Inside the Minds of Neurologists

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In the previous week, I have focused my research on understanding the characteristics of successful neurologists. Through this, I have come to realize that in addition to the educational requirements, training, and certifications, it takes a variety of values and traits to truly become successful in this field.

It is essential that doctors have certain skills which cannot just be learned from a textbook. Some of the traits that are deemed to be most important to succeed in the field of neurology are curiosity and openness. In such a complex and growing field like neurology, it is crucial to want to keep learning and be open to new ideas. Especially during the years of studying, it is vital to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible, and this is only possible by being intrigued, asking questions, and being open to new experiences. Being interested in this field is one thing that may come naturally, however, one of the ways to ensure open-mindedness is by keeping doors open, grabbing as many opportunities as possible, and being flexible. It is important to step out of my comfort zone if it means it may help me pave the way for my future career. Even if certain experiences are unsuccessful, it is essential to find a solution and a new way to reach the goal.

However, simply recognizing that these are important characteristics is not enough. It is important for me to now implement this into my own life. How will I do this? How can I open doors for myself? How will I know which door to walk through? These are some questions I am yet to find complete answers to. Some ways I will use this information are by reaching out to any opportunity I believe may help me in my journey to becoming a neurologist and by absorbing as much knowledge I can gain from school and professionals to use as a tool later on in life.

In the upcoming week, I hope to gain more knowledge on the different careers relating to neurology, as there are many sub specialties within the field. I hope gaining this understanding will help me decide where I need to focus my attention during research, and which subspecialities I would like to further pursue.