4 answers
Sammy
Student
Mesa, Arizona
3
Questions
Updated
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I want to be both a 7th grade math teacher and a pediatrician. How can I successfully pursue both careers and feel fulfilled by the time I retire?
I aspire to pursue two fulfilling careers: being a 7th grade math teacher and a pediatrician. How can I balance the education and training required for both professions, successfully work in each field during my lifetime, and feel accomplished in these roles by the time I retire?
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4 answers
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
334
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
That is an intriguing and challenging question, Sammy. Here are some thoughts:
- As an undergraduate, you could choose a medically-related major, such as biology or biochemistry. Then you could get a certificate in teaching or get emergency certification if you teach in an economically-challenged area. After teaching for a few years, you could apply to medical school and start your 7-year path to being a pediatrician.
- Alternately, you could go to medical school after being an undergraduate and plan to become a teacher later in your career. At that point, probably getting emergency certification or working in a private school that does not require certification would be good choices.
I am curious about why you chose these two professions. If you identify what you like about each, perhaps you could find what you want in one profession. For example, if you are attracted to sharing your knowledge with others, perhaps you could become a medical school professor or a type of medical educator. If you are attracted to applying math, perhaps you could get more involved in medical research, especially as it relates to children.
Good luck!
- As an undergraduate, you could choose a medically-related major, such as biology or biochemistry. Then you could get a certificate in teaching or get emergency certification if you teach in an economically-challenged area. After teaching for a few years, you could apply to medical school and start your 7-year path to being a pediatrician.
- Alternately, you could go to medical school after being an undergraduate and plan to become a teacher later in your career. At that point, probably getting emergency certification or working in a private school that does not require certification would be good choices.
I am curious about why you chose these two professions. If you identify what you like about each, perhaps you could find what you want in one profession. For example, if you are attracted to sharing your knowledge with others, perhaps you could become a medical school professor or a type of medical educator. If you are attracted to applying math, perhaps you could get more involved in medical research, especially as it relates to children.
Good luck!
Thank you for answering my question. To answer yours, I want to become a teacher because it seems fun, and I believe it’s the path I want to follow. Teaching has been a dream of mine since I was young. I also want to become a Medical Assistant or Pediatrician because I’m passionate about helping patients in a hospital setting. My plan is to teach for five years and then transition into being a Medical Assistant for the rest of my career.
Sammy
Sounds great - I wish you success!
Martha Kramer
Ryan Chuang
Consultant
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hey Sammy, this sounds like an awesome plan, and great that you're thinking about how to plan for it already! As someone who is also balancing multiple interests (and is currently figuring out how to do that), I would make sure to think about the requirements for both careers you're interested in.
Becoming a pediatrician requires attending medical school in addition to traditional undergraduate college, which is important to consider. It's also easier to move from being a doctor to a teacher than vice versa; while both careers require lots of training / education, doctors have very specific requirements that can take a long time.
Also, it's important to think about which career you would like to experience first. Would you like to become a practicing doctor, then teach students using those real life skills? Or would you like to understand the material really well as a teacher, then move to become a doctor afterwards?
Becoming a pediatrician requires attending medical school in addition to traditional undergraduate college, which is important to consider. It's also easier to move from being a doctor to a teacher than vice versa; while both careers require lots of training / education, doctors have very specific requirements that can take a long time.
Also, it's important to think about which career you would like to experience first. Would you like to become a practicing doctor, then teach students using those real life skills? Or would you like to understand the material really well as a teacher, then move to become a doctor afterwards?
Billy Hughes II AS, NRP
Paramedic Escort Special Needs children
3
Answers
New Orleans, Louisiana
Updated
Billy’s Answer
Hi Sammy, great choices in life! You certainly can achieve both because life is a journey not a sprint. Start now with your pre recs for being a teacher. Once you have become a teacher you can continue your journey to become a doctor. While you inspire children you continue your pre recs to become a doctor! It takes a lot of school to be a doctor so be a teacher and later be a doctor. You certainly will be a good humanitarian!
Thank you for the advice, Billy.
Sammy
Brian Rowe
Sales
2
Answers
Medford, Massachusetts
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hello! These are both fantastic options. My best advice is to take courses now and read books related to both careers to try to narrow down and focus once you get to college. I was a high school English teacher before I got into sales and I can't imagine also working toward another career, especially one in medicine, at the same time. These careers both impact the lives of young people immensely and can both be very rewarding, but you will need to focus entirely on whichever you choose. Best of luck!