[Elmo Lewis]

I am seventeen years old. Soon to be serving in the military of Israel (its mandatory here) I have started to train a while ago to make it into the elite infantary units, which are the most demanding but also most rewarding ones. Working my way to it, I have recieved a proposition, to go and take the psychometry exam ( I don't know the system in the states or Europe, but here before you go studying in the university, you take a psychometric exam that defines your abilities ) and if I pass that exam with a certain grade I am starting a course in Israel's most advanced hospital to become a doctor.

The course is 4 years old long, totally funded by the state, you also get a nice salary, you are majoring in a specific field in medicine that you choose, working side by side with top doctors. After those 4 years are over, you are starting your service in the army as a military doctor. The mandatory service stays 3 years.

The proposition sounds shining to me, but that means committing 7 years of my life in a field I have never had any connection to. (I don't study biology, or chemistry)
And that means starting the course at the age of 18, finish it at 22, starting the service and finish it at the age of 25. You recieve the academic degree of a doctor at the age of 25 which is rather significant. But it is making a decision for the next seven years which is rather terrifying for me.

Please share your thoughts.

[Baphomet]

I'm not completely sure Elmo, but you're kind of making me wish Tuth were still very active. I could be wrong here, but you sound somewhat familiar..

[kaotic]

Paging Dr. Khan and his doctorate degrees - he'll get you started !

[mammal]

You're really making only a 4-year commitment (the army isn't a choice, is it?)
Is being a doctor something you'd love, like a lot, like a little, hate? Try volunteering at a hospital, talking to nurses (doctors will be too busy to talk much to you.)
Keep in mind the logn hours, stress, consequences of making a mistake if you become a doctor. Long hours and little/no social life in med school too.
Of course the money's good, prestige, satisfaction of helping others get well.

[RatInTheWoods]

I think its a fantastic opportunity and you should grab it with both hands.

You will be set for life.

[The Beast1]

If you've never thought of being a doctor before, why don't you ask a doctor if you can shadow him and see if that's something you'd like to do.

As for the specialization, it's really what it comes down to what you want. Anaesthesiology is one of the first specializations that comes to mind for me that would be extremely portable anywhere in the world while also making good money.

Just a forewarning though, medicine is a career you marry. You'll be taking care of people and sometimes deal with the emotions that come with loved ones being out of it. You'll probably avoid this in the military but if you want to use this as a civilian career you should take it into consideration.

[Rocha]

(02-17-2016 01:28 PM)Elmo Lewis Wrote:  

...I if I pass that exam with a certain grade I am starting a course in Israel's most advanced hospital to become a doctor.

First pass that exam with that certain grade and then think about the future.

One of the problems of the youth of today is that you guys have very dispersed thoughts.

[Sonoma]

If in the worst case scenario, you fulfill your obligations, study, become a doctor and fucking hate it and want to start over, you're still in a better position than 95% of Americans (I know you're Israeli, but still)

Do it. I would say though that you're considering a position that doesn't seem completely available to you just yet. Take the tests and find out

[CodyB]

So you can become a fully trained doctor by the age of 22?

This seems hard to believe? Though I'm not well versed in the medical profession.

[Elmo Lewis]

(02-17-2016 07:30 PM)Sonoma Wrote:  

If in the worst case scenario, you fulfill your obligations, study, become a doctor and fucking hate it and want to start over, you're still in a better position than 95% of Americans (I know you're Israeli, but still)

Do it. I would say though that you're considering a position that doesn't seem completely available to you just yet. Take the tests and find out

25 is arguably "old" for studying a whole new field.

[jj90]

Go do the test 1st, then come back with the problem that you scored too high and now have an important choice to make.

You have not done the test and have no idea what you will score.

And no one is really ever too old to start fresh, I'm almost double your age in a career change and I have never had more demand for my skillset.

[Mr. Wolf]

Well, that's one hell of a "proposition" you received there. Yes, definitely take that test soon. Is this what the "testing center" looked like?

[Irenicus]

Don't you have other options, like IT or technical fields?

[Kona]

Take the other people's advice about taking the test first.

I bet if you gewt a high grade there's a ton of things you can do.

Also, consider what happens if you get a low grade. Are you committing to seven years of peeling potatoes?

If you are training to be in any type of elite military unit, I would imagine a security clearance is needed. Here in the USA your financial situation has a lot to do with gutting that. Don't rack up any debt.

Secondly, your online presence is taken into account now days. In that case, I hope that Elmo Lewis isn't your real name. If so you're out.

Be careful.

Aloha!