As we celebrate all it is to be a driven and passionate career woman, we take a look at one of the most challenging and gratifying careers and the reality of training to become a doctor.
Today Dr. Sasha Lake, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, St. George's University, School of Medicine in the Caribbean, shares her five tips that every female aspiring to be a medical student should keep in mind to prepare themselves for medical school and future roles requiring leadership:
Have confidence
Women must believe in themselves and that they have what it takes to succeed in their pursuit of becoming a doctor. They should trust in their passion for medicine and their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
Keep your passion alive
Every medical student will need to keep their passion for medicine alive; and there are a variety of activities that can help pique their inspiration and curiosity and develop their sense of altruism. For example, to continuously learn and find joy in helping others, consider volunteering at hospitals, or volunteering with clubs at your school or clubs in your community. Always remember that doctors have a great impact on society by helping and caring for people in a time of need. So, participating in these volunteer activities helps build the character and humility you will need as a medical student and a future doctor.
Have a game plan
To get into medical school, aspiring students need to have a game plan that includes academic milestones, extracurricular activities, and gaining relevant experience. They should hold themselves accountable in achieving this plan. Talk to academic advisors, or doctors you shadow, and let them be mentors who guide you towards successfully achieving the goals you have set in your game plan.
Challenge yourself
Aspiring medical students should always challenge themselves to develop leadership skills. For example, they can take on leadership roles in school clubs, community organizations, or research projects. Developing leadership skills will serve them well as future healthcare professionals and leaders.
Seek out medical opportunities
To gain exposure to the medical field, aspiring female students can try volunteering at hospitals, participating in health care-related internships, or shadowing doctors. This will give them valuable insights into the day-to-day life of a doctor and help confirm their passion for medicine.
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