Applying to medical school is a very competitive process, and not everyone who is interested in becoming a doctor will ultimately be successful in gaining admission. However, many of the aspects that draw people to practise medicine, such as the ability to help people, job security and good salaries, are also present in a variety of other professions and occupations.
Medical Illustrator
Medical illustrators render science and medicine visually by creating both traditional and digital illustrations. It is an ideal job for creative people with a background in both science and art. The field is evolving as new design technologies mean new ways to convey art in multimedia. There’s just one Association of Medical Illustrators-accredited graduate program in Canada: the two-year University of Toronto Biomedical Communications program. According to the program’s website, graduates work in fields as varied as pharma and biotech visualization, medical-legal visualization, health communication, research dissemination and textbook publishing.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists study disease outbreaks and patterns, and develop strategies to control and prevent them. They act as medical “detectives” to find out the cause of an outbreak by analyzing data and trends, and examine the factors that impact outbreaks (environmental, behavioural, microbial and physiological, for example). Their findings often have a large impact on public health programs and policies. Most employers will require at least a master’s degree in epidemiology, which can be obtained at several universities throughout Canada.
Optometrist
Optometrists specialize in the health of the eyes. They treat patients’ problems with vision, and prescribe glasses, contact lenses and medicines. Optometrists can also specialize in different areas, such as pediatric care and low vision. It takes seven to eight years of post-secondary education to complete a Doctor of Optometry. Two universities in Canada offer the program: the University of Waterloo and the Université de Montréal. The average optometrist earns between $70,0000 to $80,000 per year excluding benefits, according to Waterloo, and enjoys a stable working life with routine hours and few emergencies.
Genetics Technologist
Genetics technologists study the genetics of a cell to help diagnose genetic diseases and disorders. They examine samples of blood, bone marrow, tumours and other biological specimens using specialized equipment. These laboratory tests are used to diagnose and treat patients. Scientific advancements and discoveries mean that this field is constantly evolving. Genetics technologists can work in hospitals, private laboratories, forensics and academic research. Two institutions in Canada offer post-graduate training: the Michener Institute and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Introduction by Carleton University Co-op and Career Services
