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How can you figure out what path to take when getting into the medical field?

As someone who wants to get into the medical field, I am still unsure on what career path to take. How would I know what path I should take in such as big field? I am personally interested in dermatology, however, I am unsure if I want to go through med school.

medicine healthcare doctor medical-school medical hospital-and-health-care medical-education medical-field
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Michael’s Answer

Hi Heaven:

In order to become a certified Dermatologist, the educational pathway will require one to successfully complete medical school. While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare to be a Dermatologist. Physics, chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra, calculus and statistics will be needed. Both concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.

Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Dermatologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with hospital and clinical staff and patients. A college course in Public Speaking, Communication and English will help with one's communication and writing skills.

To become a Dermatologist, a Bachelor Degree in Biology, pre-med or another science related field has to be earned at a college or university. Afterwards, a doctorate degree from an accredited medical school has to be obtained. The next phase will be training through a medical residency as well as medical certification and licensing.

For education and training, it will take up to 14 years to become a Dermatologist. The Bachelor Degree will be between 4-5 years. Medical school will be another 4-5 years. Medical residency, medical certification and licensing can take up to 3-4 years.

Being a Dermatologist can be a demanding and rewarding profession, especially depending if there is a specialized field or concentration. Remember, as a Dermatologist, you are the professional who impacts the lives of your patients.

While in college, here are some undergraduate degrees to major in order to become a Dermatologist:

- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry

It will be best to seek advice from your high school guidance counselor as well as teachers to help you focus your interests for a specific major in college.

According to Indeed.com and U.S. News & World Report, here are a couple of links that will provide an overview educational pathway to become a Dermatologist:

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-dermatologist

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/articles/what-a-dermatologist-is-and-how-to-become-one-a-guide-for-aspiring-doctors#:~:text=Dermatology%20is%20a%20highly%20selective,a%20career%20within%20the%20field.

According to U.S. News & World Report, here is an overview of pursuing medical school:

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools

According to U.S. News & World Report, here are the top colleges and universities to consider for Medical School:

- Harvard University
- John Hopkins University
- University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
- Stanford University
- University of California (San Francisco)
- Vanderbilt University
- Washington University (St. Louis)
- Cornell University (Weill)
- New York University (Grossman)
- Yale University

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankings

When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:

- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral

There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.

Scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. Scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.

You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.

Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:

https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/

https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships

Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.

Best wishes for your education and career path as a Dermatologist!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Heaven
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Tavorius’s Answer

I would look into shadowing a few medical careers that way you can see and get understand what each field does. This is another way to actually see if these careers peak your interest
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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Heaven,

Choosing a medical career can seem overwhelming due to the multitude of choices. It's essential to ponder your interests, skills, and long-term objectives. If you're unsure about which direction to take, here are some steps to streamline your decision-making process.

1. Self-assessment and exploration: Start by examining your interests, values, and strong points. Think about what parts of medicine you find most appealing and match your personal goals. Investigate various medical specialties to understand their scope, prerequisites, and career prospects. Try to shadow or volunteer in different healthcare environments to gain practical experience and insights.

2. Investigate educational routes: Once you've pinpointed your interests, look into the educational routes needed for each career choice. The medical field offers professions with different educational and training levels. For instance, to become a dermatologist, you need to finish medical school and a dermatology residency. However, other options like physician assistant or nurse practitioner require less schooling but still allow you to work in dermatology or similar fields.

3. Get advice from professionals: Connect with professionals in the medical field, especially those in your potential specialties. They can offer valuable insights into their daily tasks, challenges, and career rewards. Also, consider talking to academic advisors or career counselors for guidance tailored to your personal situation and objectives.

4. Think about lifestyle factors: When choosing a medical career, lifestyle factors are crucial. Some specialties may demand long hours, unpredictable schedules, or extensive on-call duties, while others may offer more work-life balance. Reflect on how these factors align with your personal preferences and priorities.

5. Consider alternative roles: If you're hesitant about the long and rigorous path of medical school, think about other roles within the medical field. There are many allied health professions, like medical lab science, radiography, or physical therapy, that offer fulfilling careers with less demanding education requirements.

6. Stay updated on industry trends: The medical field is always changing with new technologies, treatments, and research. Keep up with industry news and trends to understand how they might affect different specialties. This will help you make informed decisions about which path best aligns with your long-term goals and interests.

In conclusion, selecting a medical career requires thoughtful consideration of personal interests, education requirements, lifestyle factors, and long-term objectives. It's crucial to explore different options, seek professional advice, and reflect on your aspirations before deciding.

Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications:

1. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - www.aamc.org
2. American Medical Association (AMA) - www.ama-assn.org
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - www.bls.gov

God Bless You Abundantly,
James.
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Madison’s Answer

You want to consider what role in the patients care you want to play most, what type of leadership you may or may not want on the team, what specific skills/tasks you’re interested in learning, the years of schooling ect should be balanced with this decision
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Hwal’s Answer

Heaven,

It looks like you're interested in medicine. I feel like that in itself is progress, because a career in health care gives you what seems like endless options to choose from, but not all healthcare professionals practice medicine and you seem to have focused your interest on medicine, especially because you specifically mentioned dermatology.

I recognise myself in your dilemma because several years ago, I was also looking at all the different healthcare careers and considered pretty all of them at one time or another. There must be things about medicine that you like and think you would enjoy. I would encourage you to look closely at what medical professionals do each day, to decide if that's truly what you would like to pursue, if only because the training to become a medical professional takes considerable time, tuition, and patience.

I'm a family medicine PA and, as licensed medical professionals, PAs work on every medical specialty and healthcare setting, including dermatology. Feel free to take a look at these steps to become a PA, available on the AAPA (American Academy of PAs) website:

https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2018/08/6-steps-become-pa/

And what PAs in different specialties do, available on PAs Do That websites:

https://www.pasdothat.net/

I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with. Good luck!

Hwal
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Godfrey’s Answer

That's great inquiry, welcome to the medical field,One needs to follow their passion in whatever they do,so consider what you feel good doing,if it's being close to children then pediatrics will be good for you,if you would like working with electronic devices willthin the medical field the Radiology would be ideal,if you like empowering women the medically obsgyn would be ideal,If you like to identify the disease cause and relationship then medical epidemiology fits that.So just try to identify your passion within the medical field then you can identify a path
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Christina’s Answer

I was in your shoes. The most valuable experience for me was to do a rotating osteopathic internship, where I experienced various fields throughout a year. This not only let me experience what worked for me intellectually, but also what lifestyles were like in each field. Good luck!
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Christina’s Answer

There are many fields in healthcare from medical assistants and EMT to therapists (occupational, respiratory, physical) to nurses and doctors. Dermatologists are physicians, but many doctors work with advanced practitioners such as nurses and physician assistants. Dermatology is very competitive and if you want to be a dermatologist, be prepared for a competitive landscape. To help you decide, I suggest you contact a dermatology practice and ask to shadow them for a while.
Your school may have career days, so take advantage of those as well. You may also want to get a job in a healthcare setting. There are many roles that can be filled in offices. That is important to help you determine what you like vs. what you though you liked vs. what you really don't like! Good luck

Christina recommends the following next steps:

Call dermatologist offices and ask to shadow.
Attend career fairs.
Take a part-time job in a healthcare setting.
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