BETHESDA, Md.--(COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Feb 24, 2003--Career trends in the new millennium have shown a recent shift from finance, technology and business to service and healthcare, and students across the country are reacting. Last year, for example, students taking the Medical School Admissions Test (MCAT) increased nearly eight percent. Students are looking for effective ways to find their employment niche in the ever-growing healthcare arena and to learn more about the many options available.
Podiatric medicine is one healthcare field that has reacted to the need to better educate students with the development of the DPM Mentor Network. The Network is a unique organization of podiatric physicians from across the country who have opened their offices for students to shadow and to learn more about this exciting medical career. Through this network, doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs) give students the ability to observe the day-to-day workings of a podiatry office. They generally observe the doctor treating patients, dealing with the general business of a medical practice and even may have the option to see surgical procedures. Students� exposure varies from doctor to doctor, but the program gives each student a unique insight into the life of a podiatrist.
Dr. Glenn Gastwirth, executive director of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), has endorsed the concept of the DPM Mentor Network wholeheartedly. �Our members are always willing to work with students, but the Network gives those students a structure to access the doctors. There are volunteers from every state who have embraced this program and have already enjoyed meeting with students who want to learn more about this outstanding medical career.�
Students interested in the shadowing program can find a doctor merely by logging onto a Web https://ttp://www.apma.org/careers.htm) and locating a podiatrist near their home or college. They can contact the doctor by email or by phone to make arrangements to visit the office and spend time with the doctor. �The DPM Mentor Network is easy, convenient, and a true resource for students interested in careers in medicine,� stated one student from Temple University in Philadelphia. �I was searching for a career that would allow me to have both a family and financial rewards. After shadowing with a doctor in my area, I realized that podiatric medicine was a great choice for me.�
Choosing a career path is one of the most difficult decisions facing undergraduates today. In order to ensure that each student is making his or her best choice, many of the colleges of podiatric medicine either request or require that students spend time with a doctor of podiatric medicine prior to being admitted. �Students should understand the profession and a great way to get that understanding is to visit with a practicing DPM,� commented one admissions director. The DPM Mentor Network makes that process easy and convenient.
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