Medical Career Advice

Jul 19, 2005 04:32 PM

by aspenice

I am having a difficult time deciding on a health career and was hoping you can give your 2 cents. I am 30 years old and have a BS degree in Business. I really didn't enjoy the business world. I have always had a passion for healthcare. I was drawn to it. I am expecting my 1st baby on Oct. 1. It is a great surprise since I was told I couldn't have children due to severe endometriosis.
Anyways, I want to continue my education but have some obstacles in my way of thinking. I would like a job that gives me flexibility and opportunities and is pretty secure. I also would like to continue with a master's and not go back for a BS degree. Money isn't very important but I should not make pennies either. I really enjoy teaching and healthcare issues as well as research. I am seeing a career counselor but her advice wouldn't be as good as yours who work in the medical field and know the in's and out's of different career paths. Any suggestions?

Thank you in advance.

aduke · Jul 19, 2005, 10:58 PM

I was in your shoes a few years back, I worked as a banker, but found no fulfilment, not even the money was a consolation. Everyone thought I was crazy when I left it all. But I bless God everyday for that decision.
I went into the medical field- Public Health. The opportunities are enormous. Field trips are wonderful, and depending on the project you are working on, you have colleagues from different countries and different races on your team. It is a wondeful experience.
I can assure all the projects required hard work, especially the UN projects, but I never felt the pressure cos I was doing what I loved. So if your heart is in the medical field, go for it, there will be challenges, but you won't even notice them cos you are too busy loving what you do.
All the best!

Originally Posted by aspenice

I am having a difficult time deciding on a health career and was hoping you can give your 2 cents. I am 30 years old and have a BS degree in Business. I really didn't enjoy the business world. I have always had a passion for healthcare. I was drawn to it. I am expecting my 1st baby on Oct. 1. It is a great surprise since I was told I couldn't have children due to severe endometriosis.
Anyways, I want to continue my education but have some obstacles in my way of thinking. I would like a job that gives me flexibility and opportunities and is pretty secure. I also would like to continue with a master's and not go back for a BS degree. Money isn't very important but I should not make pennies either. I really enjoy teaching and healthcare issues as well as research. I am seeing a career counselor but her advice wouldn't be as good as yours who work in the medical field and know the in's and out's of different career paths. Any suggestions?

Thank you in advance.

aspenice · Jul 20, 2005, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by aduke

I was in your shoes a few years back, I worked as a banker, but found no fulfilment, not even the money was a consolation. Everyone thought I was crazy when I left it all. But I bless God everyday for that decision.
I went into the medical field- Public Health. The opportunities are enormous. Field trips are wonderful, and depending on the project you are working on, you have colleagues from different countries and different races on your team. It is a wondeful experience.
I can assure all the projects required hard work, especially the UN projects, but I never felt the pressure cos I was doing what I loved. So if your heart is in the medical field, go for it, there will be challenges, but you won't even notice them cos you are too busy loving what you do.
All the best!

Hi Aduke,
Thanks for the sound advice. I have done alot of job shadowing and there are jobs I like in the healthcare field. I was a nurses aide for a couple of years and even though I liked it; it didn't seem to bring out my passions. Maybe that was b/c I was worked like a dog and I was 20 years old and had other ambitions at that age. I can't see myself as a floor nurse. I see myself out in the community and doing research and teaching. Can you tell me more about what is your speciality in Pub. Health? Where are you going to school? What are the job opps like? Since I have no medical degree background will this pose a huge problem? What can I do to gain experience to get into a MPH program? Look forward to hearing from you.

Jenn

aduke · Jul 22, 2005, 09:27 PM

Sorry I am only just replying this.
Yes an MPH will definately open the door of Public Health to you. I guess you are also intrested in Field Work instead of bed side nursing.
All the projects I did were in Africa. The last one being the WHO Polio Eradication Initiative. Other than WHO, there are several other International NGOs you could work with- MSF(Doctors Without Borders), Helen Keller Foundation, Jimmy Carter Foundation. The list is endless. Your field of interest may also affect your choice of project, for instance I know HKF is involved in Nutrition, while JCF is involved in Guniea Worm Eradication.
There are short courses that could also lead you in the right direction e.g ECTE(European Course in Tropical Epidemilology) I think it will take place in England this year. I attended in 2000,when it took place in Italy. Other than the the academic knowledge, the networking is incredible! And you have participants from all over the world. You may want to look into it. I think it will come up in September.
If you need any more infornation, you may send me an email adukee@hotmail.com Don't be discouraged if I don't repond immediately, But I always do!

All the best.
Aduke.

Originally Posted by aspenice

Hi Aduke,
Thanks for the sound advice. I have done alot of job shadowing and there are jobs I like in the healthcare field. I was a nurses aide for a couple of years and even though I liked it; it didn't seem to bring out my passions. Maybe that was b/c I was worked like a dog and I was 20 years old and had other ambitions at that age. I can't see myself as a floor nurse. I see myself out in the community and doing research and teaching. Can you tell me more about what is your speciality in Pub. Health? Where are you going to school? What are the job opps like? Since I have no medical degree background will this pose a huge problem? What can I do to gain experience to get into a MPH program? Look forward to hearing from you.

Jenn

Leaf · Jul 26, 2005, 11:32 PM

base on what you have shared, your not happy(too obious isnt it?) and a bit confuse, I understand your condition right now. maybe you need some time to relax and be happy(happy!!! shalalala! its so nice to be happy!!!) then decide on what career to take. as simple as that, try it if u want.

in medical field... hmmm my father is a pediatrician and i always find him happy in his job. he always has a way to get along with children especially the stuborn ones. he told me to take up nursing as a pre med cuz nursing is all about caring while doctors do the curing, to sum up, medicine is a flexible job.

wait a second, what are the things that interest you? meeting people?tell me about it

aspenice · Jul 27, 2005, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by Leaf

base on what you have shared, your not happy(too obious isnt it?) and a bit confuse, I understand your condition right now. maybe you need some time to relax and be happy(happy!!! shalalala! its so nice to be happy!!!) then decide on what career to take. as simple as that, try it if u want.

in medical field... hmmm my father is a pediatrician and i always find him happy in his job. he always has a way to get along with children especially the stuborn ones. he told me to take up nursing as a pre med cuz nursing is all about caring while doctors do the curing, to sum up, medicine is a flexible job.

wait a second, what are the things that interest you? meeting people?tell me about it

Hi Leaf,
The things that interest me is side effects of drugs and movement disorders (tardive dyskinesia, dystonia, etc) I was a victim (mistake) by medical professionals ( the ones I work with don't even deserve that much respect) and I am bound and determines to make others aware of what drugs can do. I like to think outside the box. I very much like alternative (functional medicine) therapies. I love to teach. I also like structure. I am seeing a career counselor now thru my husband's work and we are working on a plan. I guess I will see how it goes. It seems as if I have been working on my career since I gradauted college.

Leaf · Jul 28, 2005, 09:12 AM

Is there anything more that you’re interested in? What were your dreams when you’re still a child? Maybe that would help

aspenice · Jul 28, 2005, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Leaf

Is there anything more that you’re interested in? What were your dreams when you’re still a child? Maybe that would help

Nope.

aspenice · Jul 30, 2005, 09:20 PM

I have decided to pursue one of the two careers. After many hours of work and research I have come to the conclusion I should become a teacher or an occupational therapist. I am working on which I would prefer.

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