Medical School Mentoring and Thoughts Circulating Joining

[volepip1]

Good Evening Everyone!

I came to introduce myself. I'm 22, in a 7 year medical program. I received my white coat last fall ( whoop whoop!) and am excited to complete the last two years...Nonetheless, I have had MANY ups and downs and knowing that I would truly feel like I pass out on so many of my dreams for something that I'm not sure I truly love or not has been haunting me for a while. I wanted to ask if there's anyone who has been through medical school and know of those ups and down moments...Currently, I'm on a leave of absence for personal reasons but will be going back in January. I would really appreciate a personal mentor especially since I know its not easy being a black female stating im not sure if this is the career for me. I also wanted some advice about joining an organization and what that commitment would truly entail. Every commitment I have ever made, I have given my all to. Nonetheless, I've been told by members of the organization that joining should not be something on my mind right now since the program is so demanding and I've been having trouble with it many times. This, however, does not amend my feelings or desire to feel part of a community that works tirelessly for the community and to benefit and improve the life of others as well as their members. I've always believed in the idea of giving back to the community especially since it was instilled in me as a kid when I grew up in a program that made a commitment to me just as much as I made a commitment to them. I have grown from being part of that community since I was young and now, I'm hoping to find a person who'd be kind enough to make time to teach and help me grow as I will try to give back as much as I can as well.....I know this sounds like alot but I figured I should try =) Thank you to all those for reading.

[Lettered]

Originally Posted by volepip1

Good Evening Everyone!

I came to introduce myself. I'm 22, in a 7 year medical program. I received my white coat last fall ( whoop whoop!) and am excited to complete the last two years...Nonetheless, I have had MANY ups and downs and knowing that I would truly feel like I pass out on so many of my dreams for something that I'm not sure I truly love or not has been haunting me for a while. I wanted to ask if there's anyone who has been through medical school and know of those ups and down moments...Currently, I'm on a leave of absence for personal reasons but will be going back in January. I would really appreciate a personal mentor especially since I know its not easy being a black female stating im not sure if this is the career for me. I also wanted some advice about joining an organization and what that commitment would truly entail. Every commitment I have ever made, I have given my all to. Nonetheless, I've been told by members of the organization that joining should not be something on my mind right now since the program is so demanding and I've been having trouble with it many times. This, however, does not amend my feelings or desire to feel part of a community that works tirelessly for the community and to benefit and improve the life of others as well as their members. I've always believed in the idea of giving back to the community especially since it was instilled in me as a kid when I grew up in a program that made a commitment to me just as much as I made a commitment to them. I have grown from being part of that community since I was young and now, I'm hoping to find a person who'd be kind enough to make time to teach and help me grow as I will try to give back as much as I can as well.....I know this sounds like alot but I figured I should try =) Thank you to all those for reading.

Regarding your thoughts about medical school, look into the Artemis Medical Society. Their website is in the testing phase, but their FB page is very active.

If you are looking to join an NPHC sorority, I would caution against biting off more than you can chew all at the same time. Prioritize, and being that you are on a leave of absence, it does not seem that sorority life should necessarily be at the top of the list. Remember that the opportunities for membership are present following undergraduate and professional school, and succeeding in those arenas may strengthen your position as a viable candidate.

[GammaGirl1908]

Agree 100% with Lettered. I don't know anything about becoming a doctor, as I work in a non-medical field. However, I do know a little about joining an NPHC (assuming that is what you want to join), and it will still be there after you finish school.

Not only that, but an excellent whatever-you-end-up-being (even if not a doctor) is a more attractive candidate than a student who's having a tough time finding her footing.

We've all been around for ~100 years; we're not going anywhere. Focus on your education first, greekdom second.

Hope things improve for you very soon.

[DubaiSis]

It occurs to me you are missing the best person with which to consult RE your questions about your life path - your academic advisor. I would think this isn't a terribly unusual concern and it is probably in the school's interest to either get you over your concerns or get you moved into a more suitable field.

I think when people are very smart (and you must be to have gotten this far) they sort of automatically go to law or medicine. But there's a big wide world out there and just because you CAN get through med school doesn't mean you should. I'd talk to your advisor (or a therapist) and work your way through what you love about your work, what you hate about it, what you can change and what you can't. You may find doctor is a perfect role for you, but you need to work in not for profit (Medecins sans Frontiers), or you need to be a private physician for 1 rich guy, or you want to do research, or you need to consult. Cerner, for example, hires doctors and nurses to work with the computer programmers and sales force to improve their software. It sounds like an awful choice to me, but obviously it's a good choice for some.