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Medicine and Law
Careers
Everyone knows what doctors and lawyers do, but do you really know what it takes to get there or the
many specialties and related fields those professions include? Well, you've come to the right place to
find out. Here are just a few ideas:- Acupuncturist
- Anesthesiologist
- Cardiologist
- Dietitian
- ER Doctor
- Forensics Specialist
- Nurse
- Patent Lawyer
- Veterinarian
Acupuncturist
What's Acupuncture?
Acupuncture: it's old medicine. Devised before 2500 BC in China, it's used to relieve pain, cure disease, and improve general health. How does it work? No one precisely knows, but an acupuncturist inserts one or more small metal needles into the skin and underlying tissues at precise points on the body. In China, an acupuncturist's training is intense, like medical school is here. But in the West, there is debate about whether acupuncture really works. Whether or not it does, thousands of people use acupuncture.
Acupuncturists can expect to earn $30 - $50,000 per year. Many are self-employed, so their earnings vary with how they run their businesses.
Things to Do
- Find out what alternative medicine is all about. For a good book on the subject, try your local library or bookstore for a copy of Alternative Medicine by Howard Facklam.
- Some people use acupuncture to relieve stress. Do you feel stressed out? Take a stress quiz.
- Learn a bit about ancient China.
- See if you can volunteer at a local alternative medicine clinic.
- Visit The Chinese Medicine Sampler to get some more information.
Who Does Acupuncture?
Read about Jon Simon who practices acupuncture in New York City.
Clariel Hass, who works together with doctors of Western medicine to help people feel better.
Classes to Take
In addition to the courses you take now, consider these kinds of classes in high school:- Pre-calculus, calculus
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Chinese History
- Maybe even the Chinese language if your school offers it!
Think Acupuncturist might be a job for you?
- Are you creative?
- Do you like science?
- Do you like to solve puzzles?
- Enjoy math and have good math skills?
- Are you interested in Asian culture?
- Enjoy learning about health?
If you answered yes to these questions, you have many of the skills to be successful as an acupuncturist!
Anesthesiologist
What is an Anesthesiologist?
An anesthesiologist specializes in pain relief and patient care before, during, and after surgery. As an anesthesiologist, you make sure a patient gets through surgery safely and comfortably. That means making sure the patient stays asleep throughout the operation and gets enough oxygen. Anesthesiologists watch breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and after surgery, attend to any pain.
Anesthesiologists are amongst the highest paid doctors, often earning more than $200,000 per year. But they have a lot of responsibility.
Things to Do
- Anesthesiologists need to know anatomy. How well do you know yours? Play Body Parts and find out.
- Often an anesthesiologist is called in because a person is sick with an infection. Play Infection, the game where you get to be a germ.
- Anesthesia works on the central nervous system. Use the figures at Science Interactive Body to see what parts of the nervous system connect to what parts of your body.
Who works in Anesthesiology?
Meet anesthesiologist Joseph Antognini.
Classes to Take
If you think a career in Anesthesiology sounds like it might be for you, think about taking these classes in high school:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- General Computer Applications
- Physics
- Writing
- Public speaking, if your school offers it.
Do you think Anesthesiology might be right for you?
- Do you enjoying doing something for long periods of time?
- Do you think well on your feet?
- Do you like helping people?
- Do you enjoying learning? An anesthesiologist must be in school 3 years longer than other medical students.
If you answered yes, then a career in Anesthesiology might be right for you.
Cardiologist
What’s a Cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a special doctor who uses his or her knowledge of the heart, arteries, and veins to diagnose problems that involving the heart. Cardiologists use surgery to implant pacemakers, rework the “plumbing” (arteries and blood vessels). to the heart, and prevent heart attacks.
Cardiologists typically make between $110,000-$225,000 a year!
Things to Do
- Visit the The Cardiology Channel to and look up the different heart conditions and treatments. You might find it really interesting!
- Attend a bypass operation with The Beat Goes On
- Or be a virtual surgeon. (Note: You’ll need Shockwave before you can operate.)
- Take a trip to the Virtual Cardiology Lab at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute where you get to be the cardiologist. [Note: You’ll need Shockwave and Flash to run this virtual demonstration.]
- Take a First Aid Class, and get CPR certified.
- Watch the different Red Cross videos; they teach a lot about heart conditions
Books to Read
The Heart Owner’s Handbook by Texas Heart Institute,Denton A. Cooley. 1996. ISBN: 047105982XOur Bodies: The Heart, Lungs, and Blood by Steve Parker. 2004. ISBN: 0739866214.
People
- Meet Vivien Thomas, an African American determined to make something of himself during the time of segregation, and his relationship with Alfred Blalock, a surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Thomas, initially hired as a janitor, was soon promoted by Blalock to learn the complexities of surgery, eventually becoming a trainer of novice surgeons and a major force in the advancement of African Americans in medicine.
- Did you know that women experience heart troubles as often as men? Read about Dr. Paula Johson who specializes in cardiac care for women.
- Dr. Barry Smith became a cardiologist because in 7th grade he saw a movie about the circulatory system that made a lasting impression. Find out more about his career.
Classes to Take
In addition to the classes you take now, think about taking these courses in high school:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- As many classes about health as you can
After high school and college, medical school will be essential.
What Are You Like?
- Are you interested in the how the human body works?
- Would you like to be able to help people with strokes and heart attacks?
Yes? Then how about being a Cardiologist when you grow up?
Dietitian
What is a Dietitian?
How would you like to tell people what to eat? You can if you're a Dietician or Nutritionist. People with these jobs promote health and good eating habits through education, research, and community programs. Closely related is the career of Food Scientist. People with this job study the physical, microbiological and chemical properties of food. They also specialize in selecting, preserving, packaging, and distributing safe and nutritious foods.
Salary depends on the area of food science you choose. For example, a starting dietitian can earn between $20,000 to 50,000 a year; a cereal chemist may earn over $50,000.
Things to Do
- Take a nutrition quiz.
- Watch a movie about how food goes from an idea in someone's head to a package at the grocery store. QuickTime users click here; Real Media users click here.
- Design a cereal box. (You'll need flash to do this one.)
- Healthy food doesn't have to be gross. Try some of these cool treats
- Find out how soft drinks affect your body.
- Feed a pig.
Who Works in Nutrition and Food Science?
Here's Kevin Swallow, a food carbohydrate chemist in Alberta, Canada. He's frequently required to taste his creations. Read how he handles it.
Michelle Robinson works for the US Army to help develop Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), portable packaged-foods that soldiers can eat.
Donald Freeman likes fish and he thinks you should too. Read about what he's up to as leader of ARS Aquaculture Systems Research Unit in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Classes to Take
Think Food Science might be for you? Get prepared. In addition to the classes you take now, think about taking these in high school:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- General Computer Applications
- Math
- Culinary Arts or Foods
Think one of these jobs might be for you?
- Do you like cooking and eating?
- Are you interested in exercise and good health?
- Do you enjoy finding out how things are put together?
If you answered yes, a career in food science may be for you.
ER Doctor
What's an Emergency Room Doctor?
Do you like to watch emergency room dramas or listen to unusual emergency room stories? Ever wonder what goes on in hospital emergency rooms? As an emergency room doctor, you'll have ample chance to find out. One thing about emergency medicine is the huge range. No other medical specialist sees the variety of conditions that an emergency room physician sees in a typical week: from food poisoning to car wrecks, an emergency department is often the first place a sick person goes.
Emergency Room Doctors generally earn between $176,000 - $229,000.
Things to Do
- Want to see what it was like to practice medicine at the turn of the century (1900)? Back then, doctors didn't have all the equipment they do today and could provide little more than kind words. To give it a try, visit Doctor Over Time . Select 1900 as your year, then try choosing 1998 to compare advances in technology. What differences do you notice? PS For the most fun, make sure you have Shockwave.
- Read about a camp where kids get to visit hospitals, talk to medical students and learn about health related professions.
- See how things work at an emergency room in an Ohio hospital.
Who is an Emergency Room Doctor?
Meet the Emergency Medical Staff at Oschner Health Clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana. Over 12 doctors practice emergency medicine there.
Read about the experiences of emergency medicine doctors-to-be in this account of pre-medical students who worked alongside doctors in emergency rooms.
Classes to Take
In addition to the courses you take now, consider these kinds of classes in high school:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Pre-calculus
- Advanced Algebra
- Statistics, if your school offers it
Think Emergency Room Doctor might be a job for you?
- Do you think well on your feet?
- Like constant change?
- Enjoy working with people?
If you answered yes to these questions, you have many of the skills to be a successful emergency room doctor!
Forensics Specialist
What's Forensics?
Forensic science is actually a bunch of things: science, engineering, even anthropology. But basically, it's the practice of applying scientific knowledge to legal problems. Forensic specialists may be scientists, lawyers, even anthropologists. There's even a group called American Academy of Forensic Sciences where you can find out about the specialties within the field.
The salary for this job varies; for example, a forensics lawyer may earn more than a forensics scientist. But an experienced forensics scientist can expect to earn between $40,000 - $85,000.
Things to Do
- Learn about some of the techniques an investigator uses. Then try a few of those techniques yourself.
- Try solving a mystery.
- Read! Try reading a mystery and see whether you can solve it. Click here for a list of some favorites of the kids in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
Who Does Forensics?
Want to meet a forensic lawyer? Read about Carol Stewart. She started her career as a chemist.
Tania David is a forensic scientist in Wales.
Classes to Take
In addition to the classes you take now, think about taking these when you get to high school:
- Pre-calculus, calculus
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Social studies courses like law and society and psychology
- History
Think Forensics might be a job for you?
- Are you creative?
- Do you like science?
- Do you like to solve puzzles?
- Are you interested in computers?
- Enjoy math and have good math skills?
If you answered yes to these questions, you have many of the skills to be successful as a forensic specialist!
Nurse
- Career description
- More Career description
- Things to do
- More Things to do
- People
- Classes to take
- What are you like
- More Career description
What is a Nurse?
A career for women and men!
As a Registered Nurse (RN) you promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. RNs are often health educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing care, nurses watch patients and keep careful records. RNs assist doctors during surgeries, treatments, and examinations and give patients their medications.
There are a lot of ways a nurse can specialize: surgery, emergency room or working with people in a particular age group; for example, older people or infants.
Where do Nurses work?
As a registered nurse you might work in a clinic, a doctors' office, a hospital, or see patients in their
homes. You might work for a company, in schools or in the military. You can be a nurse almost
anywhere.
Registered nurses often earn between $40,000 and $57,000. Earnings for a new nurse, right out of nursing school are about $30,000.
Things to Do
- Find out why feet stink.
- What did you eat at lunch? Something that might send you to your school nurse? Play Bacteria in the Cafeteria to find out what bacteria are harmful, harmless or even beneficial.
- When you're sick, the number of red blood cells in your body may temporarily go down as you fight off infection. Play Toxin Bugs.
Things to Do
Take a first aid course at your school, community center or local branch of the American Red Cross.
Get some experience at your local hospital. Many hospitals and clinics have programs for volunteer workers. Find out what the hospital in your community offers and get involved!
Who is a Nurse?
Five Hispanic nurses who just happen to be guys talk about the challenges they face, the strengths they bring to their careers, and why the nursing profession needs people like them.
Meet Staff Nurse, Iracema Crawford and Nurse Practitioner, Kevin Harm.
Classes to Take
If you think a career in nursing sounds like it might be for you, think about taking these classes in high school:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Health and wellness classes
- Foreign languages
- Psychology (if it's offered at your school)
What Are You Like?
- Are you a good listener?
- Do you enjoy taking care of and helping people?
- Do you have maturity, compassion and sensitivity?
- Are you able to inspire confidence and trust?
- Can you remain calm under pressure?
- Are you adaptable and flexible?
If you answered yes, then a career as a nurse might be right for you.
Patent Lawyer
What do Patent Lawyers Do?
"Intellectual Property" careers.Did you know that someone can own an idea, just the way your people own a house? This kind of ownership is called "intellectual" property. Patents, trade secrets, trademarks and copyrights are forms of intellectual property. People who work in these areas look at how ideas get used or abused. For example:
What do Patent Lawyers Do?
Patent Examiners work at the government office to evaluate new patent applications. They see new ideas, discoveries and inventions being made worldwide before anyone else. The salary range is $33,000 to $62,000, and higher for advanced degree holders.
Patent Attorneys and Patent Agents are involved in both science and law. They educate judges, juries, scientists, businesspeople and investors on the science and values of intellectual property. Salaries are typically $95,000 to $144,000 or more.
Things to Do
- Check out the Wacky Patent of the Month .
- Patent attorneys must be able to write well. The best way to get good at something is to do a lot of it. Look here for cool ideas for enjoying writing and write, write, write!
Who Works in Intellectual Property?
Meet Reinhilde Schoonjans, a Belgian woman who worked in cancer immunotherapy and changed to a career in patent law.
Meet Jason Mackenzie, in Australia, who began work in biology and is now a patent examiner.
Michael McGurk was a chemical engineer who now works as a patent attorney.
Classes to Take
If you think a career in intellectual property law sounds like it might be for you, think about taking these classes in high school:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Writing
- Public speaking, if your school offers it.
Think a Intellectual Property Career might be right for you?
- Do you think Intellectual Property Law might be right for you?
- Do you love new discoveries, but are not interested in doing research?
- Do you like biology, chemistry or technology?
Then a career in intellectual property might be right for you.
Veterinarian
What's a Veterinarian?
Veterinarians are animal doctors. Some work with large farm animals, some with zoo animals, some with household pets. Other veterinarians specialize in reptiles or raptors, like a hawk. Veterinary technicians assist in lab work, radiology and surgery. They also help fill prescriptions. Vet techs often handle daily animal care, patient reception and client education, not just at your local vet's but also at feed companies, zoos, animal shelters, and some government facilities.
Average salaries for vets are between $49,000 - $50,000.
Things to Do
- Check out Dr. Larry Cohen's page: So You Say You Want to Become a Veterinarian.
- Volunteer at an animal shelter.
- Read about the ways you can help animals
- Take an animated trip with the American Veterinary Association.
Play some games:
- Write your own cat adventure.
- Stop Dr. Plutonium from torturing cats in The Great Cat Rescue.
- Play I Like Cats.
Check out these books:
- Want to Be...a Veterinarian, By Catherine O'Neill Grace, Harcourt Brace and Company, 1997, ISBN: 0-15-201965-0
- Careers with Animals: The Humane Society of the United States, By Willow Ann Sirch, Fulcrum Publishing, 2000, ISBN: 1-55-591408-X
People
Look at a day in the life of Coretta Patterson, a veterinarian in Athens, Georgia
Here's an interview with a veterinary technician.
Maybe you want to work with big animals. Read here about the kinds of jobs you could do at a zoo.
Classes to Take
Think Veterinary Science might be for you? Get prepared. In addition to the classes you take now, think about taking these in high school:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Math
- Physics
- Writing
Think a Veterinary Career might be right for you?
- Do you love animals?
- Do you like biology and chemistry?
- Do you have pets and take good care of them?
If you answered yes, then a career in veterinary sciences could be for you.
Updated: December 5, 2008