare: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/665849/what-courses-and-activities-can-students-engage-in-when-attending-high-school-that-will-help-prepare-them-for-the-medical-health-care-field
6)Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
Most people do not go back once they finish their schooling. However, there are exceptions such as people who take time off in between school in order to save money for tuition.
7)Did you shadow another professional in the field?
I would HIGHLY recommend shadowing, regardless of the field that you end up pursing! Sometimes, you think you'll love something just to try it and realize it's not for you. That's completely okay!
8) Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
Same answer as number 5
9) Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
There are always going to be difficult subjects but that shouldn't deter you from your goals! I was a psychology major and had to take a calculus class. For most people, that's not a big deal but as someone who has struggled with math since middle school, it felt like the end of the world. Well, I took the class and knowing that I would have a hard time, I put all my effort into it. I did all the homework, did practice problems, and studied my butt off. It ended up paying off in a big way! I had the highest grade in the class. If you work hard enough, anything is possible.
10) What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
I would say the top skills you will learn and/or perfect are communication (you have to talk with nurses, other doctors, patients, and their parents) and critical thinking (diagnosing and problem-solving). You can check out this list on ONet: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1221.00?redir=29-1065.00
11) What was the last stressful situation you encountered in your job, and how did you react?
I would refer you to this thread about stress in the field: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/685391/does-one-absolutely-need-to-be-good-under-pressure-and-stress-to-be-a-pediatric-nurse-if-so-is-it-possible-to-improve-how-you-handle-pressure
12)What's one challenge you occasionally or regularly face in your job?
I would like to refer you to this post that looks at the pros/cons of the profession: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/653890/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-to-becoming-a-pediatrician
13) What is your philosophy with medicine and treating patients?)
This is an AMAZING question and I hope a pediatrician can answer it for you!
I hope this helps but please let me know if this didn't address your questions and I can try my best to find some other sources. Wishing you the best of luck!
1) What profession did you choose Why?
Oftentimes, people become physicians, therapists, nurses, etc., so that they can help people. I'm guessing that's the big reason for becoming a pediatrician! Being a pediatrician also allows people to have financial stability and to work with kids. You might want to check this thread out: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/501322/what-inspired-you-to-do-this-job
2)How many years of college did you need to go through?
It looks like you will need to do around 11 years of schooling. 4 years in your undergraduate, 4 years in med school, and three years doing pediatric residency (source: Unfortunately, I am not a pediatrician but I would love to help with your project so I've done some research that you might find helpful!
1) What profession did you choose Why?
Oftentimes, people become physicians, therapists, nurses, etc., so that they can help people. I'm guessing that's the big reason for becoming a pediatrician! Being a pediatrician also allows people to have financial stability and to work with kids.
2)How many years of college did you need to go through?
It looks like you will need to go through 11 years of schooling. Four years of undergrad, four years of med school, and three years of residency (source: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/693247/what-is-the-path-on-becoming-a-pediatrician). However, there may be ways to cut off a few years such as taking AP classes, finding combined programs, etc (source: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/546662/are-there-any-ways-i-can-fast-forward-college-and-spend-less-time-there)
3)What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
Because of the dedication required to become a pediatrician, most people's first jobs in this field is medical related. Sometimes, students might choose to work while attending school so that they can pay for tuition and other expenses but those jobs are more tutoring, service, and retail-related.
4)How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
As a pediatrician, you will be getting your MD (Doctor of Medicine Degree) which the highest level you can achieve in this profession. It wouldn't make sense unless you were interested in research, in which case, you could go back to school for your Ph.D or enroll in a dual-enrollment program that combines your MD and Ph.D. (source: https://students-residents.aamc.org/md-phd-dual-degree-training/md-phd-right-me#:~:text=There%20are%20four%20pathways%20to,to%20earn%20an%20MD%20degree.)
5)Were you in a college program?
I cant answer this from experience but most schools have organizations, co-ed fraternities, and clubs that are related to the medical field. Here is a thread of what you can do in high school to prepare: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/665849/what-courses-and-activities-can-students-engage-in-when-attending-high-school-that-will-help-prepare-them-for-the-medical-health-care-field
6)Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
Most people do not go back once they finish their schooling. However, there are exceptions such as people who take time off in between school in order to save money for tuition.
7)Did you shadow another professional in the field?
I would HIGHLY recommend shadowing, regardless of the field that you end up pursing! Sometimes, you think you'll love something just to try it and realize it's not for you. That's completely okay!
8) Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
Same answer as number 5
9) Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
There are always going to be difficult subjects but that shouldn't deter you from your goals! I was a psychology major and had to take a calculus class. For most people, that's not a big deal but as someone who has struggled with math since middle school, it felt like the end of the world. Well, I took the class and knowing that I would have a hard time, I put all my effort into it. I did all the homework, did practice problems, and studied my butt off. It ended up paying off in a big way! I had the highest grade in the class. If you work hard enough, anything is possible.
10) What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
I would say the top skills you will learn and/or perfect are communication (you have to talk with nurses, other doctors, patients, and their parents) and critical thinking (diagnosing and problem-solving). You can check out this list on ONet: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1221.00?redir=29-1065.00
11) What was the last stressful situation you encountered in your job, and how did you react?
I would refer you to this thread about stress in the field: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/685391/does-one-absolutely-need-to-be-good-under-pressure-and-stress-to-be-a-pediatric-nurse-if-so-is-it-possible-to-improve-how-you-handle-pressure
12)What's one challenge you occasionally or regularly face in your job?
I would like to refer you to this post that looks at the pros/cons of the profession: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/653890/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-to-becoming-a-pediatrician
13) What is your philosophy with medicine and treating patients?)
This is an AMAZING question and I hope a pediatrician can answer it for you!
I hope this helps but please let me know if this didn't address your questions and I can try my best to find some other sources. Wishing you the best of luck!