INFP with ear condition for pathology?

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ZML

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Hello, I'm a medical student looking for some advice. I have INFP personality type which points me either to psychiatry or pathology.

I also have a condition where I'm sensitive to sounds (both intrinsic and extrinsic).

I'm all right with a microscope and Dr. William Osler was a pathologist and I'm a HUGE fan of him.

People have been urging me to AVOID pathology, there's the round the year topic of "no jobs in pathology" argument, the pay etc.

Any opinions would be wonderful, Thanks!

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OK. Well, who is telling you to avoid pathology and why? If "pay" is an issue, how much do you want or expect to make?
 
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OK. Well, who is telling you to avoid pathology and why? If "pay" is an issue, how much do you want or expect to make?
A lot of people on the forum, my family. I just want 150k+. I'd love to get your opinion on pathology in regards to it's feasibility in the future, overall quality of vocation and life etc.
 
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Why is your family telling you not to do pathology, and who is "family"?

I would not use a personality type to pick a medical specialty, however it does seem like your medical condition may favor pathology as a choice. Are you an AMG, and have you had much exposure to the actual practice of pathology?

If you choose pathology, you will make more than $150k/year and almost certainly be offered a job. However, only so many pathologists can exist in a given geographical area and so you MIGHT need to start out in a less desirable geographic area. Also, some jobs in desirable geographic areas may not be very good with regard to work environment or amount of work performed vs. reimbursement. Some pathologists have pretty low expectations and end up happy with any job; others want dream jobs (which still exist, for the moment) and are unhappy if they can't find one.

I personally find my practice setting extremely fulfilling, but pathology is a diverse field that includes transfusion medicine specialists, medical examiners, and those that exclusively read medical renal biopsies. So, a fulfilling job for one person is not necessarily fulfilling for another.
 
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Have you done a pathology rotation, yet? I would do one as soon as you're able.

I just started residency so I cannot comment on the job market. I can say that I made my decision based upon my interests and experiences before I found all of the negative sentiment on this forum and other sites. It made me pause and rethink my decision, but I love the field and wanted to go through with it so I was forced to adopt an optimistic mindset (LOL). Despite this, I do agree with many of the points made on criticisms of the field, but I ultimately love more than I anticipate I will hate in pathology.
 
Have you done a pathology rotation, yet? I would do one as soon as you're able.

I just started residency so I cannot comment on the job market. I can say that I made my decision based upon my interests and experiences before I found all of the negative sentiment on this forum and other sites. It made me pause and rethink my decision, but I love the field and wanted to go through with it so I was forced to adopt an optimistic mindset (LOL). Despite this, I do agree with many of the points made on criticisms of the field, but I ultimately love more than I anticipate I will hate in pathology.

you just started residency?! I have sooo many questions for you! First of all, congratulations.

Where were the factors that enticed you into going into pathology or what were the factor in choosing this field over others. Also, you mentioned the negatives, where were the negatives for you?

Having gone through the process recently, what would recommend as for scores, experience, recommendations etc.

How do you like pathology residency so far? Is it as hectic as you thought?

What is one thing that you know now in pathology residency that you wish you would've known beforehand?

How are your eyes holding up?

It's a lot of questions, I can't compel you to answer everything but it would be great if you did!
 
Why is your family telling you not to do pathology, and who is "family"?

I would not use a personality type to pick a medical specialty, however it does seem like your medical condition may favor pathology as a choice. Are you an AMG, and have you had much exposure to the actual practice of pathology?

If you choose pathology, you will make more than $150k/year and almost certainly be offered a job. However, only so many pathologists can exist in a given geographical area and so you MIGHT need to start out in a less desirable geographic area. Also, some jobs in desirable geographic areas may not be very good with regard to work environment or amount of work performed vs. reimbursement. Some pathologists have pretty low expectations and end up happy with any job; others want dream jobs (which still exist, for the moment) and are unhappy if they can't find one.

I personally find my practice setting extremely fulfilling, but pathology is a diverse field that includes transfusion medicine specialists, medical examiners, and those that exclusively read medical renal biopsies. So, a fulfilling job for one person is not necessarily fulfilling for another.

I narrowed it down to anesthesiology and pathology. I'm thinking with my personality + medical condition, this would be the right choice.

My family because my uncle is in internal medicine and I don't personally think that I would flourish in that environment but everyone is saying everything improve with practice and time (essentially he wants me to take over his private practice).

If you don't mind me asking, what is your specialty? Did you have trouble with the job market when you started?

I was told by someone that 10 pathologists work together and essentially for every specimen, it gets split 10 different way. There's a LOT of antagonist toward pathologist in other areas of this forum.
 
Hey ZML, I tried to start a conversation with you but it is not letting me. Is there some setting on your end you could change so I could try sending you my answers via Conversation/PM, please? Thanks!

you just started residency?! I have sooo many questions for you! First of all, congratulations.

Where were the factors that enticed you into going into pathology or what were the factor in choosing this field over others. Also, you mentioned the negatives, where were the negatives for you?

Having gone through the process recently, what would recommend as for scores, experience, recommendations etc.

How do you like pathology residency so far? Is it as hectic as you thought?

What is one thing that you know now in pathology residency that you wish you would've known beforehand?

How are your eyes holding up?

It's a lot of questions, I can't compel you to answer everything but it would be great if you did!
 
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