Need help concerning what career I should take in medicine!!

Pre-Med & Medical School Careers in Medicine
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<p>Hello everyone. I have a question concerning what type of doctor I want to be. Over the years I have considered many types of doctors, but I have had a recent interest in pediatric oncology. For about a year now I have been researching it. However, I have found little information that helps me. I am still in high school, going through the admission process as we speak and I just don't know if I am cut out to be a doctor, even though it is just about the only thing I have ever wanted to do. Well here goes with the questions. Any info, will be of great help. Thanks in advance. </p>

<p>1) How much do pediatric oncologists get paid? I don't want to be a doctor for the money, but if I have to go to school for 8+ years I want to know I will live halfway decent.
2) Just how stressful is it? I know there is a high mortality rate.
3) Are pediatric oncologists able to start up there own practices fairly easy?
4) Just who long will I have to be in school, including residency?
5) I have a great interest in working in 3rd world countries. Does anyone know of any programs I could get information on that allows you to work in places like Africa, South America? Also would this be a good idea? I know you would barely be paid a thing, and would probably be living in a hut, but it has always been of great interest to me.
6) I have recently also gotten interested in Aminal medicine, what would you have to do to become an exotic aminal veternarian? I would also be interested in working in a place like India or African, helping with endangered species. Does anyone have any info on this? </p>

<p>Thank you all again!!!</p>

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<p>I can help with some of these questions. First and most important. If you are still a senior in high school, you have 6 or 7 years to figure out what field you want. Don't worry about it.</p>

<p>Pediatric oncology is one of the most depressing, stressful and emotionally painful of all human occupations. God bless the people who do it, but you had better love it to endure the life you will lead.</p>

<p>All pediatric specialties pay less than their adult counterparts. I do not know specifically about ped oncology, but you can count on making enough to pay off your debts, buy a house, and send your kids to college. You will not get rich. </p>

<p>Starting up your own practice vs working for others will depend a lot on where you settle. It will be more difficult to strike out on your own in crowded medical markets like San Francisco, Boston or New York.</p>

<p>College 4 years, medical school 4 years, pediatrics residency 3, I think, oncology fellowship 2, I think. So about 13 years. Only the oncology fellowship, and of course, the rest of your life, is likely to be miserable. pediatric residency seems to be quite pleasant.</p>

<p>There are probably useful things you can do in the third world with pediatric oncology. Remember that you will train in the US at a major medical center and learn a style of medicine that can only be practiced in such places. You will then go to the third world and work in places that do not have bone marrow transplant units, MRI's, microspecialists in every field, etc. There will still be kids with cancer, and you can probably help them, but you will not be able to treat them as you would if they were at the hospital where you trained.</p>

<p>I don't know anything about #6.</p>

<p>Good luck, and, again, don't worry about your specialty until you have a year or two of med school under your belt.</p>

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<p>As states above you have tons of time to decide. Most likely what you pick now will change. First concentrate on getting into med school. Then once your in there and you see everything, you will know what your calling is.</p>

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<p>hay whats up yall um i am intrestd in a career in medicin and would like help on geting prepared and the best way is by being here. So i am a sophmore in high school i know it might sound to soon for me to be thinking about college but i want to be prepared and the best way is by getting started early. My dad is a Doctor in Connecticut and he will also help me. he wants me to go to something like Harvard Or Yale But i want to make sure i am making the right desisions. I get great grades and my lowest are A-'s i have a pasion in helping people and i would like to make this dream go further taht whats it is now so please email me.</p>

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<p>good day everyone hope someone can help me make some desisions on what school to choose from thanx</p>

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<p>Thank you bigndude and afan for your comments they were very helpful!</p>

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<p>does anyone know anything about st.jude</p>

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<p>you could try their website...</p>