Many people have a firm career plan set in stone from a young age. Others leave that decision making until immediately after graduating, using the skills they gained from their course as leverage with employers.

Either tactic is viable, but there are certain work areas that require much more prior planning. Medical is one such area, and it’s something that can be quite difficult to pursue. The correct path may not always be clear, but that path is there for you to take.

Is a medical career right for me?
It’s the question you should ask of any endeavor, but medical boasts a unique set of requirements not often found elsewhere. For starters, you must be utterly empathetic. A medical career means putting the needs and service of others first, above all else.

You’ll need to be flexible, with out-of-hours work an inevitability. You might have to frequently work evenings, weekends and holidays, so be sure that you can. If you know that these basic requirements aren’t for you, then stop right there. It’s important to factor in all outcomes before you make a decision.

Start with the basics
If you are indeed interested in a medical career, you’ll need to start right from the bottom. You should build a strong foundation in basic sciences and other common skills that will aid your career path. Focusing on these as an undergraduate student would be ideal, when you have more flexibility to choose subjects.

In a similar vein, plan your college education with your ultimate goal in mind. You want to be building a diverse set of skills that can complement your knowledge of various sciences. Select your areas of study carefully; don’t just choose the most popular, or the most recommended. Choose something that will interest you, challenge you and draw the best out of you.

Other skills
If you aren’t sure that your personality fits this particular career choice, it might be worth utilizing a self-insight tool. This can help you gain perspective on yourself as a person, and help you organize your priorities. Weigh the values found here against the ideal traits of a medical worker, and see if you match.

Elsewhere, due to the complex nature of medical equipment, ISO 13485 training will be an essential option for many. It’s important that the standard of these devices be upheld, for obvious reasons. Other than this, consider seeking out and interviewing somebody who has the medical job that you seek. Ask them about their career, and gain valuable insight into what your life could one day be like.

Consider the costs
Medical education can be costly, but you’ll be rewarded with a long-term career and above average income. The average cost of medical tuition fees can quickly spiral out of control, so bear this in mind. It may cost a lot to get there, but if the end goal is worth it to you, then this won’t be an issue. After all, you’ll be enjoying one of the most lucrative careers available.

When all is said and done, choosing a career will be one of the most important decisions you have to make. So make it carefully! If you have doubts, keep your options open. People may pursue a medical career for financial gain, but this isn’t the way. You must have a passion for helping others, and must be able to put this first.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it contains affiliate links.