Thoracic Surgeon

Duties and Responsibilities: Also known as Cardiothoracic Surgeons, they are doctors that specialize in surgically treating illnesses or injuries that afflict the heart, lungs, esophagus, and major blood vessels. It is a highly specialized field because thoracic surgeons must have intense knowledge on the areas that they specialize in.

Salary: $400,000

Education: According to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, there are four steps to becoming a general thoracic surgeon: completion of any four-year degree (provided the coursework meets the prerequisites for entrance into medical school), four years in medical school, five years in a surgical residency program, and two to three years of advanced training in cardiothoracic surgery. After completing this training, thoracic surgeons become members of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and further their understanding of selected specialties in thoracic surgery.

Reflection: I would not like to become a Thoracic surgeon because I do not have any interest in this field of work. I also do not have the required qualities of a surgeon nor do I wish to obtain them. So there is no reason for me to become a thoracic surgeon.