If you enjoy learning about interesting jobs, find this article and more like it on Your Hot Job, TFK's career-focused website for kids. What does your future hold?
You probably see a pediatrician at least once a year. Pediatricians do regular checkups and treat kids for things like colds and rashes. They give shots and teach healthy habits. They even do weird things such as pull bugs and Legos out of toddlers’ ears. What does it take to be a pediatrician? TIME for Kids spoke to two experts to find out.MASKOT/GETTY IMAGES
Jaclyn Dovico used to be a banker. But she decided the job wasn’t right for her. So she went back to school to become a pediatrician. She has been one for more than five years now.COURTESY JACLYN DOVICO
She says people who want to become pediatricians should love being around kids and families. Pediatricians take care of kids from just after birth until adulthood. “I get to be part of all of the families that I treat,” Dr. Dovico says. “I experience all the joy and milestones , and sometimes heartaches too. But that’s what makes it so rewarding.”
Dr. Johanna Rodriguez-Toledo knew she wanted to be a pediatrician since she was 12. She grew up in Puerto Rico, and was the first person in her family to graduate college. She now lives and works in Southern California.COURTESY JOHANNA RODRIGUEZ-TOLEDO
Want to be a pediatrician? Be prepared to work hard, Dr. Rodriguez-Toledo says. Pediatricians often spend at least 11 years in school before they can practice . “You have to read a lot and put in a lot of hours,” she says. “But even though it’s hard work, it’s worth it to make a difference.”
Where to Start
There are things that future doctors can do now to prepare for the job. Spend time with kids. Take science classes at school. Practice good study skills. Learning to speak a second language is helpful too. Doctors who know more than one language can connect with people who don’t know English well. Dr. Rodriguez-Toledo notes that speaking Spanish has helped her treat families from countries such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina.
Ikiwa unafurahia kujifunza juu ya kazi za kuvutia, tafuta makala hii na zaidi kama hiyo kwenye Kazi Yako ya Moto, tovuti ya TFK ya kazi-iliyozingatia watoto. Wakati wako ujao utakuwaje? Inawezekana kwamba unaenda kwa daktari wa watoto angalau mara moja kwa mwaka. Madaktari wa watoto hufanya uchunguzi wa kawaida na kuwatibu watoto kwa mambo kama vile homa na mlipuko. Wao hutoa chanjo na kufundisha mazoea yenye afya. Hata hufanya mambo ya ajabu kama vile kuvuta wadudu na Legos nje ya masikio ya watoto wachanga. Ni nini kinachohitajika ili kuwa daktari wa watoto? "Wanafunzi wa shule ya sekondari walihojiwa na ""Maskot"" na ""Getty Images"" na Jacqueline Dovico, mwanahisa wa zamani wa benki." Lakini aliamua kwamba kazi hiyo haikuwa sahihi kwake. Kwa hiyo alirudi shuleni ili awe daktari wa watoto. "Mwanamke huyo, ambaye amekuwa daktari wa watoto kwa zaidi ya miaka mitano, alisema: ""Watu wanaotaka kuwa madaktari wa watoto wanapaswa kupenda kuwa karibu na watoto na familia." Madaktari wa watoto huwatunza watoto kuanzia baada tu ya kuzaliwa hadi wanapokuwa watu wazima. "Ninaweza kuwa sehemu ya familia zote ninazotunza", Dakt. Dovico anasema. <unk>Ninafurahia mambo yote mazuri, na nyakati nyingine ninateseka pia. "Hata hivyo, kwa sababu ya uzoefu wake wa kuvutia, Dr. J.J. Rodriguez-Toledo alijua kwamba alitaka kuwa daktari wa watoto tangu alipokuwa na umri wa miaka 12. """ Alilelewa huko Puerto Rico, na alikuwa mtu wa kwanza katika familia yake kuhitimu chuo kikuu. Sasa anaishi na kufanya kazi katika Kusini mwa California. JOHANNA RODRIGUEZ-TOLEDO Unataka kuwa daktari wa watoto? "Kuwa tayari kufanya kazi kwa bidii, ""Dr. Rodriguez-Toledo anasema." Wataalamu wa watoto mara nyingi hutumia angalau miaka 11 shuleni kabla ya kuweza kufanya kazi. "Lazima usome sana na kutumia saa nyingi", asema. "Lakini hata ingawa ni kazi ngumu, ni thamani ya kufanya tofauti. ""Kuna mambo ambayo madaktari wa baadaye wanaweza kufanya sasa ili kujitayarisha kwa kazi hiyo." Tumia wakati pamoja na watoto. Chukua madarasa ya sayansi shuleni. Fanya mazoezi ya ustadi wa kujifunza. Kujifunza kuzungumza lugha ya pili ni jambo lenye kusaidia pia. Madaktari wanaojulikana na lugha zaidi ya moja wanaweza kuwasiliana na watu ambao hawajui Kiingereza vizuri. Rodriguez-Toledo anasema kwamba kuzungumza Kihispania kumemsaidia kutibu familia kutoka nchi kama vile Mexico, Jamhuri ya Dominika, na Argentina.