In the future, I can vividly picture myself as a pediatrician.

My desire to be a pediatrician
stems from many sources. My father, for one a pediatrician in his country. A savior. A hero. A
man who I saw with my own eyes, lose his ambition and wish to continue when he moved to the
United States, and began driving a taxi to fend for his children. I have a desire to not let his
legacy die. My mother, also influences my decision to be a physician. Growing up, whilst
children heard stories of peter pan and happily ever afters, my bed time stories would be lined
by blood. Stories of women dying in pregnancy due to an inefficiency of medical care, children
who died with wounds that got infected. Deaths that can be avoided. I was captivated by stories
of children who have never eaten a mango in their life. Captivated by another world, a world
where the simple pleasures of life are not given to those just like us. A child, a mother, a father,
a sister, a brother.I cannot think of a profession that would fit my personality as well as a
physician. I have been trained all my life to be empathetic to those around me, as if I can feel
the pain of others. Lastly, my parents, my family would be proud to say that I have become a
doctor and Im aiding those like the ones that were once lost in their country.
The education aspect of being a pediatrician requires four years of undergraduate
studies, four years of medical school, and finally a residency that requires 3-8 years. Finally, the
doctor must pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). After doing this, I would
like to become a part of the organization called Doctors Without Borders, which has a general
requirement of experience. The path to this knowledge, is long and full of thorns, and of this
education required next year would be my first in undergraduate. It will take me appx. 10-14
years to achieve my goal. So far, Ive had 3 years of exposure with the medical field. In the
office of Dr. Riffat Sadiq, MD where I interned as a student medical assistant. In May 2015, the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were 28,660 general pediatricians
employed in the United States. These professionals earned an average annual salary of
$183,180, per BLS data. Overall employment of physicians and surgeons, including general
pediatricians, was expected to grow 14% from 2014-2024, which was much faster than average.
The doctor must be able to communicate well with both children and parents. They often need
to provide detailed explanations of treatment course options and assuage fears. Sympathetic
bedside manners are highly valued in this particular area of medicine.
The job however comes with negative aspects as well as positive ones. The obvious
negative aspect of a pediatrician would be the time frame. The pediatrician will become a
pediatrician after a long journey of struggle, and will be a student while his/her friends are
beginning to earn. The positive aspect however, will be the self-satisfaction one will receive after
the journey is coming to an end. Also the power of being able to change the life of those in need
is a big positive attribute to the job. The public perception of this career is a positive attribute as
well. A doctor is honored throughout the world, and perceived as having mass knowledge. This
profession, however may mesh with having a family, but in my case I plan on starting a family in
medical school which will not be easy but easier than starting it after.

Works cited
Com, Study .. "General Pediatrician: Job Description, Duties and Requirements." General
Pediatrician: Job Description, Duties and Requirements. Study,com, n.d. Web.
"Doctors without Borders." N.p., n.d. Web.