Prep for a career in medicine
DOCTORS must be willing to sacrifice time to focus on pursuing lifelong learning and job satisfaction rather than just trying to make a fortune from the profession.
This is the message that MAHSA University Faculty of Medicine dean Prof Datuk Dr Ravindran Jegasothy ( pic) will be sending at the Education and Career Talks segment of Star Education Fair 2018.
In his talk “What Does It Take To Be A Doctor?”, Prof Ravindran will focus on what students should expect when they enter the medical field, as well as help students make informed decisions concerning medicine as a career.
With more than 35 years experience in the field, he said the aim of the talk is to help students be aware of the realities of a career in medicine.
“Students should know what it is like to be at the front line when managing patients. Those pursuing medicine need to go into it with their eyes wide open. No one should think that medicine was about making a fortune.
“Being a doctor is a life-long commitment, with never-ending learning,” he said, noting that what was studied in university may not be applicable in a few years due to ongoing developments.
Enthusiasm for the job is a must or else students risk being disillusioned because their peers who graduated earlier in other degrees may have landed jobs with better wages, he added.
Prof Ravindran will also touch on career prospects and debunk myths about the medical industry in his talk from 3.15pm to 3.45pm on Aug 4.
“There are between 30 to 40 specialities for medical graduates to choose from,” he said and pointed out that some medical graduates choose not to remain a doctor.
“But not meeting patients doesn’t make the job any less important,” he noted.
The doctor, a former Kuala Lumpur Hospital Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, will also touch on the “nitty gritty” of enrolling into a medical institution as well as highlight factors for evaluating a medical institution.
He said students need to ask the “right questions” when researching medical schools.
“There are good human values, certain characteristics and requirements students need to possess to become a doctor.
“They must also consider the reputation, recognition, quality of facilities and teachers, cost, as well as the number of graduates who successfully completed housemanship of their chosen institution,” he said, adding that one should not make a decision based on their friends’ choice or its location.
A talk on “Study Medicine In Hungary: World Class Medical School In Europe” will be conducted from 4pm to 4.30pm by University of Debrecen’s Dr Atchara Srisodsai.
Other talks on various topics such as Computer Science, Economics and more will also be held at the fair on both days.
Students visiting the fair will be able to take an interest-based career test carried out by Berjaya University College, as well as meet experts on pre-university education from over 50 local and international colleges and universities.
These experts consisting of qualified counsellors and academic staff will be able to brief students and parents on a wide range of certificate, foundation, diploma and postgraduate courses as well as on professional qualifications.
SPM and STPM school-leavers can also look forward to attractive discounts and scholarships that are offered on the spot at the fair.
The biggest exhibitors will be Limkokwing University of Creative Technology with 16 booths, followed by MAHSA University with 10 booths.
The Star Education Fair will be held at Exhibition Halls 4 and 5 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 11am to 7pm on Aug 4 and 5. Admission is free.
Booths are available for interested exhibitors. For details, call 03-7967 1388 (ext 1233/1475).