"Why do you wanna be a doctor?" - aaargh

[Pawnym]

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I hate this question already. My little brother and one of my better friends both asked me this recently. They had a very bitter tone of voice when asking though.

Why should I have to justify and give reasons to these people why I want to be a doctor?(I do have reasons though)

They're never quite so inquisitive about finding my inspiration in doing other things. They didn't care when I worked in retail with no real future. They didn't really care when I was about to join the Navy. They never asked why I dropped out of high school and never asked why I decided to turn things around and come back to college.

But when it comes to being a doctor.........

But to answer the question.

Being a Doctor and the philosophy of being one is the reason why I quit retail after having dropped out.. and why I enrolled in classes and began my college career. It's the reason why I didn't join the Navy(I was joining because I had no clue what else to do, no purpose or goal)

reasons, I'm sure I'll forget some.

-I want to be a Doctor because I want to be a lifelong student and learn.

-I want the experience of teaching.(be it to a patient, tutoring, or in academics later)

-I want independence.(most doctor's are their own boss for the most part)

-The Challenge. I'd love to be in a job that continues to grow where I must continue also to always strive for excellence. It's nto a career to become stagnant in.

-I want security in knowing that if I do my job right, I can work nearly anywhere I want to and don't have to worry so much if I did by chance lose a job. There's Doctor's needed everywhere.

-I want to raise a family and provide for them right.

-I like helping people. blah blah blah(I find this reason less important to emphasize because I think all people feel this way(or I hope). To get emotional with this reason though, it makes me smile, to make someone else's day)

-I want to be a Doctor but still have a multitude of choices. All the different specialties and such. I'm most inspired right now to look at Psychiatry or Family Practice tho. My Psych professor is such a positive guy and really has an effect on people. And I've never met a FP Doctor who didn't enjoy himself and his work.

and some points to be made(my opinion):
-not for the money. You can make money in whatever you do if you have your heart set on being happy.

-not for the respect. Respect is earned, not held in a title: Dr.

Thanks for letting me rant SDN.

/off the soapbox.

 

[UCLA2000]

I hate it when people ask that. I just tell them it's very personal and they usually leave me the hell alone.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

But it's an important question to answer well, since your interviewers may "annoyingly" ask you this.

I have o idea why I want to be a doctor, it's just something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember.

But, now that Ive worked in a hospital with patients and behind the scenes, I can affirm that I definitely want to be a doctor so that I can personally relate to people. I hate the experience of going to the doctor and not understanding your symptoms or diagnosis. This happened to my little sister today and it pissed me off. She was upset that the doctor couldn't help her, but it made me even more upset that the doctor didn't explain herself to my sis.

In addition, I also like the teaching aspect of it (hence the emphasis on explanation above). Working with patients who don't speak any English really brought this to my attention---I want to be a doctor so that my patients can have a better understanding of their illnesses.

Now, if I say this on my interview on Thursday, is it cool? Or too cliche (cuz it's the truth!) 😕

 

[UCLA2000]

I don't think this post is aimed at ADCOMS! It's aimed at family members and random people that have no real reason to ask you why you want to be a doctor...

 

[Pawnym]

actually that sounds very good. Some people might shrug that off and just put it in the "helping other people" category but it sounds very noble.

no one likes being in the dark about their health or that of a loved one.

 

[BlackPuma]

well it's the only profession were you can ask a woman take all her cloths off, and she won't give you a dirty look...

all in the name of medicine of course 😀

 

[Doctora Foxy]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by UCLA2000:
•I don't think this post is aimed at ADCOMS! It's aimed at family members and random people that have no real reason to ask you why you want to be a doctor...•••••I know sweetiepie, but I twisted it for my interviewing benefit....pretty sneaky, huh? <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> we cool?

So peoples, why do YOU want to be a doctor?

And Pawnzy, I think I'm a little confused about your original post. I don't see why it would be annoying for people to ask why you want to be a doctor, although it could be rude if they are assuming that you are incapable, as if saying, why even bother trying?....so what's the dilly yo? 😛

 

[Pawnym]

its not aimed at ADCOMs. 🙂 Like my friend John who I mentioned up there. He's a good guy. Very smart. He has his BS in Math and is workin on a Masters in something Physics while he's workin here at the space center.

But he seemed very bitter asking that. As if he's better than me (in his opinion) and how could I think I have the right or the capability to be a doctor. It just sorta upset me.

And then after all this(me gettin a lil motivation, etc), my brother decided he wanted to be a pediatrician with some kind of specialty. Then he asks me why I want to be a doctor with the same tone? Excuse me, why does he want to be one now? He didn't answer that come to think of it, but I gave him my reasons.

It just sucks having to prove to others why I might be worthy of even aspiring to one day be a Doctor. I mean... wtf? 😕

oh well. Life is actually very good and I shouldnt complain. I love life.

 

[UCLA2000]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Doctora Foxy:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by UCLA2000:
•I don't think this post is aimed at ADCOMS! It's aimed at family members and random people that have no real reason to ask you why you want to be a doctor...•••••I know sweetiepie, but I twisted it for my interviewing benefit....pretty sneaky, huh? <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> we cool?•••••Na I'm not letting you off that easily! Let me know when ur available to make it up to me 😀

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I thought we went over this earlier? I'll see ya in Philly, and I'll make it up to you then <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" /> ......especially now after all that good advice you gave me.....ouch my face hurts from smiling so much! 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

 

[Pawnym]

ok... why does my picture not work. :/

 

[Jamier2]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by WatchaMaCallit:
•well it's the only profession were you can ask a woman take all her cloths off, and she won't give you a dirty look...•••••Plus, she'll PAY you for it. :wink:

Kidding, of course. 😀

 

[Pawnym]

I'm bored and need to sleep. ieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

luckily i have my own thread to cavort about in. 🙄 <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

[vixen]

I'm just speaking from my own experience, but it seems like people in other professions never have to justify why they chose it. A lot of my friends are either in law or business school, and no one cares to ask why...when I say dental school, the first thing they say is, "really, why dentistry"...

leave me alone 🙂

 

[Doctora Foxy]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Pawnzy:
•ok... why does my picture not work. :/•••••I sent you a private message, so go check them 😀

 

[Pawnym]

hehe, your PM mailbox is full. 😳

but I have the url right.

/me remembers his web design days. 😛

 

[Doctora Foxy]

What!! Yesterday I had 22 messages, now it's full? Tell everyone to stop harassing me!!!!

(just kidding, I love gettin mail :wink: )

I'll go delete some......

editng: I take that back, I must have had more than 22.

 

[Pawnym]

much luv para la doctora foxy 🙂

 

[megkudos]

Hey Dr. Foxy,
I think your reasons sound nice and make a lot of sense 🙂
One thing I noticed though...I wouldn't start off saying "I don't really don't know why I want to be a doctor", even though it leads into your reasoning. Maybe something like, "I have wanted to be a doctor ever since I can remember, before I really had any concrete reasons." Then go on to your reasoning.

Only cuz "I don't really know why I want to be a doctor" is kinda shocking at first, and you never can tell what will stick into their heads. YOu get what I'm saying?

Just what struck me when I read your post 🙂 Forgive me if I'm being annoying or anything, I just hope you rock you million and one interviews you have coming up 🙂 Good luck 😀

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Thanks meg, I appreciate the advice 😀

 

[oldman]

i hate it when i'm asked this question at interviews because that's what i spent all my effort writing a personal statement for.

Oh well, I guess for the closed file interviews they haven't read my essay yet.

 

[USeF]

recently I got the puzzled face and "why doctor?" question.. I just smiled and explained just how much I wanted to apply the sciences to harness the healing power of the body.. and help shape health care not just for individuals, but for communities, and the other good stuff that sounds better for the interviewers than the simple 'cuz that's what I'd be best at, duh!'
content, but not fully satisfied she told me that she always thought I'd be a professor from the enthusiasm I had in tutoring. So in my long winded way, I'm trying to say be honored, not offended, than you can explain why you have chosen this profession. More than likely, the person probably thinks good of you and wants to confirm that you're not going to be the type of Docta that Foxy's sis got treated by. 🙂

 

[lemarck_2000]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by simseema17:
•I'm just speaking from my own experience, but it seems like people in other professions never have to justify why they chose it. A lot of my friends are either in law or business school, and no one cares to ask why...when I say dental school, the first thing they say is, "really, why dentistry"...

leave me alone 🙂 •••••People ask this about all careers. Before I graduated from a ph.d program, my veterinarian cousin asked me why I would even consider getting a doctorate in math. He said it is sooo hard and you can't do ANYTHING WITH a math phd.

 

[Definately Definitely]

those complaining are right. God forbid people be interested in your motives behind why you've chosen such an admirable career.

 

[pwrpfgrl]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Doctora Foxy:
•

Now, if I say this on my interview on Thursday, is it cool? Or too cliche (cuz it's the truth!) 😕 •••••I think it sounds great. I feel similarly about the cheese aspect - sometimes I don't want to say my real reasons for wanting to be an MD (you know, helping people, making a difference, educating patients about their own health) because I know it sounds so cheesy, but really, those ARE the reasons why I want to go into medicine. Is there any way make sure the interviewer knows you're sincere and not just saying what we think they want to hear??? 😕

 

[Chadleez1]

The majority of the peoplle in my large extended family have not gone to college, and here I am, doing just that and wanting to go to med school and be a doctor someday. THey give me this question all the time at reunions, holiday get togethers, etc., and I always just smile and say it's all I can ever remember REALLY wanting to be. They usually pass over any answer I give and go straight to, "Well, my friend Mary Beth, who is a doctor, and her husband, who is a doctor, both workin Florida and they just bought a three hundred thousand dollar house...blah blah blah." I know they are happy for me and all, but I think they just can't imagine going through all that. But they support me, more or less, and my parents most definitely are there for me, so that's all that matters.

 

[Pawnym]

•••quote:•••those complaining are right. God forbid people be interested in your motives behind why you've chosen such an admirable career</font>•••Thanks for reading my post. 🙄

in other news..... got my chem and chem lab tomorrow. I'm psyked! Love my science classes. I love school. <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" />