I was granted an interview but....

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lyndamn

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I was granted an interview, and I want attend the interview, get accepted, and become a podiatrist...but my family, friends, and fiance are clearly not supporting me in this.

Everyone I know is questioning the field of podiatry and tell me I should become a dentist instead.

When I ask them why they think that way.... they state that everyone needs to see a dentist so their will always be guaranteed patients. Podiatry, on the other hand, ....not everyone needs a podiatrist and many people don't even know they exist. They feel as though the podiatry field has more risks in terms of having a nice lifestyle and being successful. They think podiatry is more stressful in general. Although I also have a strong interest in dentistry, I feel that podiatry may suite me better. The problem is, I don't know why.

So, I need some feedback and/or advice from practicing podiatrists and recent graduates on what I should do to convince them? I need their support, or else I will be unhappy if I go. They are also my financial support for my education. Btw, is what they say is true?
 
The podiatry field probably does have more risks in terms of being successful in comparison to dentistry. I'm sure both dentistry and podiatry can be stressful depending on the type of practice and location in which you work. The fact that you don't know why podiatry is a better fit for you may be an issue. Have you done a decent amount of shadowing with more than one podiatrist? I understand your family and friends concerns but you have to do what you want to do. I was in a similar situation in debating between dentistry and podiatry. I found that I enjoyed shadowing the podiatrists much more than I enjoyed shadowing the dentists. I felt that I would enjoy doing podiatry for the next 40 years of my life more than dentistry. But you need to convince yourself before you convince your family. Once you have done that... I'm sure convincing them will become much easier.
 
lyndamn said:
I was granted an interview, and I want attend the interview, get accepted, and become a podiatrist...but my family, friends, and fiance are clearly not supporting me in this.

Everyone I know is questioning the field of podiatry and tell me I should become a dentist instead.

When I ask them why they think that way.... they state that everyone needs to see a dentist so their will always be guaranteed patients. Podiatry, on the other hand, ....not everyone needs a podiatrist and many people don't even know they exist. They feel as though the podiatry field has more risks in terms of having a nice lifestyle and being successful. They think podiatry is more stressful in general. Although I also have a strong interest in dentistry, I feel that podiatry may suite me better. The problem is, I don't know why.

So, I need some feedback and/or advice from practicing podiatrists and recent graduates on what I should do to convince them? I need their support, or else I will be unhappy if I go. They are also my financial support for my education. Btw, is what they say is true?
Click to expand...


1) You are an adult, it's time to make your own decisions.

2) You can be extremely successful with a career in podiatry, but there are no written guarantees in any profession.

3) Your family should respect and support YOUR decision, since it is ultimately YOUR career.

4) Have you spent time shadowing dentists and podiatrists enough to make an educated decision?

5) Does your family care about what makes YOU happy?

6) No one on this site can make your decision, nor should any family member. My personal feeling is that your family should be your greatest supporter regardless of your decision, not questioning YOUR career choice.

7) I have yet to read ONE of your posts where you seemed to be confident in this profession, and you are constantly questioning if the profession is viable, if doctors and students are happy, if doctors can make a decent living, etc., etc. Therefore, you certainly don't seem ready to make a CAREER decision, and no one should be making that decision for you.

You simply may not be ready to choose at this time, and may want to spend more time with a few dentists and podiatrists prior to making that decision.
 
lyndamn said:
I was granted an interview, and I want attend the interview, get accepted, and become a podiatrist...but my family, friends, and fiance are clearly not supporting me in this.

Everyone I know is questioning the field of podiatry and tell me I should become a dentist instead.

When I ask them why they think that way.... they state that everyone needs to see a dentist so their will always be guaranteed patients. Podiatry, on the other hand, ....not everyone needs a podiatrist and many people don't even know they exist. They feel as though the podiatry field has more risks in terms of having a nice lifestyle and being successful. They think podiatry is more stressful in general. Although I also have a strong interest in dentistry, I feel that podiatry may suite me better. The problem is, I don't know why.

So, I need some feedback and/or advice from practicing podiatrists and recent graduates on what I should do to convince them? I need their support, or else I will be unhappy if I go. They are also my financial support for my education. Btw, is what they say is true?
Click to expand...

http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Physician-Podiatry-Salary-Details-New-York-NY.aspx

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=795688

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=547935

I do agree with you as about being somewhat uncertain about podiatry in terms of financial stability, especially since everyone always tells you that what your compensation will be depends on a multitude of factors(which still doesn't answer our question at all) and that your a greedy shallow son of a bitch for asking, but it is concerning to ask since you are giving up seven years of income and time while incurring debt. There just doesn't seem to be that much consistent information about what type of financial compensation you will get, although some attendings say you will make a hundred and twenty thousand, a few others say you will make eighty.

I somewhat understand what you mean as I am also a chinese male (somewhat petite maybe maybe not) and my family was questioning what podiatry was as they werent familiar and I had to defend it as a reasonable choice (asian families like to get involved in their family members lives btw)

I think the easiest way to decide is this way

If a dental school offered you admission right now and a podiatry school offered you admission right now as well and for both you were going to go into for sure irregardless of what you have, which would you take

whatever you say will probably be the one you want
 
Last edited:
lyndamn said:
..but my family, friends, and fiance are clearly not supporting me in this.

Everyone I know is questioning the field of podiatry and tell me I should become a dentist instead.
Click to expand...

Looks like you need to break up with your fiance, disown your family, and find new friends and people that are willing to support you and not try to live your life for you. YOU are the one who is going to have to do all the work: studying when you're tired, rounding when you're sick of it, more scut work than you can possibly imagine, taking call and going to the hospital in the middle of the night, kissing butt/playing "the game", etc.

Why would you let someone else influence what you are going to be doing the rest of YOUR life?

Sounds like it's time to put on your big boy (or girl) pants and make a decision on your own for once.

Harsh? Nope, this ain't Kansas anymore, it's called real life. Figure out what you want to do and then go and do it. Then you tell them what you are going to do, and if they don't back you, then actually do what I half jokingly wrote in the first sentence.

Make sure that YOU are going to be happy with your profession, and then your family around you will benefit from your joy and efforts and they will be happy too.

Side note: claiming they are your financial support and feeling a sense of dependence is a croc. That's why federal financial aid is available. Sounds like you're being a little too needy. Gotta cut that umbilical cord eventually.

As far as being in it for the "nice lifestyle", those days are gone for podiatry. With increasing parity comes increased responsibility and work hour requirements. Be prepared to work your tail off for (at least) the first decade out to build your practice if you hope to be "successful". And if you can't handle the "stress" of a busy practice and long hours, consider nursing, optometry or dentistry.
 
Podophile said:
Looks like you need to break up with your fiance, disown your family, and find new friends and people that are willing to support you and not try to live your life for you. YOU are the one who is going to have to do all the work: studying when you're tired, rounding when you're sick of it, more scut work than you can possibly imagine, taking call and going to the hospital in the middle of the night, kissing butt/playing "the game", etc.

Why would you let someone else influence what you are going to be doing the rest of YOUR life?

Sounds like it's time to put on your big boy (or girl) pants and make a decision on your own for once.

Harsh? Nope, this ain't Kansas anymore, it's called real life. Figure out what you want to do and then go and do it. Then you tell them what you are going to do, and if they don't back you, then actually do what I half jokingly wrote in the first sentence.

Make sure that YOU are going to be happy with your profession, and then your family around you will benefit from your joy and efforts and they will be happy too.

Side note: claiming they are your financial support and feeling a sense of dependence is a croc. That's why federal financial aid is available. Sounds like you're being a little too needy. Gotta cut that umbilical cord eventually.

As far as being in it for the "nice lifestyle", those days are gone for podiatry. With increasing parity comes increased responsibility and work hour requirements. Be prepared to work your tail off for (at least) the first decade out to build your practice if you hope to be "successful". And if you can't handle the "stress" of a busy practice and long hours, consider nursing, optometry or dentistry.
Click to expand...

👍
 
Podophile said:
Looks like you need to break up with your fiance, disown your family, and find new friends and people that are willing to support you and not try to live your life for you. YOU are the one who is going to have to do all the work: studying when you're tired, rounding when you're sick of it, more scut work than you can possibly imagine, taking call and going to the hospital in the middle of the night, kissing butt/playing "the game", etc.

Why would you let someone else influence what you are going to be doing the rest of YOUR life?

Sounds like it's time to put on your big boy (or girl) pants and make a decision on your own for once.

Harsh? Nope, this ain't Kansas anymore, it's called real life. Figure out what you want to do and then go and do it. Then you tell them what you are going to do, and if they don't back you, then actually do what I half jokingly wrote in the first sentence.

Make sure that YOU are going to be happy with your profession, and then your family around you will benefit from your joy and efforts and they will be happy too.

Side note: claiming they are your financial support and feeling a sense of dependence is a croc. That's why federal financial aid is available. Sounds like you're being a little too needy. Gotta cut that umbilical cord eventually.

As far as being in it for the "nice lifestyle", those days are gone for podiatry. With increasing parity comes increased responsibility and work hour requirements. Be prepared to work your tail off for (at least) the first decade out to build your practice if you hope to be "successful". And if you can't handle the "stress" of a busy practice and long hours, consider nursing, optometry or dentistry.
Click to expand...

2 words. CULTURAL DIVERSITY. Did your podiatry school not address these issues? You obviously do not understand her cultural background and giving said advice is unprofessional IMO.
 
- It has been a while since I have posted on these forums. But I have to say that PADPM and Podophile pretty much hit it right on the money. I completely agree with their perspective. I kind of understand where the OP is coming from because it is important to have the support of your family and friends. But at the end of the day you have to know what you want. There are no guarantees in life, just because you choose Dentistry over Podiatry does not mean it will be a merry-go-round lifestyle and everybody will like you, and vice versa. This is a life long commitment that requires 110% responsibility and hard work. You have to be an Adult and make the right decision for yourself and nobody else.
 
DrMushroomFoot said:
2 words. CULTURAL DIVERSITY. Did your podiatry school not address these issues? You obviously do not understand her cultural background and giving said advice is unprofessional IMO.
Click to expand...


I completely understand your concerns, and that's why I was a little less harsh with my comments. I understand that she is a "petite asian female" from prior posts. However, despite that fact she still ultimately has to make a decision based on HER preferences. That is no disrespect to her family.

I don't know if she is first generation American, etc., but the profession of podiatry is not well known to many Asians who are not native to this country. The profession of podiatry does not exist in Asian countries, but dentistry does, so they are defaulting to their comfort zone.

However, she is now in America and will be practicing in America where podiatry is a very successful profession which is constantly growing. Additionally, based on many of her past questions, I'm not confident that she has REALLY done her homework regarding the profession, and whether she has really educated her family regarding the profession.

I'm sure that her family only wants the best for her, and maybe if she understood the profession more and had more confidence in the profession, that would shine through and she would gain the support of her family. I have the feeling that her family is smart enough to "sense" her slight uneasiness, and therefore is recommending dentistry, since that is something which in their mind is a sure bet and well known to them.

If and when she fully understands what our profession has to offer and if and when she relays that to her family and they sense she is confident with her decision, I have a feeling she will gain their support.
 
PADPM said:
I completely understand your concerns, and that's why I was a little less harsh with my comments. I understand that she is a "petite asian female" from prior posts. However, despite that fact she still ultimately has to make a decision based on HER preferences. That is no disrespect to her family.

I don't know if she is first generation American, etc., but the profession of podiatry is not well known to many Asians who are not native to this country. The profession of podiatry does not exist in Asian countries, but dentistry does, so they are defaulting to their comfort zone.

However, she is now in America and will be practicing in America where podiatry is a very successful profession which is constantly growing. Additionally, based on many of her past questions, I'm not confident that she has REALLY done her homework regarding the profession, and whether she has really educated her family regarding the profession.

I'm sure that her family only wants the best for her, and maybe if she understood the profession more and had more confidence in the profession, that would shine through and she would gain the support of her family. I have the feeling that her family is smart enough to "sense" her slight uneasiness, and therefore is recommending dentistry, since that is something which in their mind is a sure bet and well known to them.

If and when she fully understands what our profession has to offer and if and when she relays that to her family and they sense she is confident with her decision, I have a feeling she will gain their support.
Click to expand...

As always, this is excellent advice/insight 👍

BTW my previous statement was directed at Podophile's comment on being needy, cutting the umbilical cord, cutting ties from family, etc... this is easier said than done in the asian community, especially as a female.
 
DrMushroomFoot said:
As always, this is excellent advice/insight 👍

BTW my previous statement was directed at Podophile's comment on being needy, cutting the umbilical cord, cutting ties from family, etc... this is easier said than done in the asian community, especially as a female.
Click to expand...

are you asian too 🙂
 
javajava said:
are you asian too 🙂
Click to expand...
I'm asian and i would agree with DrMushroomFoot's statement.

but i agree that it's time to be an adult and choose what will make you happy. it may or may not be podiatry. just please make sure you do a ton of research so you commit to the right career.

good luck
 
I understand the Asian thing (I'm immigrant). The "typical" Asian family has much more input than a "typical" Western family, and parents value job stability and career status probably a greater degree too. Until you're talking about first generation or very Westernized immigrants, the individual's happiness and personal fulfillment doesn't factor in too strongly. Also, an advanced degree trumps simply being rich (e.g., a struggling doctor has higher status than a successful restaurant owner).

Taking a chance on an unknown (to the family) profession probably seems too risky for the OP's family. Like PADPM stated they are maybe defaulting to that with which they are familiar, but if you can convince the parents that being a podiatrist means that you are a doctor and that they can tell their friends, "My daughter is a doctor" then maybe they'll get on board.

joseb, I was guessing you were Latino based on you screen name!
 
Podophile said:
Looks like you need to break up with your fiance, disown your family, and find new friends and people that are willing to support you and not try to live your life for you. YOU are the one who is going to have to do all the work: studying when you're tired, rounding when you're sick of it, more scut work than you can possibly imagine, taking call and going to the hospital in the middle of the night, kissing butt/playing "the game", etc.

Why would you let someone else influence what you are going to be doing the rest of YOUR life?

Sounds like it's time to put on your big boy (or girl) pants and make a decision on your own for once.

Harsh? Nope, this ain't Kansas anymore, it's called real life. Figure out what you want to do and then go and do it. Then you tell them what you are going to do, and if they don't back you, then actually do what I half jokingly wrote in the first sentence.

Make sure that YOU are going to be happy with your profession, and then your family around you will benefit from your joy and efforts and they will be happy too.

Side note: claiming they are your financial support and feeling a sense of dependence is a croc. That's why federal financial aid is available. Sounds like you're being a little too needy. Gotta cut that umbilical cord eventually.

As far as being in it for the "nice lifestyle", those days are gone for podiatry. With increasing parity comes increased responsibility and work hour requirements. Be prepared to work your tail off for (at least) the first decade out to build your practice if you hope to be "successful". And if you can't handle the "stress" of a busy practice and long hours, consider nursing, optometry or dentistry.
Click to expand...

Not applicable for the OP's background.
 
I just wanted to say that "Pod Newman" is the funniest screen name I've seen here yet. Still chuckling over here...
 
OP when your done tell us what your decision was
 
Thanks everyone for either your support or constructive criticism 🙂

I'm leaning to AT LEAST go to the interview in the next month, and then shadow more podiatrists and dentists in the mean time. By that time, I will have an excellent idea of what route to take. If I get an offer of acceptance, I can either accept or decline them depending on my career decision. If I get rejected, I can either try again next cycle or the rejection won't matter to me... (again, depending on my career decision).
 
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