Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-05
Choosing Your Career
Medicine Provides Steady and Comfortable Income,
But Prerequisites Are Character, Intelligence,
Powers Of Observation and Background of
Education and TRAINING.
BY DIR. SHIRLEY W. WYNNE

articles DESIGNED to help young men and
nd sG5ee,; hcn dPgfsd TO t RSrS
IN some %" one SeiG. d. shrley " WHINE
CITY He is teIiow OF. The Academy Of
Medicine, president OF the Association OF
5safrs ssc GH S the Se1 YORK pos
consulting physicfdn at the willard
Y you should have the real urge
" to study medicine and a will
ingness to put service to others
1 above the desire to make money
II you are to become physician
of value to your community.
If you have a deep interest in scien-
tific Investigation, character, intelli-
gence. Eowers Of observation, a good
memory and possess industrious traits
you will hardly make any mistake in
taking up the medical profession, pro-
vided you feel the call to service in the
cause of humanity.
The training required of a doctor
these days Is expensive and you will
be at a decided disadvantage If you
have to work your way through college
You must plan from six to nine years
In college, medical school and hospital
service. The courses of study are diff
cult and so demanding on your mental
and physical powers that you can spare
little time for outside work.
To get the best results you should
have as few financial worries as posi-
BILE. You will find that you will aid
your career If you can afford to remain
in hospital service for longer than the
average period. Five years of such
work will be as worth while to you and
your patients as 10 years in the private
practice of the beginner.
College Course First.
You will also find it of advantage
you can take a regular college course
before you undertake the study of medi-
cine. Such training will help you
think straigher. 1t improves your judg-
ment and gives you a broader and
more tolerant viewpoint. It will equip
you for wider service.
Generally speaking, you will be wise
In selecting recognized school for your
medical training. You can't afford to
loaf when you take such a course. 1t
Is mostly hard work, with little play.
Reconcile yourself to that fact at the
outset and learn the habits of hard work
and concentration. They will stand
you In good stead when you became a
AAOoPAeoA A4eCAhC 0AAo ldLCI WHICH, yOu
take up your own practice.
Take as much hospital work, above
the amount required, as you can afford.
The longer your service of this nature
the more rounded your experience and
the better you will be able to determine
for yourself in whichever field of the
profession your talents lie. You will
know whether you prefer research work,
general practice, public health service or
the work Of specialist.
Personally, am inclined to the be-
lief that We need more general prac-
titioners and you will do we'll to con-
slider the opportunities for doing good
that such work offers you. We also
need more doctors in rural commune
ties. Many Of you would be wise in
starting your practice in the country
districts.
Perhaps, on the average, the young
doctor has better chance to make
progress, when he begins his practice,
If he establishes his office in rural
community. Statistics show that there
are many communities in the country
in which there is either none or only
one or two practicing physicians.