Is Podiatry Right For Me?

[HealthProf]

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Hi!

I know I want to do medicine and stuff but I am not sure what. I like Naturopathy, Podiatry, or Optometry. I shadowed a little but everyone was like told me to look at something else. Some cool stuff though. Um Naturopath deals with herbs, diet, and fitness and does not require a residency! Optometry is an old profession. Deals a lot with optics which I like. A lot of jobs but they are low paying. Podiatry is a mystery. Some websites say the pay is like optometry but I can't find any jobs. Lot of Newtonian physics which I think would be way cool but doc told me 50/50 shot of getting residency. Can you do anything without one? I know PA is out because my gpa is too low . I have a degree in physics 2.8 gpa, state school. I need help!!!! Should I take the MCAT or OAT in September. K thx guys!

 

[HopefulSpartan]

You need to do some research. Shadow a podiatrist/optometrist/witch doctor to see if it's "for you". Don't mention naturopathy and actual medical professions in the same sentence if you don't want to get flamed.

Looking at pay scales is a very immature way of deciding what you want to do when it comes to medical fields. If all that matters is reimbursement go work in the Northwest Territories of Canada drilling for oil. Guaranteed 6 figures and you don't have to deal with ******* premeds or school.

 

[Telekinesis]

You need to do some research. Shadow a podiatrist/optometrist/witch doctor to see if it's "for you". Don't mention naturopathy and actual medical professions in the same sentence if you don't want to get flamed.

Looking at pay scales is a very immature way of deciding what you want to do when it comes to medical fields. If all that matters is reimbursement go work in the Northwest Territories of Canada drilling for oil. Guaranteed 6 figures and you don't have to deal with ******* premeds or school.

That's an immature statement. When you are staring down the barrel at 250 thou in debt, income to pay that off better be worth the debt.

 

[chrisj1982]

You need to do some research. Shadow a podiatrist/optometrist/witch doctor to see if it's "for you". Don't mention naturopathy and actual medical professions in the same sentence if you don't want to get flamed.

Looking at pay scales is a very immature way of deciding what you want to do when it comes to medical fields. If all that matters is reimbursement go work in the Northwest Territories of Canada drilling for oil. Guaranteed 6 figures and you don't have to deal with ******* premeds or school.

Is it really reasonable to think people don't worry about other things....like wanting to live and work somewhere more desirable? i.e. not middle of nowhere Candian wilderness.....?

Personally, I'd like high pay and the ability to work and live in a much more desirable area, which mean yes, potential salary does come into play when making career decisions... I never considered this an odd, or "immature" way of looking at things, but maybe that's just me.

 

[jonod1107]

Hi!

I know I want to do medicine and stuff but I am not sure what. I like Naturopathy, Podiatry, or Optometry. I shadowed a little but everyone was like told me to look at something else. Some cool stuff though. Um Naturopath deals with herbs, diet, and fitness and does not require a residency! Optometry is an old profession. Deals a lot with optics which I like. A lot of jobs but they are low paying. Podiatry is a mystery. Some websites say the pay is like optometry but I can't find any jobs. Lot of Newtonian physics which I think would be way cool but doc told me 50/50 shot of getting residency. Can you do anything without one? I know PA is out because my gpa is too low . I have a degree in physics 2.8 gpa, state school. I need help!!!! Should I take the MCAT or OAT in September. K thx guys!

OMG YES THEY ARE ALL GREAT! Get all three degrees at once. I'm sure it is possible by doing some online classes.


Seriously, what if the point of asking this question online when you haven't even shadowed a Podiatrist? Also, how many Optometrists and Naturopathist have you shadowed?

 

[HealthProf]

I already shadowed a podiatrist, optometrist and naturopath!!

The pod told me about the 50/50 shot for a residency! I did not know what that meant. I wanted to learn a little more so I came here!

 

[HopefulSpartan]

That's an immature statement. When you are staring down the barrel at 250 thou in debt, income to pay that off better be worth the debt.

Except the "gun" that you are staring down is being held by you. It is a choice to go into the immense debt. I haven't heard an anecdote or studies showing that there are optometrists or podiatrists living on the streets due to their student loans.

OP, which profession did you like best when you shadowed? Which could you see yourself doing for 30-40 years? The employment outlook for optometry is a 33% increase between 2010-2020 which is pretty massive, especially considering that there are a lot of optometrists. Podiatry is at 20%.

Podiatry residencies are currently in trouble but it is far from a 50/50 shot. Also until it is fixed it is highly unlikely that additional podiatry schools will be allowed to open (unlike MD/DO schools which are popping up left and right despite the match getting tighter and tighter)

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Hi!

I know I want to do medicine and stuff but I am not sure what. I like Naturopathy, Podiatry, or Optometry. I shadowed a little but everyone was like told me to look at something else. Some cool stuff though. Um Naturopath deals with herbs, diet, and fitness and does not require a residency! Optometry is an old profession. Deals a lot with optics which I like. A lot of jobs but they are low paying. Podiatry is a mystery. Some websites say the pay is like optometry but I can't find any jobs. Lot of Newtonian physics which I think would be way cool but doc told me 50/50 shot of getting residency. Can you do anything without one? I know PA is out because my gpa is too low . I have a degree in physics 2.8 gpa, state school. I need help!!!! Should I take the MCAT or OAT in September. K thx guys!

Podiatry practices western medicine. If you do not subscribe to western medicine, do not pursue a career in podiatry. Likewise, if you do not believe in magic, do not pursue a a degree in naturopathy.

There is not a 50/50 chance of getting a residency. There was a shortage this year, yes, but about 90% of 2013 grads got residencies, so it is nowhere near 50/50.

 

[OhEmGee]

Likewise, if you do not believe in magic, do not pursue a a degree in naturopathy.

fantastic.

 

[HealthProf]

Why are you guys so hard on Naturopaths? And nobody answered my question!!! Can you do anything with no residency. Guys like need to read!

Oh! So your hospital forum. Is 80k salary for real!?!?!?!? Isn't that like PA/Nurse income? My sister makes 75k as a legal secretary with no education.

 

[pod101]

You can NOT practice without a license and to get a license you need to finish a three year residency. 90% of this years graduates were able to land a residency spot. 33% were able to land a spot on their second try. 86 are still without seats. I am hoping that this number will decrease over time.

I believe there is a degree out there called a Nutritionist that you might be interested in.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

1. Why are you guys so hard on Naturopaths? And nobody answered my question!!! Can you do anything with no residency. Guys like need to read!

2. Oh! So your hospital forum. Is 80k salary for real!?!?!?!? Isn't that like PA/Nurse income? My sister makes 75k as a legal secretary with no education.

1. Because it is bogus... There is nothing scientific behind it....

2. Your sister must have MAD secretary skills for that income/she's sleeping with the lawyers and they're paying her to be quiet because.... Many Ph.D professors don't even make 75k...

 

[DrRock44]

You can NOT practice without a license and to get a license you need to finish a three year residency..

Not really. the majority of practicing pods did not do a three residency. Three year residencies just became standard. You can work in a limited capacity, in a podiatric office without a residency depending on the state.I know the language of the Pennsylvania code allows for this. It is my understanding that your earning potential would be considerably less working in that capacity

 

[Moose A Moose]

Should I take the MCAT or OAT in September.

Either way you're going to need more than a few weeks to prepare for these tests.

 

[jonod1107]

Why are you guys so hard on Naturopaths? And nobody answered my question!!! Can you do anything with no residency. Guys like need to read!

Oh! So your hospital forum. Is 80k salary for real!?!?!?!? Isn't that like PA/Nurse income? My sister makes 75k as a legal secretary with no education.

This person seems like a troll.

Your talking about reading, then why don't you read the sticky posts on top of this sub-forum? And the sticky post at the top of the Podiatry student and Podiatrist forum? They all address the residency issue and the salary issue. Jesus...

 

[HopefulSpartan]

Why are you guys so hard on Naturopaths?

Because evidence based medicine.

And you are the one who needs to read. You are not asking unique questions and on top of that your attitude doesn't make anyone want to help you.

 

[Telekinesis]

The reason why we are so against naturopaths is because they take classes at Hogwarts but we all couldn't pass the entrance exams so Hogwarts rejected us.

We are stuck with evidence based medicine.