I already know that some people might think that I don't need to worry about it yet, but right now I'm 14 years old and an 8th grader in the Portland, Oregon metro area. I have a cumulative GPA of about 3.92 (only remember having one B in 6th grade), and I have always enjoyed my math and science classes. In elementary school, I always excelled, so much so, that I was given the option to skip second grade before we moved and I've been in the NOVA and TAG programs since I was in kindergarten. When I got to middle school, I totally skipped Math I and II, moving straight into Pre-Algebra. I currently have to go to the high school for Geometry class because Algebra is the highest offered at the middle school. Science has always been easy for me and -for the most part- I've rather enjoyed it, too. On the state science assessment (I was sick for the first day), I went in and finished the 50 problem computer test in just over 20 minutes and scored 17 points over the "exceeds" benchmark. I ended up having the 3rd highest score in the school and am debating whether to retake it just to challenge myself.
Now to the real objective of this post. For the last few months I've been thinking about what I want to do for my job when I go to college and beyond. Most of what I think of is in the medical field. Here are the options I've thought about:
One of my thoughts has been on anesthesiology, partially because of my younger sister. She was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis on her optic nerve when she was 20 months and started chemo at 2 years old. I was 5 the first time that I went with her to Doernbecher Children's Hospital. My mom says, and I can vaguely remember, that I always used to try to watch what the doctors were doing when they "knocked her out" for her MRIs.
A second thought, one that I've always thought would be a nice job would be radiation therapy, radiologist technician, x-ray technician or radiologist. I know that there is a vast fluctuation between the schooling of those aspects of the field but think it would be an interesting occupation. My interest was really sparked several years ago when I got a concussion and had a CAT scan done to check for bleeding and thought it was cool how they could tell from the machine (keep in mind that I was about 8).
I know that both can be rather rewarding career paths, both in regards to salary and from helping people in need. One major downfall that I see is the amount of money and time spent in college, premed, med school, etc., but I think (at least right now) that that can be made up for later in my career. So the real question is, do you believe that it is worth the time and money spent dedicating myself to an area; and if so which one?
My options are obviously not limited to these selections, not medical even, since I haven't even started high school yet. So any suggestions would be appreciated! Any advice and/or stories are welcome, as well. Thanks
Now to the real objective of this post. For the last few months I've been thinking about what I want to do for my job when I go to college and beyond. Most of what I think of is in the medical field. Here are the options I've thought about:
One of my thoughts has been on anesthesiology, partially because of my younger sister. She was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis on her optic nerve when she was 20 months and started chemo at 2 years old. I was 5 the first time that I went with her to Doernbecher Children's Hospital. My mom says, and I can vaguely remember, that I always used to try to watch what the doctors were doing when they "knocked her out" for her MRIs.
A second thought, one that I've always thought would be a nice job would be radiation therapy, radiologist technician, x-ray technician or radiologist. I know that there is a vast fluctuation between the schooling of those aspects of the field but think it would be an interesting occupation. My interest was really sparked several years ago when I got a concussion and had a CAT scan done to check for bleeding and thought it was cool how they could tell from the machine (keep in mind that I was about 8).
I know that both can be rather rewarding career paths, both in regards to salary and from helping people in need. One major downfall that I see is the amount of money and time spent in college, premed, med school, etc., but I think (at least right now) that that can be made up for later in my career. So the real question is, do you believe that it is worth the time and money spent dedicating myself to an area; and if so which one?
My options are obviously not limited to these selections, not medical even, since I haven't even started high school yet. So any suggestions would be appreciated! Any advice and/or stories are welcome, as well. Thanks
