How To Carve Out A Career As A Surgeon

There has been much discussion recently about how artificial intelligence could be gunning for our jobs. In particular, designers, developers, and those in creative roles appear to be the most concerned about being replaced by AI. But one job that categorically cannot be performed by ChatGPT is that of a surgeon. While AI could certainly assist the medical industry in terms of processing and predicting data, we’re a long way from procedures being carried out by robots. 

If the arrival of AI has got you thinking about pursuing a career as a surgeon, you’ve come to the right place. This article will walk you through the necessary steps that you’ll need to take to become a qualified surgeon.

High School Studies

Studying to become a surgeon begins as early as high school. While you can’t expect to learn the ins and outs of surgery at such a young age, you can begin to explore subjects that are relevant to the industry. This is where you can start to supplement your learning with spending time more wisely outside of school.

Consider if there are any volunteering opportunities in your local area that would help give you a better understanding of the medical industry as a whole. You could also begin to blog about relevant medical topics to broaden your knowledge of all things medical.

Finally, consider what personal traits you’ll need to be a successful surgeon. This includes communication skills, empathy and the ability to stay calm under pressure amongst other traits.

Read: Custom Laser Engraving: A Niche Market With Big Potential

Degree

If you leave school with your heart set on being a surgeon, you’ll need to progress to studying surgery at degree level. You should try and supplement this with work experience, as you’ll be at an age where you’ll be able to shadow senior surgeons at work.

Again, this isn’t just worthwhile in terms of expanding your knowledge; it should also help you decide whether or not surgery is actually right for you.

Medical school

If you have completed a degree in medical studies or a similar discipline, and you still want to become a surgeon, it’s time to head off to medical school. This is where the real hardwork starts, and it’s where you’ll need to start thinking about what type of surgery you want to specialise in. You’ll be expected to combine your academic studies with practical training, with the aim of providing you with everything you need to become a successful surgeon.  

Get licensed

Medical school will give provide you with a great insight into life as a surgeon, but there’s still a long way to go. Students don’t leave medical school as a qualified surgeon, and there will still be plenty of exams to sit, as well as practical experience to gain.

The exams you need to take will depend on what country you are based in. In the UK, you’ll first need to qualify as a doctor before becoming a surgeon. In the US, aspiring surgeons must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination as well as the General Surgery Qualifying and Certifying Exams.

First job

At this point, you’ll be ready to leave your studies behind and embark on your career as a surgeon. In the UK, most surgeons’ first job is as a junior doctor, where they’ll gain hands-on experience in real-life surgeries. 

You will be rewarded in terms of salary for the many years you’ll have spent studying by this point. In the UK, a starting salary for a fully qualified doctor will be around £35,000, while the average salary for a qualified surgeon is over £90,000 — way above the average UK salary.

In the US, it’s an even more lucrative career path. Entry-level surgeons earn over $250,000 while senior surgeons can earn as much as $600,000.

From here, you’ll progress through the ranks which will see your in put grow greater and greater. Eventually, you may reach the point where you are leading surgeries or leading others.

Develop

Don’t think the hard work stops once you qualify and start working as a surgeon. You’ll find that you naturally develop as a result of being put into challenging situations, but you will also need to push yourself to stay on top of the latest trends and legislation. As mentioned above, your development may lead to you leading teaching, training, and leading others.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you are clued up now about what it takes to become a surgeon. And you should also have an idea of whether a career as a surgeon is right for you. It’s important to consider the mental aspects and the emotional impact that comes with a career in surgery. If you think you’ve got what it takes, and you’re prepared to put in the necessary work, you could quite easily find yourself carrying out brain surgery in Tokyo or a breast augmentation in Manchester.