Tell me your job, I’ll tell who you are!

I am a medical student right before the specialty choice. Our last year was made up of month-long practices finished with oral exams. After my 2 month-long pediatric practice, I am studying for my upcoming final. But this time, I enjoy the preparation because, to my biggest surprise, I loved the last 2 months. I have never thought I would ever be interested in this specialty. I was always fascinated by the complexity of the human brain, so I wanted to be a neurologist. I was so hundred percent sure about it. And right now, as a final year med student, who should have a confident, strong answer to the question “What kind of doctor will you be?”; well, I have no answer…

I met so many different specialties, and I realized how much theory differs from practice. I also feel that my priorities have changed through the years. So now, I am in constant research for the answer. Self-knowledge is a good way to start. As different occupations, different medical specialties also attract different kinds of people. Some personality traits work better in one area than in another one. I picked some of the most stereotypical medical specialties and described the person who would be a perfect fit for that certain field. Besides, I wrote there another suiting occupation. If somebody may be about to change…

Oh, those stereotypes…

1. Pediatricians: based on my experiences (which are quite fresh), they are the sweetest, the nicest people ever. First of all, someone choosing this specialty must be patient. They have to be able to calm down and charm a child while they are holding a needle in their hand; that takes time… They deeply care for human beings; it is essential for them to feel that they can help. They also have exceptional communication skills. According to the Myers-Briggs personality test, people with these features can also be excellent in social services, like education or social work.
2. Neurologists: the “mathematicians of medicine”. Specialists of this medical field can leave a weird first impression on us. They are very rational and very logical, which sometimes translates in a cold and distant behavior but it is a big mistake to think they don’t have feelings. They tend to be introverted so they don’t express feelings easily but they deeply care for their patients and can “read” and understand people. The “neurologist-types” with their special personality traits would make great lawyers, too.
3. Psychiatrists: these types of people are the definition of “The Human Whisperer”. Generally speaking, a good psychiatrist is open-minded and curious. Just like the human psyche, they also tend to be colorful and diverse, having multiple fields of interests. They must have excellent communication skills; otherwise, they cannot get close to their patients’ mind and soul. Psychiatrists could also make outstanding journalists, musicians, artists. Because they are not just open for new ideas, but look for them, they can be great in research, too.
4. Surgeons: if you watched Grey’s Anatomy, I guess you already have a picture… Of course, the series uses strong typification but still, they got some points right. Surgeons must have confidence, and they tend to be extroverted. This is the way they deal with the pressure which comes with every single operation. They are also the “men of action”. They like to think clearly, without nuances: they see a problem, they search for the simplest, clearest solution and execute it. This mentality also works in business or financial management, especially on the stock market.
5. Anesthesiologists: they work in one of the most difficult and stressful fields of medicine. People who decide to choose this path must be in control over stressful situations. They don’t listen to their “inner voice”; they observe, sense and then make decisions based on the gained information. They tend to appreciate more the theoretical, technical side of medicine rather than the human side. One of the advantages of this personality type that they can really “keep calm” and work with their quick-witted mind and sharp logic. Another great occupation where you can make the most out of these features is engineering.
6. Pathologists: there is a saying, which -in my opinion- perfectly describes the beauty and difficulty of this job (it’s a joke, please, don’t take it too seriously): the surgeon — does everything, knows nothing; the internist — knows everything, does nothing; the pathologist — knows everything, does everything — but he’s a little too late… Mean thing: if you want to have good conversations with your patients, then this is not your job. These people have broad theoretical knowledge, they value it, but they are also creative and curious at the same time. They are looking for various problems they can solve and pathology can provide that. But there are other careers where these people could shine: software engineering or sciences, like physics.

And last but not least: how could I let you finish this article without getting a little advice? If you are also right before career choice and don’t really know, where to go, I recommend you the Myers-Briggs personality test. I did the test a week ago and it helped me to organize my thoughts about what I want. It also showed me those medical specialties which would possibly fit me (I tell you a secret: I will not be a pediatrician).

So, good luck in the future!