Medical Career Research Paper

I was never a child who imagined myself as an astronaut, a princess, a dancer, or a movie star. Ever since I remember, I have dreamed of becoming a doctor. That dream has not ended yet. At first, I wanted to be a veterinarian, then a diagnostician, and now, a surgeon. Although I have many years until college and postgraduate school, I know I will end up in a medical career. For now, I am focusing on a career as a neurosurgeon or orthodontist. These professions differ from duties and work environment to salary, although both careers require many years of schooling. While neurosurgeons and orthodontist are both types of doctors, the tasks and duties of each are vastly different. Firstly, neurosurgeons study and perform surgery on the brain.
More specifically, neurosurgeons examine, diagnose, and surgically treat disorders of the nervous system (Ridner and Wilson). This states that neurosurgeons not only perform surgery on the brain, but also study, diagnose, and perform surgery on the spinal cord and other nerves to treat injuries and diseases. Orthodontists, on the other hand, examine and treat patients with teeth and jaw problems. An orthodontist oversees a patient's’ treatment which could include braces, expanders, and retainers. “[orthodontists] also provide cost estimates, instruct patients on proper dental health care, and adjust appliances as the treatment progresses” (learningpath.org orthodontist career). Both careers can work in a private practice or a hospital, although neurosurgeons usually work in hospital while an orthodontist generally owns his/her private office. [conclusion] Although both professions earn a generous amount of money, the salaries of each differ greatly. In 2014, orthodontists make about 201 thousand dollars annually (Tolia and Torres). This salary is also used for employee salaries, equipment and building rent if needed. Meanwhile, neurosurgeons make an average of $540,000 a year (study.com brain surgeons) and generally do not have to pay for employees’ salaries or equipment, unless they own a private practice. Job outlooks are roughly the same -- 16 percent growth in orthodontists (Powell and Jurling) and 18 percent growth in neurosurgeons (Ridner and Wilson). There are The schooling for both neurosurgeons and orthodontists are, on average, 10-11 years of undergraduate school, postgraduate school and training. Neurosurgeons are required to complete four years of undergraduate school as well as four years in medical school. Afterwards, neurosurgeons take 6 to 7 years of neurosurgical residency training (Ridner and Wilson). The first year, also known as the postgraduate year one, students learn about clinical neurology and basic care. The next six years consist of at least 42 months of training of clinical neurosurgery. An undergraduate school degree is also required to become an orthodontist, as well as dentistry school and and residential practice. Finishing a specialty program in orthodontics is the final stage of education (Tolia and Torres). After researching and analyzing two career choices -- neurosurgeon and orthodontist -- I have seen differences and comparisons in the salaries, job descriptions, education requirements, and job qualities. My final decision, between these careers, is a neurosurgeon. This job seems to fit my personality and work ethic better than an orthodontist. Although I have many years until college and the ‘final decision’, for now my goal career is to become a neurosurgeon.