My dream job by Jules Henri: plastic surgeon

A doctor:

• studies the human body, human ailments and malfunctions;
• tries to improve the health of his patients through prevention and treatment;
• attempts to relieve people of pain and suffering;
• contributes to the advancement of medicine and therapy by making use of new technologies (like the NMR), pills, surgery, etc.

To succeed in my medical studies and in my career I need to:

• be concerned about others’ well-being;
• be well-organized;
• have a sense of responsibilities;
• get on well with others;
• be a good team member;
• be able to work alone;
• be resistance to stress.

Why is this job the job for me?

• On the whole, I like to help others;
• I’m a very determined person;
• I like to be in charge of something important, and, as a doctor, I would be in charge a human life! ;
• being part of a team means a lot to me, the fact that people help each other...;
• I am also independent-minded and have proven at school that I can finish a job without the help of someone else.

Should I specialize?

At the end of last year, a friend of my parents’ accepted me in his plastic surgery unit for two-weeks’ work experience. It was a determining factor in my choice of career. I saw patients who had been disfigured. The surgeon “rebuilt” their faces and parts of their bodies so that they could start to rebuild their self-esteem… Yes, I want to specialize, and it will definitely be in plastic surgery.

About the studies :

• A plastic surgeon needs to study for 12 years at a medical university.
• In my case, I think I am going to go to the university of Clermont-Fd, because of the quality of teaching, and of course, because I will not be far from Aurillac.
• The 1^st year is really difficult and there are strict quotas to be accepted in 2^nd year.
• At the end of the 5^th year, you have to choose work experience in different medical departments. This is two years long.
• For those who want to be generalists, the studies normally stop at the end of the 6^th year, but nowadays, there is a new reform which obliges them to follow a one year long course too.
• At the end of the 7^th year, you choose your future medical department.
• And at the end of the 12^th year (the last one!) you are now a medical doctor, and in my case, I hope I will be a plastic surgeon.