Career Research

Pediatrician:
Job DescriptionDoctors who specialize in the care of young people, from birth to adolescence.
They are involved in diagnosing and treating injuries, infections, and diseases for young
patients, as well as counseling them through difficult times and situations, such as
puberty and family problems.
A pediatricians first responsibility is to diagnose illnesses. Pediatricians do this
by combining physical exams with the information in patients medical histories, and by
ordering special tests, such as x-rays and blood tests. Because they deal with children
and teenagers, pediatricians commonly encountered diseases and problems such as
asthma, lead poisoning, allergies, acne, and drug abuse. Next, pediatricians
recommend treatment programs.
Working ConditionsPediatricians work for hospitals, health clinics, and government agencies. Many
are self-employed, opening their own private practice offices or becoming partners with
other doctors in clinics. Some also work in colleges as professors.
Administrative work can take up a large part of a pediatricians day. They may
also get involved in teaching and research, or become active in the community to
promote childrens interests.
Like other doctors, pediatricians often work very long hours, especially at the
beginning of their careers. Most average between 9 and 12 hours a day, or 45 to 60
hours a week. They may also have very irregular work schedules, as it might be
necessary to work evenings and Saturdays to accommodate patients. It can be difficult
to balance a career as a doctor with a family life or personal time.

Earnings:
Like other doctors, pediatricians begin their careers as residents. During this
period their salaries typically range from about $45,000 to $55,000 a year, though some
residency programs pay more.Earnings increase after the residency period. The median
income for pediatricians is around $221,000 a year.
Salaried doctors who work for hospitals and other medical organizations receive
benefits in addition to their salaries. Benefits may include health and life insurance,
pension plans, and paid vacation and sick days.

Joining in at an entry wage you would make $61.98 an hour with an annual wage
of $128,920 up to experienced and making $90+ an hour with an annual wage of
$187,200+
Education:
To become a pediatrician you will need to attend medical school and earn
a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD). Applicants to medical school need to complete a 4year bachelors degree, including several key science courses. The admission process
is highly competitive, so some students also earn a masters degree before applying.
Most medical schools also require applicants to write the Medical College
Admission Test (MCAT). Applicants scores on this standardized test are taken into
account, along with their college grades and letters of reference. Most schools also
consider things like leadership qualities and extracurricular activities.
Medical school takes about 4 years and provides a general medical education. At
the end of the program, you will be an MD. To become a pediatrician, you must then
complete a residency, which is a period of practical, on-the-job training that takes place
in hospitals or other medical settings. Residencies in general pediatrics usually last 3
years.
At the end of your residency you are eligible for certification through the
American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). In addition, youll need to obtain a license from the
state where youll be working.

Criminal Lawyer:

Job Description:
Criminal lawyers have the same basic duties as other lawyers. First, they
advise their clients of their legal rights and responsibilities, as well as any potential
problems. Second, they represent their clients before the courts. Third, they research
rules, regulations, and previous cases. Finally, they prepare legal documents.
In the courtroom, criminal lawyers act on one of two sides: the defense or the
prosecution. Defense attorneys represent people who have been charged with criminal
offenses (for example, murder or theft) by making a case that supports their client's
innocence. On the other hand, prosecuting attorneys act for the government on behalf
of the public. They form cases against defendants by convincing juries to view the facts
as evidence of guilt.
In our justice system, the burden of proof is on the prosecuting attorney. This
means that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty, and it is up to the prosecution to
convince the jury of the defendants guilt.
Preparing for a trial involves carefully examining all the facts in the case and
using them to support the attorneys argument. It also involves consulting various
experts in other fields, such as psychologists and scientists.

Working Conditions:
Some criminal lawyers work for the government as prosecutors. Others work as
defense counsel, either independently (as sole practitioners) or as employees of law
firms.
They work most often in office environments, doing research and preparing for
cases. Although criminal lawyers spend some of their time in courtrooms, media
representations of this aspect of their jobs can be misleading. In fact, most lawyers
spend more time reading, writing, and meeting with clients and colleagues than they do
in court.
Whether they work for the prosecution or the defense, this can be very stressful
work. Prosecutors feel pressure from the public to make sure that those who commit
crimes receive the appropriate punishment and that justice is served. Defense lawyers
are under pressure from their clients to make sure that their rights are protected and
that they receive a fair trial. A mistake on either side can have disastrous results.

Criminal lawyers usually work 9 or more hours a day, 50 or more hours a week.
Weekend work and overtime is fairly common for lawyers, especially when they are
working on big cases. Travel is usually not a large part of the job, but lawyers often have
to go to meetings, sometimes in hospitals and prisons.

Earnings:
Most lawyers earn between $50,000 and $250,000 a year, with a national median
income of about $113,000 a year. Where an individual lies within this range depends on a
number of factors. The hourly entry wage starts at $32.58 with an annual wage of $67,760 up to
being experienced and making $69.88 and an annual wage of $145,350.

Education:
To become a lawyer, you must attend law school and complete a law degree.
Before applying to law school, however, you must first complete a bachelors degree.
Bachelors degrees usually take 4 years to complete.
Most law schools require applicants to take an aptitude test called the Law
School Admission Test (LSAT) as well. Competition for admission to many law schools
is intense, especially for the most prestigious schools.
Law school normally takes 3 years of full-time study to complete. The degree you
get is usually called a Juris Doctor (JD).
After graduating from law school, you need to successfully complete the bar
exam for the state(s) in which you plan to practice. Preparing for these exams can take
a lot of time and hard work.

Family Physician:

Job Description:

Family physicians are the health care professionals who are closest to us in our
daily lives. We are examined by these doctors from infancy to old age, and they are the
ones who diagnose our illnesses, treat us, and refer us to specialists if we have a more
serious disease or disorder. If you are interested in a medical career in which you can
form close personal connections with your patients over time, working as a family
physician might be the ideal career for you.
A family physicians first responsibility is to diagnose patients illnesses. To do
this, physicians perform physical exams and analyze the information in patients medical
histories. They also order and interpret the results of x-rays, blood tests, and other tests.
Next, they recommend a treatment program. Treatments can involve medication,
surgery, rehabilitation, or advice about exercise and nutrition.
During the diagnosis and treatment process, family physicians often
communicate with nurses, medical lab techs, physical therapists, and other healthcare
professionals. In some cases, family physicians will suggest that a patient see a
specialist.
Unlike general internistswho often have very similar dutiesfamily physicians
have extra training in pediatrics and obstetrics, and so are qualified to care for pregnant
women, deliver babies, and treat infants.
Working Conditions:
Family physicians deal with a wide range of patients and illnesses, and
can often be found working in community-level offices and clinics. Some are selfemployed, which means they run their own practices, while others work as part of group
practices with other doctors. They may also work for hospitals or government agencies.
Administrative work can take up a large part of their day. Those who run their
own practices have many business-related responsibilities. Family physicians can also
get involved in teaching and research, or become involved in the community to promote
healthy lifestyles.
Physicians work very long hours, especially at the beginning of their careers.
Many average more than 50 hours a week.
Earnings:
Like other doctors, family physicians start their careers as residents. During this
period they typically earn $45,000 to $60,000 a year.

Fully qualified family physicians generally earn somewhere between $100,000

and $250,000 a year, although some make more than this. According to a recent survey
conducted by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA), the median income for
family physicians is around $219,000 a year.

Education:
Family physicians complete the same basic training as other doctors. Applicants
to medical schools must first complete a 4-year bachelors degree, including several
required science courses. Because admissions are highly competitive, some applicants
even have a masters degree.
Most medical schools require applicants to write the Medical College Admission
Test (MCAT). Applicants scores on this standardized test are taken into account, along
with their college grades and letters of reference. Most schools also consider things like
extracurricular activities, leadership qualities, and personal character.
Medical school is 4 years in length and provides a general medical education. At
the end of the program, students become Doctors of Medicine (MDs). To become family
physicians, they must then complete a residency, which is a period of practical, on-thejob training that takes place in hospitals or other medical settings. Residencies in family
medicine usually last 3 years.
After completing the residency, family physicians can take the certification exam
administered by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). In addition, all doctors
need to obtain a license from the state where theyll be working.