PUTTING YOURBEST FOOT FORWARD

Chris Nixon-Giles, Rockridge 2005BSc, MD, PGY-3, AnesthesiologyUniversity of British Columbia

School Grades

Parties

Friends

Sports

Girlfriends/Boyfriends

Family

Summer jobs

Future

Money

Travel

Graduation

Career

Fitness

Moving

Health

Apartment

Car

Drugs/Alcohol

Mental health

Debt

What I want to do today!• Tell my story• Introduce the path to a career in

medicine–Myths– Truths

• Share practical life advice– Handling adversity– Being an interesting person

Meet Chris• High School– Thinking: Hi Mom! What’s on for today

after school?• Sports (hockey, basketball, rugby)• Interact Club Newsletter• Exchange to France• Expectation that I would finish high school

and go to university

Chris goes to UBC• Undergraduate 1– Thinking: Umm..I don’t know, but let’s

keep having fun.• Residence (Vanier)

– 1st year = fun– 2nd year = residence council– 3rd year = RA

• UBC REC : Sponsorship• Recreation : hockey, skiing • Travel : Southeast Asia• Work : golf course, UBC

Chris goes to UBC• Undergraduate 2– Thinking: Medicine sounds interesting, I

wonder if I can get in.• Honours thesis : Canadian Blood

Services, platelet activation• UBC REC : Sponsorship• Recreation : hockey, scuba diving• Work : BC Ministry of Forests,

initial attack fire-crew member

Chris is still at UBC• Med School– Thinking: Wow, there’s a lot here. What will

I be happy doing for 40 years?• Shadowing : ask questions• Anesthesia curriculum development• Recreation : Doc’s Hockey, soccer (street

soccer group), scuba diving• Travel : backpacking Europe, Honduras, Mexico

City, Philippines• International Work : Peru medical elective

Undergraduate

Medical School

Residency

Family Medicin

e

Specialty

Staff Physician

High School

GP

Postgrad Mature

2 just like undergrad2 in hospital, different specialties

4 years

4 years

2 years 5+ years

Anywhere, anything

MD$

Office/Hospital$$$

Typical Work Schedule6am – up7am – 6/7pm at the hospital:- Assess patients before surgery- Manage anesthetic- Help with emergencies around the hospital- See patients awaiting surgery for the next day

M F5-7x / month work overnight2 weekend days / month

MYTHS• Sure path to being super rich• Once you’re in, your career is set• Can’t get in without amazing grades• I have to go straight through

university to medical school• There is an answer for everything• Medicine is all I’ve ever wanted to do

TRUTHS• Social community• Life long learning• Interactive job• Secure and safe lifestyle• Commitment that is above the

exchange of money for services• A much bigger field than you think

How to get into medicine?1. Decent grades2. Be an interesting person3. Luck

LIFE ADVICE

How to be an interesting person

• Do things that interest YOU – Hobbies

• Reflect on them• Don`t spurn activities– Don`t burn bridges

• Travel• Volunteer

How to handle failure• Post-mortem– Get it from the horse’s mouth– reflect

• Get help– Close circle of friends/family

• Get back on the bike– Keep applying– Keep plying your interests– Never know what door might open next

If you know what you want..That is great!

What can you do?1. Pursue job opportunities.2. Apply for research and volunteer

positions.3. Job shadow.4. Promotion opportunities5. Keep trying new things

If you still aren’t sure what you want..

That is OK!What can you do?1. Get involved where you are.2. Don’t be afraid to push your comfort

zone.3. Think about what interests you and

seek out opportunities to pursue it.4. Be prepared to change your mind.5. Travel!

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