Last night, when I was grading bar exams procrastinating, I started reading an interesting blog called "MD to Be" written by a second year medical student at Albany Medical College. I was initially attracted to the blog because part of me still wishes that I had the stomach for medical school. However, I eventually remember that I can't stand the smell of formaldehyde or the sight of blood being drawn. I couldn't even handle dissecting a frog in high school biology...my lab partner did all the work!
In short, I am convinced "you've either got it, or you don't" and I absolutely would've been a med school disaster. MD to Be provides excellent insight into the real life of a med student and I'm now able to live vicariously through her! Even though I love indulging in Grey's Anatomy on Thursday nights, deep down, I recognize it's just a soap opera with actors dressed in scrubs.
On that note, years ago, I used to get so frustrated when random people I encountered found out I was a law student and would immediately start offering their legal "opinion" on the latest media sensation. I was always polite, but inside my head I was screaming "you idiot, watching the latest episode of Law & Order does not render you qualified to offer an opinion on one's sanity or the propriety of admitting a certain piece of evidence!"
I was astonished this summer when a young woman sitting next to me during jury selection in Rensselaer County Court told me that she didn't realize lawyers practiced anything other than criminal law! I had to explain that there is another whole realm out there called CIVIL litigation, not to mention administrative proceedings. I didn't even try to go there since I think her head may have exploded!
What is the biggest misconception about your profession?
I feel the same way about medical school! Although I could handle dissecting and all of that, blood makes me squeamish.
ReplyDeleteWe have so much in common! It's honestly one of my biggest regrets, but there's truly nothing I can do about it!
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