Step 3: Specific Interests
Students Year 2-4: Develop Your Specific Interests
Podiatric medicine and surgery is a unique field in that there are several
potential sub-specialties, although it is a specialty itself. It is likely that
you will become interested in some specific aspect – some examples are:
- Research
- Pediatrics
- Sports Medicine
- Wound Care
- Reconstructive Surgery
However, the only way you will find out what you are interested in is to actually experience it. Most of these “sub-specialties” have individual clubs or professional organizations within the school in which you can become involved. If you think you may be interested in research, find a mentor and do a research project. If you think you may be interested in surgery, visit residency programs as much as possible to get into the operating room. If you think you may be interested in wound care, find a local wound care center and volunteer. It’s obviously not a complicated formula, but it does involve you taking an active role in the process.