Hi im a 16 yr old and i'm really interested by science and medicine and am considering pursueing a medical career.. i know it's still early but i'd like to know if you would advise a specific field ? thnx
200036
Things to consider are what you naturally have an interest in, the nature of the competition within the field, and the amount of time you are willing to commit for schooling and 'on-call' once working.  \n\nIf you are an athlete, orthopaedics may be a way to go.  If you love kids, pediatrics or a special field within a field - like pediatric oncology.  If you find the interaction with the body's systems and nerves interesting, neurology could be an option.  \n\nIf you don't want a ton of Emergency Department time ruling your life, Cardio, GI, and General Surgery may not be for you.  If you don't like death or dying, oncology is out.  If you don't like sick people in pain, rhumatology may not be great.  \n\nDifferent fields have different 'Internship' lengths.  For some, it's only 2 years after med school graduation.  For some it's 6-7.  This is something serious to consider as you won't be making good money during this time and your student loans will still be accruing interest.  \n\nAt 16, you have to start seriously considering your grades and extra-curricular activities.  Start looking at Bio and Chem programs near you and around the country.  Find out what they require, and shoot to exceed those goals.  \n\nGoodl uck in whatever field you decide to follow! :)
89717
I was in the field as a registered MT for almost 20 years. Its rewarding, but tedious. You will likely specialize in one area (hematology, blood bank, serology, chemistry, microbiology, etc) and grow bored rather quickly after learining the routine. Also, work in a hospital is political and you start at the very bottom.  I suggest a back-up plan. Take some education courses if possible. Math and science teachers are in great demand. If you want to progress in status and pay, an advanced degree (MS) is required. You could take the specialist exams for hematology, micro or chemistry, but they don't carry the same weight as an MBA or MS degree.   As a med tech, you are 'ancillary medical service' or 'allied health service'. You will quickly realize that your expertise is helping to save lives and make proper diagnoses, but you will never recieve acknowledgement of this directly.  Good luck.
588005
Well, I'm not one yet, but soon! That's what I'm in college for. Demand is extremely high for this area, as it is a field that is constantly developing and in use. The following is a great site on Nuclear Medicine Technologists, as well as any other career you may be considering.
63148
You'll get a lot of people who tell you that going to med school was a mistake because they work too many hours for too few pay. Of course, they went to the wrong field and should have been a lawyer or gone into business (that's what they all tell me). They went into medicine for the wrong reason. If you like medicine and like treating people and don't care about money, it's great. \n\nOf course, if you're really smart and play your cards right, you can make lots of money and not necessarily with patient care. You have to work hard, make connections and look for these opportunities and they won't just pop up. It will take a while for things to develop. Don't expect people to hand you things in life or medicine.\n\nOf course, the education that comes with being a doctor can only open doors for you and not close them. You can also work in research, consulation, pharm companies, administration, teach, etc. The possibilities are endless. But you have to know you really want to be a doctor. I've talked to a lot of doctors who tell me of associates who quit and went to law school or business school in their 40's.
150298
You are YOUNG and here's what my mother said to me (my mother by the way is a Professor of Business Management and got her Bachelor's, Master's, then PhD all while I was growing up - starting at age 21- and she's had a GREAT career); anyway, she said, when I was going to be going to Graduate School a little bit later than other people, "You're going to be 25 anyway- wouldn't you rather be 25 with a Master's Degree?"  Of course the answer for me was yes.  Also, when I got there, there were people of ALL ages and I never thought about it again.  You probably won't either once you do it.\n\nBy all means, do what you want to do with your life - some people don't decide to go to medical school until they are in their 30's or later.  You don't want to have regrets later.  Go for it :)  \n\nTake care...
302689
1st of all, UC Davis and U of Iowa are two of the best universities for the field you are considering.  2nd: the other answer is correct: although doctors have terrible handwriting, spelling, especially grammar and diction, are of utmost importance to the field.  I would focus on linguistics, computer science and biochemistry/biology during your undergraduate study, meaning pick one of these fields and focus on it while taking classes and earning minors or certifications within the others, and then consider your options for medical school.  It is insanely difficult to gain acceptance to medical school, and the first step is confidence.  If you focus on the right classes and keep a GPA in high school and college of at least 3.7 on a 4.0 scale, you should do fine... but if your grades are below this range you will probably find placement in medical school extremely difficult.  Study the subjects you excel in the most to keep your grades high, and take it from there.  Good luck!
532425
Not only is a doctor a job that is about saving people's lives but you make the world a better place.  Now if you want to look at it from a financial stand point.  Many jobs come and go like being in the oil business.  One day maybe sometime soon we will run out of oil or stop using it.  So then all of those people lose their jobs.  But being a doctor, you never lose your job.  People are always getting sick or hurt so they are always needing help from  a medical authority.  If you are a "people person" or you like making new friends and talking to people this would also be a great opportunity. You get to meet lots of new people and you get to be friends with your patients.  I think that being in the medical field is a great job and has great points or things that you can do with it.  Another point of the financial stand point is that doctors are paid generously.  If anything above interests you I highly suggest you getting into the medical field. <3
671496
First, time in education is never a good way to make a decision when selecting a career. Most will tell you to do what want to do to be happy. Interestingly, most people do like money. Since your question specifically addresses three different career choices, the best choice is to be a doctor. Why? The US Dept. of Labor estimates that there will be a decrease in the number of doctors over the next 10 or more years. The reasons are complex but a couple of reasons are that US students are falling behind in the sciences and as you said, school is expensive. But both reasons have solutions. The first is too easy...Study. HARD! The second is easy too. There are many ways to fund college and medical school these days, it's not like the money has to come out of your pocket. There are all kinds of government grants, loans and programs to choose from. Speaking of money. Think of all the money you can make even if you charge your patients as little as possible. You will not have to compete as a doctor (except for positions and residencies). In law you must specialize to make any money or be a damn good ambulance chaser and I do not know many economics majors that have jobs!
134135
You can have pretty much any major that you want. Many colleges will shunt their undergraduates into traditional "premedical" majors such as biology, biochemistry, or chemistry. But medical schools only require a few basic science courses for admission:\nChemistry\nBiology\nOrganic Chemistry\nPhysics\n\nSo, as long as you get in these courses then you can major in anything. The advantage of majoring in science is that it will make it somewhat easier to deal with the science in medical school. The down side is that science is all they teach you in medical school, so that having an undergraduate major in something else gives you some depth, and could even be helpful to you as a pediatrician (for example, a psychology major, or an anthropology major).\n\nSince good grades are so important to getting into medical school, picking a major that you like is really important. SO, be guided by what you like, take the science requirement, and try to be a well-rounded undergraduate student. And, get good grades from the start.
13233
If you like computers, then any of the computer fields would be good.\nIf you have any interest in medicine, the medical field is always good. How about a radiological technologist (x-ray tech)?
203799
you will need to go to med school for like 10 yrs first..and you have to get really good grades..come on, you'd be dealing with peoples lives!! It's very intense studing..you think you're up for it??
600916
If you are not ALLERGIC to studying biology(as I am to chemistry!)then I don't see any problem in your taking medicine as career.Once your studies in college begin then there will be no problem whatsoever.Its only a matter of initial hesitation and starting trouble.
441696
Ok...I am a pre-med student wiht a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry.  Pre-med means that you will be taking the required courses for getting accepted into a medical school. It is very difficult and stressful. I wish you the best! oh and you can major in anything you want as long as you take the pre-med courses on the side you'll do good. Also it looks good when you have volunteered or are actively involved in organizations or clubs. Apply to a college who has a good reputation for preparing students for Med School. Good Luck!!!
275257
Well.. I am in med school- I did it the "traditional" way--- took all my science courses, majored in chemistry, blablabla.  But some of my best friends in medical school have been sociology majors, english majors, psychology majors, and I am sure there might be a philosophy major in there somewhere (but can't think of any off hand).  As far as scores go, there really isn't any difference in who does the best on the tests based on college area of study--- it just depends on how hard you study.  That's it.  Your undergrad classes don't predict nor do they fully prepare you for how hard medical school science courses will be.  Therefore, if you have a passion such as philosophy, I say, pursue it.  Once you begin medical school and pracitice medicine, it will consume your life and you will have little time for those passions.\n\nI also believe a good doctor is more than the some of his parts or the grades she made on exams.  You must be able to relate to people, treat the patient and not just the disease.  Empathy, sympathy, and understanding cannot be taught.  If you want to go to medical shcool, great.  Make good grades in college, be sure to take AT LEAST the minimal amount of science courses needed (ask your advisor or med school if you're unsure) and do really  well in those classes (all your classes really-- and the MCAT).  But major in wahtever you want, whatever makes you happy and whole.  Whether your passion is philosophy, astrophysics or molecular biology.  Study it and study the heck out of it.  Get involved in your community and the medical field early on.\n\nWill studying philosophy make you a better doctor?  No, not necessarily.  But if it's something you're passionate about and you pursue your passion while also completing the basic requirements, I think you will be better for it.  By studying something that interests you outside of science/medicine you iwll become more well-rounded and learn to look at htings in different ways. So go for it. You'll never get another chance like the persent to do so.\nHowever, if you have no desire to study philosophy then, it probably won't make you any better- so don't waste your time, find something else instead.
21384
I'm not an RN, so I may not have the best advice, but I do work in health care (diagnotic radiography) and I think your interest in becoming an RN is excellent.  From RNs whom I have known, most have said it's been a rewarding career, but a lot of work, which can be taxing.  Personally, I think building a career in health care is really one of the best choices one can make.  Not only for reasons like $$$, but, health care isn't going away (i.e. job stability, constant progression) and it's a unique field that keeps you on your feet, directly helping people on a daily basis.  Oh, you could check out some universities in your area for what they have to say about RNs.  A lot of websites seem to have information about what it's like to be an RN, etc.
562362
It's usually a good idea to look at the acceptance rates for the programs that interest you. At my univeristy, the best admission rates for medical school are from Science undergrad programs in Physiology and Psychology...ask professors who coordinate undergrad programs in areas that interest you, they know about this stuff. It's also a good idea, if you aren't sure about what you want to do, to not take a very specified program which doesn't allow you a lot of electives (like engineering/honours programs/etc)...you might need to take extra courses to qualify for a professional degree, and you need the flexibility to do that within your program, since nobody wants to be in school forever! Finally, choose a subject area that interests you that you have the ability to do well in. There is no perfect background that admissions are looking for, they want to see diversity and passion most of all.
667055
If you are still in high school, you've got plenty of time to explore your options. Some topics you can focus on include virology and infectious processes.\n\n I'd suggest volunteering at the hospital and go from there. Once you get into undergraduate school and start taking some of the restricted electives, you'll find your interests. Right now, talk to some of your science teachers. Or if you have incredible ambition, go to the local college/university and talk to some of the professors, or go out to your community and interview doctors.\n\nGood luck!