My name is Jules Julenane, and I am a freshman at New York City College of Technology (City Tech). I am currently reflecting on my major, and I am considering to choose a precise profession. My major is Biomedical Informatics also called Health Informatics, According to the City Tech College Catalog 2014-2015 “Biomedical Informatics baccalaureate program is designed to provide well-rounded, interdisciplinary training for a new generation of biomedical and health care workers prepared to meet the challenges of today and of the future. The dual of the program is to prepare student for a range of career options and to adapt to changing conditions in the field.” (City Tech 1)  It will allow me to enter into medical school, where I will be able to pursue a career path in pediatrics. This is the best career for me because I have a love for children. I believe, I want make a difference in infants’ lives. I care about the health and safety of defenseless children. In this essay, I will develop the reasons for which I chose this major and this métier, I will explain what the educational requirements are, and I explicate what the job description for this field is exactly.

The work of pediatricians focus on the physical, and emotional of infants, adolescents, and young adults from their day of birth until they reach their twenty one years of age. The responsibility of a pediatrician, toward his patients is to prevent, and manage their physical health, in addition of detecting any social problem that can affect children. Pediatricians operate to reduce every type of disease that might increase infant and child mortality. They manage serious illnesses that are threating children’ existence, they as well ease the day to day difficulties of those who are subject of chronic malady. A large portion of pediatrician’s duty is to identify child’s behavioral problems that may derive from exposure to psychosocial pressure, by an early and constant evaluation and intervention. They treat sickness such as strep throat, pink eye, and chicken pox. The type of pediatrician job requires a certain level of patience, love and understanding because this career include to deal with children as well as their parents, which can be stressful. Therefore, a pediatrician must enjoys working with children. It is fundamental for this livelihood to appreciate helping those who cannot be an aid to themselves. The Bureau of Labor Statistic states “Employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 18 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. Job growth will occur because of the continued expansion of healthcare-related industries. The growing and aging population is expected to drive overall growth in the demand for physician services as consumers continue to seek high levels of care that uses the latest technologies, diagnostic tests, and therapies. Some medical schools are increasing their enrollments on the basis of a perceived higher demand for physicians.” (BLS)

In order to more thoroughly apprehend my resolution to enter into medical school and to chase a pediatrician career, I now going to explicate and demonstrate by procuring evidences, the reason why I chose those options.  The first reason why I chose to be a pediatrician is due to the fact that I love children, I like being around them. In my point of view, it should be one of the first motivation that should incite students to pick pediatrics. From what I have learned about this field, children require a lot of attention, love, and patience. They respond better to the people that they feel really do care about them. Therefore, any prospective physician must have a passion for the care of children of all age. It will rather be difficult and even impossible for somebody to be successful in a profession that does not aspire them any ardor. Hays says ” When a doctor works with a patient, especially a child, he or she is actually treating the whole family. The child has the disease but it is the parents who deal with the anxiety of the illness and the difficult decision to be made about their child. It is they with whom the doctor has to communicate the most. However I have always had the conviction that the child’s health and safety come first. That is always my primary responsibility.” (Hays, Natasha T. par 3)  The last couple of years that precede my entrance in college, I have always interrogate myself about what I really want. Medical school is obviously a tremendous amount of years, of hard work. I certainly do not want to be the type of student who get all the way in medical school and afterward find out that they do not really want to be there. I chose this path because I think that those creatures need to be protected, I want to be the type of doctor who have to ability to heal them in case of illness. Pediatrician is one rare profession that I can picture myself being able to perfectly adapt to it, take care of children as a profession occurs to me as a right choice. Professor Astrof affirms “Ultimately, the desire to become a physician should be motivated by a desire to help and serve. Being a physician is a tremendous responsibility, and a sense of compassion towards others is absolutely required to be successful.” (Astrof par. 4)

The second reason why I chose to be a pediatrician is because I deeply believe that Pediatrician can make a difference in infants’ lives.  For this project, I dug very deeply into researches, so that I could understand what my career choice is really about, what will be expected from me and what it entails. One of the things that struck me, is the fact that the people engage in a pediatric career are not only saving lives, but also they are changing beings. Diverse association have been built in the purpose of helping children to get a happier and a healthier lifestyle. My aspiration to be in pediatrics is enhanced, I definitely want to be a part of this. To support my point of view,” The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to support the development and implementation of immunization information systems, previously referred to as immunization registries, and other systems for the benefit of children, pediatricians, and their communities. Pediatricians and others are aware of the value that immunization information systems have for society, the potential fiscal influences on their practice, the costs and benefits, and areas for future improvement.” (Amaya-Jackson par.5)

The third reason that pushes me toward a pediatric career is the fact that I am concerned about the safety and health of children. In my point of view, pediatrician contribute grandly in keeping children safe in many different ways. They built different organization in the purposes of constructing a safer society for children. For instance, they establish a campaign against firearms in order to prevent that guns can cause to children. Gun violence can be an issue that can profoundly affect children both mentally and physically. The exposure of children to weapons cannot do them any good, they are certainly not made to be managed by minors. The access of guns to juveniles can lead to hurt them self either unintentionally or intentionally. The duty of pediatricians also implicate to ensure the wellness of children both at the hospitals and at their homes. They advise and encourage parents to maintain a safer domicile for their infants. I chose to be a part of pediatrics because it is one of the most powerful position where I can pose in action in the favor of children’ health and safety problems. “Violence in American society has reached epidemic proportions. In 1991, homicide was the second leading cause of death among adolescents aged 15 to 24 years and the third leading cause of death among children aged 5 to 14 years. Firearm injuries accounted for the majority of the homicide deaths in both age groups: 82% of adolescent homicides and 65% of child homicides. In 1991, over 5300 children under the age of 19 died of firearm injuries; 61% of these deaths were homicides, and 28% were suicides .Pediatricians have often promoted policies intended to prevent unintentional childhood injuries. They initiated and promoted the advocacy efforts that led to many state laws requiring car seats, seat belts, and bicycle helmets and those prohibiting children from riding in the cargo area of pickup trucks. Advocating for the prevention of violent injuries is a natural extension of those efforts and of pediatric practice. Pediatricians experience how pervasive violence is in the lives of children; one out of six reported treating a child for a gun-related injury in 1988. By bearing witness to the pain, pediatricians can help to refocus efforts to contain violence, thereby contributing to the change from a criminal to a public health approach.”(Judith Cohen #1)

To reinforce my reasons and my arguments, I am going to add an additional source of testimony. I had an interview with professor Astrof from the biomedical office. He teaches Biology and biochemistry. I was confused about what I was supposed to do, since my previous advisor was not able to satisfy my curiosity about medical requirements. I chose Professor Astrof as a reliable source due to the fact that he was able to give satisfactory answers to my questions. I interrogate him about the principal requisites and courses that medical request. Professor Astrof states “There are a number of requirements for students to be admitted to medical school.  All programs are somewhat different, and students should check each specific program that they intend to apply to.  However, there are also some general requirements that students should have fulfilled if they wish to attend medical school.  These are:1 Year General Biology sequence,1 year anatomy and physiology,1 year General Chemistry,1 semester (or 2 semesters) of Organic Chemistry,1 semester Biochemistry. Recommended (but not usually required): additional advanced sciences courses including: Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology. 1 semester of Physics, Calculus, Statistics, 1-2 courses in behavioral sciences (Psychology), and Additional humanities classes (such as ethics or literature).Students must maintain a GPA of no lower than 3.0. Students must take the MCAT examination. Students must complete a medical “shadowing” experience where they spend time observing a physician in practice. There is also a requirement for letters of recommendation (typically 3), at least one from a professor in the sciences. Students also must compose a Personal Statement explaining how their life experiences contributed to their desire to attend medical school.” (Astrof par.6) Before this interview, I was really wondering about how my education at City Tech would enable me to pursue my future career, I was even thinking about transferring to another college. However, due to my researches from the college catalog, diverse articles and the answers of Professor Astrof,  I realized that my tuition at City Tech represent an import depart for my future career. I recently heard about a club for pre-medical students that provides a supplementary opportunity for the undergraduates who plan on a career in medicine.

In conclusion, the students who have an interest in the same major or profession than me, should try to plan early in order to take advantage of the opportunities that are provided to them, and also to be prepared to face the requirements for medical school. It is important to have very good grades, consequently I recommend them to stay focus, to do whatever it takes, and to take things very seriously. A career in medicine is noticeably difficult, but I deeply think that this field absolutely worth fighting for.

Work Cited:

 New York City College of Technology (City Tech). College catalog 2014-2015. 2014. PDF. 6 Dec. 2014.

Astrof, Nathan. Email to the author. 4 Dec. 2014.TS

Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2015 Edition, Top Executives. 08 Jan. 2014. Web. 03 Dec. 2014.

Amaya-Jackson, Judith. “Understanding the behavioral and emotional consequences of child abuse.”Pediatrics 122.3 (2008): 667-6673. Academic search complete. Web. 4 Dec. 2014.

Cohen, Judith. “Reducing violent injuries: Priorities for pedestrian advocacy.” Pediatrics 94.4 (1994): 638. Academic search complete. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. Bureau Labor of Statistic. Bureau Labor of Statistic. BLS, 2014. Web. 2 Dec. 2014.

Hays, Natasha T. “Toss of the Dice : Stories from a Pediatrician’s Practice”. London ; Philadelphia : J. Kingsley Publishers, 2005. Print.