Formal Paper #2 - Careers

Careers

ISM 6th Period

Amita Raj

11/17/2010

            There are so many fields of medicine, and each one is fascinating in its own way. What is most enthralling about this field of study is that medicine branches into various specialties, all seemingly different but inherently cohesive. One branch cannot exist without the help of another. This is why even though specialists may dedicate an extra four years to a certain field of study, they must be aware of other systems and how their own specialty is related to them.

            My primary interest in medicine is Radiology. A Radiologist is a physician who has been trained in the interpretation of medical images. These images come from x-rays or radioactive substances (a subspecialty called nuclear medicine). Images can also come from sound waves (ultrasound) and the body’s natural magnetism (MRI). (Professions in Radiology)

            Having been exposed to this field for a summer, I feel that it is a good fit for me. Every case is different because every person is built differently. Although it is one of the ‘dry’ fields of medicine, a great deal of critical thinking is required when looking at images. Radiologists have to go through years of practice (and an oral exam). After four years of undergraduate school, radiologists must go through an additional 4 years of medical school (as with most physicians), 3 years of residency and an optional 2 years of fellowship. They also must be certified by the American Board of Radiology.

            These days, the number of Radiologists in the country has been decreasing. This is because many imaging companies are outsourcing their images to overseas, where doctors scan the same images for a smaller amount of money. This means that the radiology profession may not be viable in the long run. However, it is said that there may be a shortage of doctors so the true predictability of this field is very hazy.

            Another fascinating branch of medicine is Oncology. Oncologists are physicians who study, diagnose, and treat cancerous tumors. They practice in hospitals and medical centers, university hospitals, and research organizations. Oncologists go through a similar amount of schooling as radiologists, but additional years of study are required if the physician wants to sub-specialize in, for example, radiation oncology, surgical oncology or even pediatric oncology.

            Oncology may perhaps be the most advanced field of medicine. This is because as the world’s population increases, and in some countries life expectancies increase, more people are falling sick and the number of cancer patients is increasing dramatically. This branch of medicine is fascinating because it is sometimes extremely difficult to find the cause of the cancer. Doctors must be innovative and use a great deal of knowledge and experiences when trying to treat or cure a patient.

            The types of cancers that exist may be treatable but not curable, or may be curable all together. It is very satisfactory for a doctor when they cure someone who had a disease that was slowly killing them. Oncologists save many lives during their careers. The only downside of this field is that some patients cannot be cured, and can only be treated temporarily. The doctor-patient relationships must be really strong for all oncologists because they must be strong, firm, and compassionate when giving a patient the news.

            Oncologists will always remain in business because cancer is not a disease that can be eradicated. There will always be a bigger need for these kinds of doctors.

            As of this point in time, I am unable to make a firm decision about what kind of doctor I may want to be. There are so many possibilities and I have not yet been exposed to all of them. I look forward to my years of study and hope that I will be as successful as the doctors I work with today.

Bibliography

"Professions in Radiology." RadiologyInfo - The Radiology Information Resource for Patients.

Web. 15 Nov. 2010 <http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/careers/index.cfm?pg=diacareer>.

"What Is a Radiologist? - What Is a Radiologist? - Radiology Channel." Radiology Procedures –

Your Radiology Community - Radiology Channel. 1 May 2000. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.

<http://radiology.healthcommunities.com/aboutradiology/radiologist.shtml>.

"What Is an Oncologist? - What Is an Oncologist? - Oncology Channel." Cancer, Tumors,

Patient Ed, Physician-Developed - Your Oncology Community - Oncology Channel. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http://www.oncologychannel.com/oncologist.shtml>.

Formal Paper #1 - Leadership

Leadership

ISM 6th Period

Amita Raj

9/8/2010

            Eric Hoffer (a philosopher) once said, “The leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist.” [1]

            It is important for one to know the limitations of the circumstances or situations. However, it is within these refines that success can thrive and flourish. The Independent Study Mentorship (ISM) course allows students to realize these limitations earlier in their lives. This is essential to having a productive future because changing one’s mind, especially during the final years of college, can be a reality shock.

            Leaders know exactly what they want, and they know the means they need to achieve their goals. This is especially important when interacting with a mentor. Mentors would have more confident in a protégé if the latter exhibited an understanding of material they learn in the field and are able to apply these facets of knowledge elsewhere. For example, a cardiologist would teach his or her student about the basic functioning of a heart during an arrhythmia. Although this may be theoretical at first, the student would be able to apply this information in such a way that if there were three clinical cases of different conditions, the student should (after being observing and monitoring the patient) be able to identify the patient with arrhythmia.

            This example highlights the fact that success and knowledge should be the top priorities to a leader, particularly in an environment in which the display of maturity and level-headedness is involved. As a human being, it is rewarding to teach someone specialized skills and have them be self-sufficient and independent with the new knowledge.

            Confidence is another fact that should be displayed by leaders, and subsequently ISM students. Being weak and vulnerable shows the mentor that the student is not comfortable with the circumstances. If this is a case that might happen again in the future, the mentor might feel that this field of study might not be the best choice for the student to carry out, and will see that his or her efforts were in vain. For example, if a student gets queasy around blood and panics at the sight of it, surgery might not be the best career path unless it is possible to overcome this fear and embrace the benefits that performing surgery has on the patient and on the surgeon.

            Showing leadership traits such as honesty, competency and intelligence [2] allows the leader to display the perfect ‘model example’ that others would strive to follow. “Simply possessing each trait is not enough; you have to display it in a way that people notice.” [2] Merely possessing these traits would not provide the mentor with much information about the student unless the characteristics were displayed efficiently in the work environment. In the classroom, the student who portrays this confidence and maturity will be valued among his or her peers. These qualities will inspire others to succeed in their own limitations and set idealistic but realistic goals for themselves.

            Although many think it may not seem important in high school, appearance is a key factor of judgment in the working world. Unbeknownst to many, we evaluate and judge people based on their first appearance. Although over time some of the initial assumptions we made may fade, there is always the inklings of the first introduction that sits in the back of our minds. Being groomed, well manicured and properly dressed, not only when first interacting with the mentor, is essential even in future meetings. Speaking articulately and clearly with the mentor, his or her peers in the establishment, and in the classroom allows everyone to see that the student is prospering in his or her learning environment and reaping the benefits that ISM has to provide. Showing all of these characteristics allows the mentor, the teacher and the student to see that they can handle responsibility and respect efficiently and maturely. It is important to be thought of as a valuable asset and/or peer than a child and a burden.

ISM challenges students and prepares them for decisions they may have to make towards colleges and careers. Through extensive research and writing assignments, the student is able to prepare themselves for the world outside high school—a world that is very complicated.

Bibliography:

"Definition of a Leader." Virtual Teacher Aide. Web. 05 Sept. 2010.

<http://www.vtaide.com/gleanings/leader.htm>.

Shead, Mark. "Leadership Traits: The Five Most Important Leadership Qualities." Web log post. Leadership501:Examining the Gears of Leadership. Web. 05 Sept. 2010.

<http://www.leadership501.com/five-most-important-leadership-traits/27/>.