I've had some weird career goals over the years. From ballet dancer to benevolent dictator of the world, I had many aspirations as a child. Some worried my parents more than others, as I'm sure you might imagine. I have one memory when I proudly proclaimed to my parents that I was going to become a hobo. My parents were surprised...to say the least. I was quick to reassure them.
"Don't worry," I said, "I'm not gonna be just any hobo! I'm gonna be a rich hobo with a big bag of money on a stick."
These whimsical workings of imagination filled my childhood. However, like any child, I became aware of an ever-approaching adult world. I had to consider what I wanted to do with my life, and that fact overwhelmed me.
I mused for a while about potential careers, but I didn't have enough information about what those jobs do daily. So, I thought more abstractly.
I decided that I want to become a medical physician. Doctors are in the room in critical moments of a human's life, from birth to death. More importantly, doctors are there when a person and their family face hardship and strife. People become doctors for many reasons: the humanitarian service, the high salary, the mystery of the human body and mind. I want to be the type of doctor that, while uses medical knowledge to the fullest, also remembers that each patient is a person, first and foremost. People want to live long, healthy lives. Whether a person wants to live in lavish isolation or herein a happy home, I want to help them continue living so they can continue their contribution in our shared human experience.
For cases where I can't help them live, I want to be a compassionate person who provides comfort to the dying and the mourning. Perhaps this idea is silly or long-winded to others; however, it is an ideal that I have carried for years and that I am determined to carry out.
"Don't worry," I said, "I'm not gonna be just any hobo! I'm gonna be a rich hobo with a big bag of money on a stick."
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| Man with a Bag of Money. Web Source: Public Domain Files |
I mused for a while about potential careers, but I didn't have enough information about what those jobs do daily. So, I thought more abstractly.
I decided that I want to become a medical physician. Doctors are in the room in critical moments of a human's life, from birth to death. More importantly, doctors are there when a person and their family face hardship and strife. People become doctors for many reasons: the humanitarian service, the high salary, the mystery of the human body and mind. I want to be the type of doctor that, while uses medical knowledge to the fullest, also remembers that each patient is a person, first and foremost. People want to live long, healthy lives. Whether a person wants to live in lavish isolation or herein a happy home, I want to help them continue living so they can continue their contribution in our shared human experience.
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| People Standing in Front of a Globe. Web Source: Max Pixel |
Oh, a rich hobo with a big bag of money sounds like the hero of a folktale, Rebekah: maybe you really will imagine yourself as that rich hobo and tell the story of your adventures. It's not your career path now... but it could be a fun storytelling idea! When facts are overwhelming, storytelling can be a great place of refuge, and even a place of discovery where you figure things out you might not have discerned amongst the overwhelming facts. And some doctors use storytelling as part of their art. Do you know Atul Gawande? He is one of my favorite writers... I can't vouch for his doctoring skills (although I bet they are pretty good!), but his storytelling skills are impressive. Here's his website if you are interested: Gawande's website. In coping with my parents and their medical woes, his book "Being Mortal" was one of the most helpful things that I read. Highly recommended if you ever have time for spare reading... although I'm not sure that is a luxury that premeds enjoy! Anyway, I hope you will find this class both useful and fun. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Rebekah! I think the reasons you want to be a doctor is very admirable. It is so true that doctors are there for every big and little event that happens in our lives; especially like the birth to death example you gave. In a way, I see doctors as life psychologists because they help their patients through all the roller coasters of emotions they may encounter while in the surgical room, waiting room, or even patient room.
ReplyDeleteHi Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteYour previous aspirations were relatable! When I was younger, I wondered what life would be like if I lived under a huge rock. Now that I think about it, I don't think that's possible! One can dream though! Like you, I want to make healthcare more personal. That is partly the reason why I want to become a Physician Assistant - there is more patient interaction! Both of our careers provide humanitarian service! I hope we hope succeed in the future!
Hi Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate that you’re in the pre-med mindset that you want to treat patients as if they’re people, not looking them as ways to make money/statistics. I’m also pre-med and right now I’m in the process of applying to medical school. Keeping your head up can be hard during some of the more difficult classes here, but with some perseverance (which is definitely seems like you have boatloads of) it isn’t as bad as some people say it is.
Can’t wait for the rest of this class with you!
Andrew
Hey Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteBeing a doctor is such an awesome goal and vital thing for society, that sounds like a great career path to help people in important ways. I like how you talked about each patient being a person. That's a really neat way of approaching a healthcare profession. Your childhood aspirations were pretty entertaining to read! Best of luck on your path to becoming a doctor.
Hi Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteYour introduction is really funny! I really appreciate the dictator of the world thing. That made me laugh. I'm also applying to medical school this cycle so it is always nice to see another fellow premed around! Good luck in school this semester and best wishes! I look forward to reading some of your stories! Rule the world!
Hey Rebekah! Your introduction is VERY relatable. I myself have had a myriad of career aspirations over the years, each influenced by whatever book I was reading at the time. You can imagine how chaotic this was when my tastes ranged from dystopian YA to archaeologist's notes of tomb excavations. It's nice to see that we both somehow ended up on the same career path. I think your reasons for wanting to be a doctor are all the right ones; you've given me more reasons to fall in love with my future profession. Here's to hoping we can both follow this path to the end!
ReplyDeleteHey Rebekah! I think its awesome that you had so many ideas as a kid of what you wanted to do with life, and happened to land on being a doctor. I am also trying to go to medical school, and I think medicine is the most noble profession there is, as you are directly touching peoples lives. I'm sure you'll be an amazing doctor!
ReplyDeleteRebekah,
ReplyDeleteI love your reason for wanting to be a doctor. I think that is really cool and unique. I don't think I've ever heard someone tell me that's why they want to be a doctor before, so that's really cool. Like yourself, I also struggled with what I wanted to be when I grew up and I still quite haven't figured it out, but that's okay. I have my whole life to do that. I'm an engineering major, so your field of study is far far away from mine, and I'm thankful for that because it seems really hard! I wish you the best!
Hi Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteI too want to be a physician. I absolutely adore and respect the reason you want to become a doctor. It is so important to remember that the patients are also people, not just beings with diseases. I try and remember that I will be treating the patient, rather than just treating a disease, so I totally understand where you are coming from!
Hi Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteYour story about how you wanted to be a hobo is hilarious! I also had a very active imagination when I was younger. I remember when I was about 8 or younger, I only wanted to be a voice-over for cartoons. I didn't start seriously thinking about adult life until high school, and to be honest, it still overwhelms me a little, and I'm a senior... But I love your reason behind wanting to be a doctor and how passionate and dedicated your are to carrying it out.
Hi Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteThe part about being a rich hobo is hilarious. It honestly wouldn't be a terrible life. I remember when I was six I wanted to run away and go backpacking across the States. I walked out into my family's living room and told everyone about my plan. I walked outside and decided maybe that wasn't the best idea. Also, I like you reasoning and path to wanting to become a doctor. Good luck on you future endeavors!
Hey Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteI definitely cracked up at the rich hobo thing. When I was a kid, I used to tell people I wanted to be a troll and live under a bridge! I grew out of that too, lol. I also really admire your reasoning for becoming a doctor. I've had many doctors who treat me just like any other patient or have even been mean to me and caused me harm. Your motivation to become a doctor is really noble.
Hi Rebekah!! That rich hobo thing made laugh for a good time as it was really cool to see some humor! I was the same kid as I had so many ideas of what I was going to do as I grew up and today I am nowhere near what I thought I was going to be. I am in awe of your commitment to becoming a doctor and I have mad respect for you in the fact that you would pursue that degree! I hope the best for you and I know you will be successful in whatever you do!!
ReplyDeleteHi Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you were a very fun child. I think we would all be rich hobos if we were given the option. I would love to be a nomad with big bag of money as long as a didn't get robbed. I think its awesome that you are going into the medical field, and I think you'll do a great job.
Hey Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteIt turns out a couple of the career aspirations you had aren't mutually exclusive. I am working to pursue a career in ballet (ballet performance is one of my majors at OU) and I can certify that most ballerinas are hobos. (Okay, not actually, but for some reason we wear a lot of shabby warm-up clothing and end up carrying around an astronomical amount of backpacks, bags, and totes. We'd certainly benefit from shopping cart transportation.)
I love your thoughts on doctors and how they are involved in important moments throughout our lives! Best of luck in this pursuit.
Nice to meet you, Rebekah! After reading through your reasoning of wanting to become a doctor, I have no doubt that your compassion and care for others will take you where you want to be! The world definitely needs more people with your mindset of being kind to people, regardless of who they are or what they desire. I hope it goes well and you achieve your goals! Good luck with the rest of the semester as well!
ReplyDeleteHi Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteYour views on the medical profession are thoughtful and I agree wholesale — I think a lot of people become fixated on the highly technical work of the specialist or the surgeon, and, as important as that is, they forget that the most important role of a doctor is personal. Have you considered become a general, first-port-of-call physician? I think there’s a distinct lack of generalist physicians, and it’s harming quality of care. Just a thought.
It’s also wonderful that you’re considering end-of-life care and helping to comfort and care for people in that most difficult of times. It takes a very certain temperament to do so, and those people are beacons of light for the rest of us in some of our darkest hours.
Best of luck to you in all you endeavors!
Best,
A.M.
Hey Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteI loved your intro, I think it is so funny to think back on all of the different "jobs" we once thought would be fun. I always wanted to be a vet or a teacher, but for a time I wanted to be my mom's housecleaner. I loved stay home with my mom, and so I figured if I became her housecleaner, I could always be at home with her! Kids' minds are hilarious. I'm excited to continue reading your blog!
Hello Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteI like the way your introduction page looks, it fits well with the way you describe yourself. You seem to be a very comical and interesting person. I too as a child wanted to be a benevolent dictator. It would seem we both picked something different you with doctor and me with nurse. I think you have big aspirations in life but oddly enough reading your text I feel like you can accomplish them!
Hello Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteFor a future doctor you sure know how to clearly write out your words and describe yourself accurately. That is not something that many people let alone people in the STEM field can do! I loved getting to read about who you were through this introduction and I loved reading your story!
Hi Rebekah! I really enjoyed reading your introduction. I especially enjoyed the bit that included all of your future-career musings. Very funny! I am glad that through all of your musing you were able to find a career path that you were truly passionate about. I also enjoyed what you said about being a doctor- "Doctors are in the room in critical moments of a human's life, from birth to death." What a great way to put it!
ReplyDeleteHey Rebekah! I really love that, after thinking really hard about what you wanted to do with your life, you decided to become a doctor. I'm actually Pre-Med too, applying to med school right now, so I completely get what you're going through. We definitely need lots of doctors that have a mindset like yours-- the patient is always the most important consideration, and it's the doctor's job to protect the patient's health and wellbeing and be their advocate! I can really tell you're passionate about medicine, and I want to wish you good luck with everything in the future!
ReplyDeleteHey there Rebekah! Thank you for sharing a little bit of who you are with the class! I am a pre-med student as well, and I am actually headed to my third interview next week! I decided to take the podiatry route after shadowing a ton of different doctors of all kinds of specialities, and so I hope you find your route of choice as well. I wish you the best as this semester comes to a close, and I hope that the rest of your pre-med adventure isn't too terrible!
ReplyDeleteHello Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteTHe introduction page looks great! You're really funny and i like the way that you're describing yourself. You have some awesome goals and I think hat you are capable of achieving whatever you want to do! As a premed student i can totally relate to the stress and the struggle. I am looking forward to reading your stories!
Hi Rebekah! Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself. It’s always funny to look back on the things we said as kids. I think that is awesome that you decided you want to become a doctor in the future. I have a couple of close friends on the pre-med track, and I know how much work it is, so congrats to you! I Best of luck with the rest of the school year.
ReplyDeleteHello Rebekah! Thank you for introducing yourself with all this amazing information! Good luck with pre-med and all that comes after it. That is a crazy major with a lot of work and I respect that. What you have planned for your future is great to see and I have no doubts that you will become a great and successful doctor in the future!
ReplyDeleteHi Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteIt also took me a long time to figure out what to become. I've changed my major so many times I've lost track of what my old ones were. That's great you want to be a doctor! We could always use more in the world. Sounds like you're a compassionate person and have good reasons for wanting to become a doctor. Good luck in your journey!
Hey Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteHow’ve you been? The semester is wrapping up and I know things as a pre-med student can get very stressful. Just know that everyone else is in the same exact boat you’re in, so don’t stress as much! My finals are done on Tuesday of next week, which is the earliest they’ve been done in a while. I hope your winter break is full of rest!
Andrew
Hi Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteI really like your portion about why you want to become a doctor. It was giving me total greys anatomy vibes (which i love that show.) It was very intriuging to hear about your life and your reasoning for your determination. I wish you good luck! Thanks for creating such good work!
Hello Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteI admire your want to become a doctor! I have many friends who are pursuing degrees in the medical field so I kind of understand the struggles of what you are going through, or at least what they look like. I have had a rough semester this year as well so just keep your head up and know it will pay off!