Putting Your Best Foot Forward
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Transcript of Putting Your Best Foot Forward
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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