If you are considering becoming a surgeon when you grow older or in the not-so-distant future, there is a great deal you must learn ahead of time.
By doing so, you can be certain that you have made the right decision and take the necessary steps to guarantee entry into your career path of choice. If you would benefit from familiarising yourself with a number of handy tips to help you become a surgeon, continue reading to find out everything you need to know.
1. Do your research
It may sound obvious but if you want to become a surgeon or take up any senior title within the medical and healthcare sector, you must do your research ahead of time. This includes finding out which skills, strengths, and qualifications are required from the very onset, determining which colleges or universities are likely to offer the greatest education and training for your individual circumstances, and even familiarising yourself with the various specialisations available to you within the wider field. By doing your research at the earliest convenience, you can ensure you are fully equipped and prepared to become a surgeon when the time comes for you to begin your studies.
2. Choose a specialisation
As well as doing your research, you must also choose a specialisation. It may come as a surprise to learn, for example, that a surgeon can specialise in a wide range of specialities including cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, general surgery, trauma surgery, oral surgery, plastic surgery, paediatric surgery, and even orthodontic or dental surgery. It may not be necessary to make a final decision a number of years in advance, but it may benefit you to, at the very least, find out which each specialisation involves and decide whether or not you feel as if you would be interested in finding out more at a later stage. If you are interested in pursuing paediatric surgery, for example, you should familiarise yourself with a number of basics, such as Gillick competence testing for minors.
3. Write and publish as much content as you can
In today’s oversaturated job market, jobs can be few and far between. As a result, recent graduates are competing for fewer jobs than ever before and are doing whatever it takes to boost their chances of becoming a surgeon within their desired speciality. In order to stand out from the crowd, you must participate in a number of extracurricular activities and write and publish as much content as you can. To do so, contact consultants and registrars in your local area that you are familiar with and ask if you can publish case reports or research on their behalf. This can be a great way to get your name out there and boost awareness of your first-class skills and experience.
4. Find a mentor
If you are looking to improve your chances of becoming a surgeon, it may benefit you to find a mentor for a short-term or long-term basis. By doing so, you can ensure you have a sounding board, advisor, teacher, advocate, and friend if and when you need it and receive an answer to a niggling question or query in a matter of minutes to prevent you from making a number of common silly mistakes. A growing number of colleges and universities also now provide a mentor matching scheme so you can be reassured that you have made the right decision.
If you are considering becoming a surgeon, there are several steps you must take beforehand. This includes doing your research, choosing a specialisation, writing and publishing as much content as you can, and finding a mentor to guide you through the process from start to finish.