Career

[maybedoc]

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This thread doesn't necessarily pertain to pediatrics, but I believe pediatricians would have some helpful advice for me. I have been considering a medical career for years and I am currently taking the prereqs for med school. I absolutely love working with children and my heart goes out particularly to children with terminal illnesses. Naturally, I figure the best way to pursue a career that would benefit these children is to become a pediatric oncologist. I love children, medicine, and science, so it could work...but I have my doubts about whether that is in fact the career field I should enter.

Let me explain. I am not sure if I am better suited to be a doctor or some other professional working to help children like this. The problem is, the only career fields I can think of to work with this population are medicine, therapy, psychology, nursing, and running a camp for terminally ill children. Of those, medicine and the camp idea do interest me, but I just would like to see if anyone knows of any other careers that may be less well-known, but fitting for a person like me. I like to be intellectually stimulated, which is why a career as a doctor may be more fitting, but I also love to just be able to have fun with the kids and find ways to make their lives better.

Does anyone have any ideas?
Thank you!

 

[J-Rad]

Child Life Specialist might be a good career option to explore.

 

[generic]

Maybe consider Physician Assistant as well...

Nurse does give you options, such as later pursuing a Master's or Doctorate.

MPH? You can do Cancer epidemiology research/work with them

Social work?

Clinical Genetics? Some cancer specialization might be possible there.

If not a camp, there might be centers or homes for children getting ChemoTx or whatever (like at MD Anderson/Ronald Mcdonald House) where you could work.

Being a Pediatrician would give you lots of flexibility however. You may decide to do more research in Oncology, or you may find another aspect of interacting with children that is even cooler, or whatever. I guess the problem is the loooong training and high cost of education.