When you are younger, there can seem like endless possible avenues for which you can head in your life. So many, in fact, that it can be quite daunting and confuse you as to which direction to go in. It is important you consider all options, even those that seem unlikely at first glance. Professions that are usually steady are often in the healthcare industry, but that itself has many different options you can choose from. Here are a few reasons why you should consider becoming an obstetrician.
What Does An Obstetrician Do?
An obstetrician is a doctor that specialises in the care and treatment of babies, both pre- and post-natal. That means you will have regular meetings with pregnant women to examine them, work through challenges and see them through until they have delivered. This is a very rewarding career, especially for people who love children. Seeing a child being born healthily after you prevented a serious health or medical condition before they were even born is an incredible feeling and gets very addicting for those in the profession. Obstetricians also help with all the other aspects of a pregnancy, including the health of the mother and easing her through this time period.
How Much Does An Obstetrician Earn?
Of course, career stability is an important factor when choosing what area to go in, and the financial aspect is not to be underestimated. On average, obstetricians can earn anywhere from $50,000 for beginners to a much higher $260-446,000 for professionals who have been working for a long time. This is also before you factor in creating your own business as many obstetricians do. Having your own practice can generate millions in revenue, and for those with the skills as sought after as an obstetrician, it is relatively simple to progress down this route.
What Qualifications Do I Need?
To become an obstetrician, you need to become a fully qualified doctor, which means at least a 4-year course. Including your internship and residency, you can see this extending to 5-6 years quite easily. After that, you need to further specialise in obstetrics, which is another 5-6 years. While that may seem like a big commitment up front, the truth is you can change your path during your degree and pursue a different field if your desires change. Obstetricians also earn, on average, hundreds of thousands of dollars and are practically guaranteed a job anywhere they want. So yes, the path is undeniably long, but to those who love pregnancies and want to dedicate their career to ensuring the health of babies, this can fly by.
