Doctors can make good money, so it is no wonder that so many people pursue a career in medicine. That being said, the competition can be tough when you look at popular medical careers such as family practitioner or surgeon. To make it easier to start a career, you should consider less common careers such as a career in anesthesiology. Unlike other doctors, anesthesiologists don't have to build up clientele in order to carve out their own practice. Knowing how to prepare for a career in anesthesiology is key to successfully launching your career. 

Start Preparing Early

Many high school students see their time in secondary school as the last four years of their childhood and thus try to fill it with as many shenanigans and as little work as possible. This type of an attitude will leave you ill-prepared to pursue a career in medicine. Those looking for a career in anesthesiology should take all the advanced math and science classes that they can in high school. Taking advanced placement classes is a good way to avoid some of the costs associated with college.

The College Years

When you go to college, you need to take classes that will help you prepare for anesthesiology. These should include classes in biology, anatomy, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, calculus, and other math classes. These classes will provide a foundation for training in how to help people deal with pain—which is the sum and substance of what anesthesiology is. 

The College Years: Part Two

Once you have concluded your bachelor's degree, you will need to pursue a degree in anesthesiology. This will take another four years, but you will get to specialize in what you have been preparing yourself for since high school. You will have some classroom courses in medical school, but you also get to do some work in an actual hospital.

Residency

Once you have finished your medical school, you will need to complete a medical residency. While residency will take four years, it is essential in providing you with the training you need to be successful in your career. You will be working in an actual hospital but under close supervision, but getting out of the classroom and into the hospital can make residency one of the richest learning opportunities for a medical student. 

While it can take a long time to become an anesthesiologist, the rewards are worth the effort. Not only do you get to pursue a career in helping people, but the average anesthesiologist will make around $220,000 in a year. While you will likely have to work up to such a salary, even the lowest 10% of anesthesiologists make around $120,000. Thus, helping people to deal with pain can be a lucrative career. To learn more, contact a college like Caribbean Medical University.