Who Followed Their Career Passions?

[anne1707]

Leigh

 

That is far closer to three hours than it is to five. You would have to be walking extremely slowly for you to stretch it to five hours.

 

So you are talking of a commute under 2 hours each way. Now that is not ideal but for a short term period with a long term gain, that is do-able. You also need to think about how you could use your travelling time - course reading etc -so that would not be "dead" time.

[Leigh 87]

Leigh

 

That is far closer to three hours than it is to five. You would have to be walking extremely slowly for you to stretch it to five hours.

 

So you are talking of a commute under 2 hours each way. Now that is not ideal but for a short term period with a long term gain, that is do-able. You also need to think about how you could use your travelling time - course reading etc -so that would not be "dead" time.

 

I am trying to talk myself out of a degree that has slim job prospects by trying to.... Think of reasons not to do it.

 

I only like it slightly more than I do podiatry as a career. Plus podiatry has way more jobs available.

 

If I woke up at 6 am every day to study until 11 pm, would I be able to get a distinction in the first year physics? There is just one physics course that also one semester in the entire degree.

 

The Australian government website stipulates that it is a fast growing job market and states there are just as many job openings as podiatry. It is just many students day they cannot get a job.

 

 

 

I love adventure though and would be happy to move anywhere for a job.....

[Leigh 87]

At my age it is a much better choice to complete a degree that has the best prospects, within my field of interest (allied health science degrees all appeal to me, so I know I wouldn't "hate" any of them).

 

Podiatry = high rate of employment, very likely to get a job, and a challenging and rewarding degree to study.

 

It is not a popular degree and therefore the market is less saturated than other allied health professions such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and medical radiation science.....

 

However, I JUST have the marks to get into the 92.3 entrance score, diagnostic radiography degree that many students would kill to get into, I find slightly more interesting than podiatry, and I actually have a shot at getting into.....

 

Is the extra travel time, which I would spend studying anyways, and the fact it will be harder to get a job, a reason to NOT do that degree?

 

 

 

 

Ultimately, my final decision will be swayed by:

 

- meeting with my physics professor tutor; he wants to discus the content of radiography, to see if I can handle the physics side of things if I work really hard.

 

- attending the course information day and truly deciding if I even would have a shot at getting work in the diagnostic medical imaging career.......

 

- perhaps the physics are beyond me given I have never learnt physics. however, the biomechanics in podiatry are gone into in more depth than in ANY OTHER DEGREE - and biomechanics des cover basic physics.......

[Leigh 87]

Since you are having such an impossible time making this decision, maybe that is a sign that you are not in the right place to make a serious decision and to stick with it.

 

Wanting to talk yourself into or out of things is no place to start. You need a bit of clarity.

 

Are you still seeing a therapist?

 

 

 

You do not seem to get that I am hungry to study towards a profession. I do not want more time off to "think".

 

I do not want to look after kids, struggle to get menial work which I hate, or work in aged care full time. I want a PROFESSIAL career and I really want to study again.

 

I am nearly 28 there are NO options for me that are as appealing as getting a degree ASAP in the allied health sciences. I am very motivated and excited by that, and doing anything other than working towards my PROFESSIONAL career is depressing and NOT what is best for me.

 

I am very hungry to start a degree. I am definitely ready for the study, it is what drives me a lot more than any alternatives.

 

 

 

I like both degrees - I am trying to figure out what one would make me "happier".

 

Both degrees are FAR BETTER options than doing something else.

[Leigh 87]

People STOP making comments regarding even going to college.

 

I am 28, it is extremely moronic to assume that sitting around and doing something else is a better option than going after a proper career.

 

Trust me, I KNOW for a fact there are no more enjoyable and more fulfilling options for me than getting this degree underway. Absolutely every other option sucks and depresses me.

 

I am at the stage in life where again, I am ready to study hard and gain fulfilment from actually working towards something worthwhile.

 

Aged care is enjoyable for me I have found, I am doing the online certificate now, but it is by no means a substitute for a professional career that requires an allied health DEGREE.

 

Any comments that allude to me sitting around and putting off my future studies for even LONGER will be deleted and the poster banned from my threads.

 

I am an adult and know there are not better options for me than the degree, whichever I so choose.

 

Cheers.

[ufo8mycat]

Why wouldn't you also apply for Diagnostic Radiography at Sydney then? Give yourself twice the chance. The commute would be around about the same and plenty of people commute from the Coast to Sydney. I did it from sydney to the coast for years. You can park at Lidcombe so you don't have the connecting train issue.

[Leigh 87]

Why wouldn't you also apply for Diagnostic Radiography at Sydney then? Give yourself twice the chance. The commute would be around about the same and plenty of people commute from the Coast to Sydney. I did it from sydney to the coast for years. You can park at Lidcombe so you don't have the connecting train issue.

 

 

 

Because their ATAR cut off is far too high for me I only got 92 remember...

 

Sydney needs mid 90's as the cut off.

 

I mean, should I even put Sydney as a preference? They are trying to slim down prospective students by raising ATARS since the PDY is harder and harder to even come by these days......

 

And I would be competing against students way smarter than me with very high ATARS I know I could do it but getting in... yeah.

[Leigh 87]

Why wouldn't you also apply for Diagnostic Radiography at Sydney then? Give yourself twice the chance. The commute would be around about the same and plenty of people commute from the Coast to Sydney. I did it from sydney to the coast for years. You can park at Lidcombe so you don't have the connecting train issue.

 

 

 

 

And also - do you think I would get a PDY year placement if I was willing to move anywhere? Like literally, anywhere!

 

My bf is fine with me moving for work as is my family. They would help me with rent etc.

 

Is it only students who refuse to move anywhere, that fail to get PDY placements?

[ufo8mycat]

ATAR is only the reflection of the popularity of the course, it has nothing to do with the availability of PDYs.

 

Why wouldn't you put it in? Don't get you six options or so? The worse case scenario if you get your third choice of podiatry.

 

If you are prepared to move to rural or regional areas you will get a PDY. There is still a shortage of allied health professionals in regional Queensland.

[Leigh 87]

Well I am very willing to move. In fact, I have been on a plane every single year of my life. I love adventure. I have lived in three or four different places iny life and absolutely would love to move rural.

 

 

If i knew I has a good.shot at getting a radiography job I would pick diagnostic in a heart beat.

[Leigh 87]

I appreciate your concerns.

 

Whichever degree I get into, it is something I will focus 100% on. I will most certainly be living and breathing whichever degree I get into.

 

I sent the physics component of diagnostic radiography to my physics professor tutor. He said we need to meet immediately to discuss it. LOL.

 

Hopefully the physics isn't beyond me.. But podiatry won't be any easier since it covers the most in depth biomechanics than any other degrees even more so than medicine.

 

Thing about diagnostic radiography is, there are many different subjects you cover....I could focus on getting meagre passes in physics and distinctions in the other subjects.

[Conners]

Cost of life in Western Australia is high.

It has skyrocketed in the last few years. Just something to keep in mind.

 

Very accurate. Perth is the most expensive city to live in Australia at the moment. I am planning to move after my degree is completed.

[pureinheart]

Leigh, my advice would be to do what your heart desires, what you love, and I promise you, you'll never work a day in your life.

 

You may not do God, but this is what happened to me. I didn't even know what my passion was, but He did. I didn't even have a HS diploma, but He orchestrated circumstances that were unbelievable. It was all OTJ training and classes that my company provided- expensive ones free of cost, paid for by the company.

 

I was able to be apart of something that was so much bigger than me, it was just amazing. Everyone took pride in their work and we were all so dedicated- the atmosphere was filled constantly with joy and dedication. There were stressful times and a lot of long hours, but it was wonderful.

 

Good luck to you....

[Leigh 87]

Leigh, my advice would be to do what your heart desires, what you love, and I promise you, you'll never work a day in your life.

 

You may not do God, but this is what happened to me. I didn't even know what my passion was, but He did. I didn't even have a HS diploma, but He orchestrated circumstances that were unbelievable. It was all OTJ training and classes that my company provided- expensive ones free of cost, paid for by the company.

 

I was able to be apart of something that was so much bigger than me, it was just amazing. Everyone took pride in their work and we were all so dedicated- the atmosphere was filled constantly with joy and dedication. There were stressful times and a lot of long hours, but it was wonderful.

 

Good luck to you....

 

Thanks.

 

I think podiatry is a fantastic career and I think very highly of the degree and profession.

 

I just so happen to think diagnostic radiography is a slightly more " fun" career lol.

 

I met friend a couple of years ago who is now a practising podiatrist. She's ended up being a good friend.

 

The thing is, everyone wants to do medical imaging so there is more fierce competition lol.

Scary.

[pureinheart]

Thanks.

 

I think podiatry is a fantastic career and I think very highly of the degree and profession.

 

I just so happen to think diagnostic radiography is a slightly more " fun" career lol.

 

I met friend a couple of years ago who is now a practising podiatrist. She's ended up being a good friend.

 

The thing is, everyone wants to do medical imaging so there is more fierce competition lol.

Scary.

 

Wow, it seems like a rock and a hard place? Do you like both equally? What to do, take a chance on imaging or go the Podiatry route that is a little more safe.

 

Imaging does sound fun though- here, the imaging people seem to have more control over their schedules, doctors on the other hand aren't as "free lance"(sp?) ...you know, you could do both. Go through college for the safer career and if you're not completely sold out then go for the imaging later. The Podiatry could gain you connections making getting into imaging a piece of cake- AND you'd always have something to fall back on. You seem to like school so that's half the battle IMO.

 

Whatever it is you do, you'll be good at it, I have no doubt about that!

[Leigh 87]

Wow, it seems like a rock and a hard place? Do you like both equally? What to do, take a chance on imaging or go the Podiatry route that is a little more safe.

 

Imaging does sound fun though- here, the imaging people seem to have more control over their schedules, doctors on the other hand aren't as "free lance"(sp?) ...you know, you could do both. Go through college for the safer career and if you're not completely sold out then go for the imaging later. The Podiatry could gain you connections making getting into imaging a piece of cake- AND you'd always have something to fall back on. You seem to like school so that's half the battle IMO.

 

Whatever it is you do, you'll be good at it, I have no doubt about that!

 

 

 

haha thanks

 

I am fairly nervous about BOTH degrees.

 

I have been told that podiatry is VERY difficult! At my Uni, it is a four year degree but condensed into THREE years. It is extremely full on I have been told.

 

I am a "good" nervous I suppose. I am consumed with a nervous excitement, and a " omg it will probably be so hard" type of nervous.....

 

I will definitely need to prepare before the semester starts - I would need to buy some anatomy and physiology basics DVD'S and learn the basics to make the course more bearable for when we have to learn the hard stuff.....

 

Medical imaging appeals to me more as a career - it would be a more interesting job, I love the idea of pushing buttons all day and being in charge of ensuring that patients have the best quality images....

 

I would also have the scope to pursue a career in sonography if I did well, which is extremely well paid and has a shortage....

 

I also love the idea of a podiatry career. Medical imaging is just a teeny bit more interesting to me. But it has less prospects for employment, is located far away from where I live and has far greater competition among the student cohort than podiatry.

 

 

 

There has been a severe shortage of professional development placements in medical imaging since 2012 or maybe even prior.....

 

I am a little too uncomfortable with that notion at this stage, for me to seriously put down diagnostic radiography as my first choice. I mean, I am still fearful that I would have like... a 50% shot at NEVER getting employment.......

 

Both decent paying, interesting enough careers to me.

[Leigh 87]

I have been advised that podiatry has an extremely high workload.

 

A job is pretty much guaranteed at the end of it though, albeit now it is 2014 and there is not a shortage of podiatrist as there once was back in 09 and 10', but if you commute to work then immediate employment is still a given.

 

The first year out of uni for medical imaging has had a CRISIS since 2012 - not enough places for new grads. HOWEVER - you can work overseas more readily than you can with podiatry.

 

I would be so happy in both degrees. However, I only want to attend my local Uni as it is my favourite and I have a huge soft spot for it.

[clia]

I thought you already decided on podiatry and submitted your application?

[Eternal Sunshine]

Very accurate. Perth is the most expensive city to live in Australia at the moment. I am planning to move after my degree is completed.

 

It's beautiful though

[Leigh 87]

I thought you already decided on podiatry and submitted your application?

 

 

I did,

 

You can change course preferences until September.

[Leigh 87]

I just had a bit of an epiphany.

 

YOU KNOW - I think it is the out of reach element ... if podiatry was rated 92, and diagnostic radiography rated 73 (it is rated in terms of popularity), I would have DEFINATELY chosen podiatry because it was harder to get into and more "off limits"

 

They are definitely two areas of allied health that are the most appealing to me, but it is the fact podiatry is rated lower to get into (due to not many students opting to study it and it having less demand) that makes the out of reach, diagnostic radiography more "appealing".

 

I have heard from MANY... MANY people that there is a severe shortage of placements for new grads in ANY medical imaging discipline.

 

I have heard of grads that never got a job at all.

 

I have NEVER heard of a podiatry grad not being able to secure a job.

 

I am 28 I need to get real here. I need a job at the end of a degree.

 

I cannot see podiatrist being too oversaturated in the market anytime soon. All jobs are technically "oversaturated" with more workers then work, besides air traffic control and sonography... and probably a few other medical specialisties.

 

Even grads of medicine, new doctors, are in oversupply and it is not easy finding places for new grads/interns.

 

I actually know a lot about different careers. LOL. I have honestly done that much research I would be able to have hour long discussions on various degrees. LOL - maybe I can apply to work part time at my Uni as a course advisor? Literally, any degree they throw at me I could talk about for a few minutes about employment prospects and the like.

 

They employ students. I have 3 solid references and years of prior work experience, I am deff applying for a student services jobs next year:lmao: would be neat to work at Uni for 15 hours a week.

[Leigh 87]

Okay so, I am 100% picking podiatry.

 

Later down the track if I get bored of the job, I would be eligible for a masters of diagnostic radiography anyways which is 1.5 to 2 years from what I have heard.

 

I am sure I will love podiatry and live and breath is quiet happily:lmao: It feels more "me" than radiography at this stage in life.

 

However, I still like that I would have the option of, if podiatry as a career does burn me out, to then go and do a quick masters in say, radiography.

 

Maybe if the market picks up again for radiography I can try it out if podiatry is not to my liking!

 

I have a feeling I will forget all about other degrees once I start podiatry since I tend to live and breath my studies.

 

For my high school exam I took notes with me at all times - just small and/or colour coaded post it notes.

 

I am an all or nothing person. I either live and breath something or I don't bother studying it intensively lol.

[pink_sugar]

Leigh, you really should just choose a degree and stick with it to get your degree. Things can always change later on. The average person changes their career 3 times. You might end up finding something else you like, but you really need to get out there and get work experience to find the perfect fit. I've found that you cannot just rely on courses to be able to determine what is right for you. It's live experience.

[Leigh 87]

Haha. I could have also gotten into veterinary science / doctor of veterinary medicine if I had experience with animals, and attended an interview. sadly the uni that would accept me is in Wagga Wagga! Not near to where I live...

 

I am very thrilled about podiatry. It is more pure medical subjects than other allied health sciences apparently. That appeals to me study wise.

 

 

 

I can see podiatry becoming my passion. Study wise it is such an intense degree since it's condensed by one year. I believe many grads say the course content is always changeling and interesting.

 

The only negative I have ever heard regarding podiatry is that the job gets too boring and doesn't lend enough challenges...and has a few pods opt out and into another field of study.

 

I personally am not deterred by that. I am positive and tend to find the good in every situation. I can see myself loving merely having a job that requires intelligence and skill to get it. I don't mind getting paid well to cut toenails and do easy work.

 

Hearing about medical imaging students not finding placements was what scared me more than a supposedly un challenging career ( which I get paid for)

[ufo8mycat]

Later down the track if I get bored of the job, I would be eligible for a masters of diagnostic radiography anyways which is 1.5 to 2 years from what I have heard.

 

 

2 years for masters + PDY = 3 years. Just saying.

 

Sonography is very hard to get your clinical practice in if you don't come from imaging.

 

Radiographers are getting jobs, same as medicine graduates are getting job, just perhaps not in metropolitan areas.

 

If you love podiatry go for it but the language you use around quick, easy, back up options is a long way removed from reality.

 

You know CSU wagga also offers radiation sciences? Course overview | Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science | Undergraduate | Courses | Charles Sturt University

 

It is a fun town, I wanted to do my undergrad there but they didn't offer Radiation Therapy at the time.