16 years old...

[jfx04]

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I'm only 16 years old and I think I'd like to get into the Anesthesiology field. Can anyone tell me what I should start doing now (ahead of time) to eventually go to college and study the field? Also, will Anesthesiology still be good pay salary-wise by the time I eventually become an Anesthesiologist? Thanks in advanced. 🙂

 

[jocwyo]

It's really impossible to say with any degree of certainty where salaries will be by the time you are practicing. I'm confident that salaries will always be adequate - though reimbursement has been known to vary occasionally. However, as one attending suggested, don't choose your profession based solely for economic reasons - these may fluctuate unpredictably - it's far better to select a career based on other parameters.

Since you are still in high-school - you have plenty of time before you need to get serious about preparing for a medical career. On the other hand, it's never to early to start making contacts. I would find a willing anesthesiologist in your community and ask to shadow him/her for a few days. This will allow you to see the profession hands-on and decide if it really is for you. If you continue the relationship, this "mentor" may be willing to provide all kinds of advice as you pursue medical school. These are also individuals that you will want to ask letters of recommendation from, when you begin the medical school application process.

Take a variety of courses - especially physiology, anatomy, etc. But, don't forget other classes that might not seem as important. example - English 101 was never my favorite class - but it really helped when it came time to creating an effective personal statement. Good luck!

 

[carrigallen]

If you are truly 16, then you should be concerned with other things. You aren't even old enough to make a final decision whether to go to college yet.

Once you reach your freshmen year of college, then you should start considering whether to go into medicine or not.

Right now, you should be doing stuff that normal sixteen year olds do..taking the PSAT, getting into minor car accidents, playing high school sports.

 

[Tiger26]

echoing the last one: first consider medicine or not, then consider medicine or not, then reconsider medicine or not, then consider gas or not

 

[Dorian Gray]

JFX, I would first say that the tone of your post makes your aspiration seem like trying to plan for fortune in the future rather than happiness. But that is just my first impression. If you truly do have an interest in anesthesiology, and/or you have exposure to the medical field already, then it isn't a terrible idea to think about what you need to do for the future. Coming straight out of high school into medical school (a 6-year program... only a few out there left, and mine is likely to be extended to 7), it was important for me to perform well in high school. This includes ACT/SAT (whatever your region normally takes), grades, extracurricular activities and leadership posts held. If nothing else, this will help you get into a better undergrad college and enhance your chances at landing a spot in the very competitive world of getting into medical school later. Also shadowing, as jocwyo mentioned above, would be great to first give you an idea of whether you wanted to pursue a career in medicine (at least anesthesia anyway), and also serve as proof to potential med schools in the future that you're dedicated to the idea of becoming a physician.

But your main focus at this point should be figuring out what in life makes you happy. Just try to do well in school, leaving as many opportunities open to yourself as you can, for whatever you choose to do in the future.

 

[dbiddy808]

I think 16 is a bit young to be mapping out your life. Enjoy being young.
I don't know about you guys, but my main goal was trying to get laid when I was sixteen years-old?

 

[VentdependenT]

And somehow that goal has changed over the years? Interesting 😀

 

[apma77]

its never too early to start....keep focused toward your goal thru high school and college and you will succeed..you may also want to look into the bs/md programs so you can get directly into med school without going thru the hassles most people do in applying out of college.

goodluck

 

[gaslady]

One thing that I wish I had known when I was around your age is that there were other options than becoming an MD while still having a career as a medical professional. There are many sacrifices to become an MD. It is definitely not right for everyone. If you think the sacrifices are more than you want to take on, consider becoming a PA, NP, or even (dare I write) a CRNA.

 

[Pinky]

I think 16 is a bit young to be mapping out your life. Enjoy being young.
I don't know about you guys, but my main goal was trying to get laid when I was sixteen years-old?

It has been said that alot of what guys strive for (i.e. successful career, expensive car, nice apartment) is done with the ultimate goal of getting the woman and getting laid.

 

[sandman1]

Go out and have fun but keep on your studies. Also get into a good review course for your SATs (Like Princeton Review) and do s***t-loads of practice questions several months before in preperation. Then, get into a university/college with a decent pre-med advisorship department that has a rep of getting a lot of their students into med school.

And for God Sakes, when you do get to college, don't let any of those competing pre meds hose your chemistry experiments!!