Thread by @majornirmal

I see many MBBS students and young doctors in Twitter. I thought I will post some thoughts of mine about career choices here which may help a few people.
#MedTwitter #NEETPG #PLAB #USMLE

When I was in college from 2008-14, there was no provision of high speed internet till final year and internship. So there were no YouTube videos to help and guide me regarding career choices.

(1/n)

I was totally confused about what to do next and was not keen to take up busy specialities. I decided to do PG in PSM or Psychiatry and went for PG coaching in Kerala after a brief period of working.
(2/n)

That time I found this opportunity to join Army Medical Corps and got excited about living the life differently. So I ditched the PG plan and joined army thinking I will do specialisation while doing army service.
(3/n)

While in service I enjoyed my field tenure where I totally enjoyed my work, however when I was posted to a proper hospital I found myself not enjoying what I was doing. I started looking for more options again.
(4/n)

I was married by then and my wife was working in a multi specialty hospital in Dehradun. For a while we thought I will come out of service and do PG together in India after clearing NEET as I had Ex Serviceman quota as well.
(5/n)

COVID lockdown helped me to connect to many of my batchmates who were specialists and super specialists. I could see that they were not settled in their work though they spent six years working at their career.
(6/n)

So me and my wife started looking in to PLAB as a viable option. We planned it in such a way that I will take the exams first and she will attempt it one step behind me so that we can plan the journey systematically.
(7/n)

As of now I am happy at where I am in career was I wasn’t super ambitious and all I want to do is to get trained in Psychiatry, Public Health or General Practise. I spent a good amount of time in Army and that experience has enriched my life as well.
(8/n)

But to anyone who is very ambitious to pursue the busy specialities, I would advise to do PG as soon as possible if they have no plans o leave India. When you are young it’s easier to get it done with residency which demands a lot from you.
(9/n)

As you keep delaying residency, it will start to affect other aspects of your life as well. For example it will be very difficult to have a quality time with family if you are married and have kids when you are doing your residency.
(10/n)

When you are still free and devoid of commitments, get your residency done so that you can plan the next phase of your life without much complications. Once you are married the whole dynamics of your life will change and you will need to think twice before making choices.
(11/n)

If you are clear that you have to pursue a career outside the country, do that also when you are devoid of any commitments so that you can settle down well in time and plan your life. It seems like it will take 1-2 years to settle down I the UK while working for NHS.
(12/n)

If you decide to join any government service be sure of this; you will have to adjust to the already established system and do exactly as the system demands. You may not find job satisfaction there but the stability that the government job gives is still desirable.
(13/n)

Use internet; watch YouTube videos or read write-ups made by people about the career choice they made and make wise decisions. The choices you make in mid twenties will play a big role in deciding your next 20 which are the peak years of your work.
(14/n)

I am sharing my experience as I was a clueless person in my mid twenties and there was no one to guide me at that time. However I want to share my struggles ans experience so that I can help someone else make better life choices.
(15/n)

Moving to a different country for work in early thirties is indeed tough and could have been better if I tried earlier. But I am content, enjoying the process and is looking forward to reach out to people who are doing the same while making the journey enjoyable.
(16/16)

Thanks @prachiiiiiik @numb_yarrdoc @abdus1801 & @DrJanviL for being part of this journey as Twitter family.

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