Following in parents’ footsteps

Pervin Malhotra
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Q. Both my parents are doctors (and so are my grandparents). So, it was always taken for granted that I would also follow in their footsteps. I like the idea of doing medicine because I know what is entailed. But on the other hand, I have not explored any other option. Am I doing the right thing? — Geera Nigam

A. If you grow up seeing your parents enjoy what they do, it’s natural to think about doing it yourself. Going into the same career can give you major advantages. You’ve not only grown up seeing what’s required in the job, but also what it takes to succeed in it.

Without realising it, you may have picked up a whole lot of ‘inside’ tips by just listening to your parents talk about their work at the dinner table. Being able to bounce off ideas also makes a big difference. You also have a readymade professional and client network that can ease your entry into the field.

Besides pursuing a full-fledged career in medicine, there are some other related avenues such as hospital management, public health and a medico-legal practice that you can branch into.

The only flipside I can possibly think of is being “pressured” to measure up if your parents are hugely successful in their field. But that can act as a great spur to better your achievement, which is actually a good thing.

That said, it’s equally important to consider your own interests and aptitude carefully because they can help you find a rewarding career. You also need to factor in a few other elements when exploring your educational and career options. Think about how your interests, abilities, experiences, personality, and values will influence your satisfaction and success. These factors are also important in career exploration — just as important as your interests. For example, certain fields require a lot more study and work than others. If you find that sustained hard work and study don’t appeal to you, do take this into account when considering a career in medicine.

Master’s in Emergency Medicine — Choose wisely

Q. I am doing my MBBS. Would it be a good idea to pursue a master’s in Emergency Medicine in India? — Malvika Gaur

A. As an emergency medicine doctor you could be treating someone with a broken hip at this moment and rush to deliver a premature baby the next. From operating an automatic defibrillator to conducting a pulmonary testing procedure, this jack-of-all-trades is in charge of life and death in a job that allows no room for mistakes. 

The sharp rise in accident and trauma-related injuries has underscored the significance of the “golden hour” in medical circles all over the world.

Typically what happens is that each time a patient with a particular injury is brought in, the related specialist (from medicine, surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, gynaecology or neurosurgery) is hailed, resulting in loss of valuable time.  Further time is wasted in moving the patient from the emergency room to the concerned department.

Apart from the complex challenges and professional satisfaction of fighting life and death situations as portrayed in the popular TV serial, ‘ER’, the best part is that there are numerous opportunities in this field. Today, emergency medical professionals are required not only in hospitals but also on board ships, railways, airlines, as part pat of the disaster management teams, pre-hospital emergency development and high risk sectors as well as in mass casualty situations. However, ensure that the course you are seeking admission to is duly recognised. In a recent notification, the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the National Board of Examination have cracked down on institutions offering unrecognised PG and super-specialisation courses, including those offering MEM in Emergency Medicine.

Even hospitals granting DNB (Diplomate of the National Board) that are offering the MEM programme parallel with the DNB have been banned by the NBE from doing so in the interest of quality education as many of them having been sharing the same patient load as well as faculty between the two courses.

Is avionics taught in India?

Q. I am a student of Class XII. Could you please tell me something about the scope of avionics and whether it is taught in India? — Kabir Tharani

A. An abbreviation of Aviation Electronics, Avionics is all about designing and operating electronic systems, circuitry and components for aircraft, missiles and satellites.

A vital branch of electronics, avionics has many sub areas like avionic architecture, aircraft control & guidance, electronic warfare. It also offers immense scope for higher studies and research.

A BTech in avionics will focus on electronics used in aerospace systems. While covering all that comes under a typical ECE programme, it will give you in addition, an exposure to the control and computer systems that are used in aerospace systems.

 BTech in avionics can be followed by further specialization in power electronics, micro-electronics, communication, control computer systems. Armed with a degree in avionics, you can assume a variety of roles, including those of Technical Manager, Avionics Engineer and Test Engineer. A number of engineering colleges, including the premier Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology, Thiruvananthapuram; BITS, Hyderabad; Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh; Chandigarh University etc offer BTech in avionics