Over the past couple of years, I've had dozens of med student shadows, and they all ask me the same questions about choosing to do surgery, particularly the women... Here's what I tell them. https://twitter.com/drcopps/status/1283936250689355778

Your job is to pick what you like, medically. Then, you pick what kind of relationship you want with your patients... And bring THAT energy to the specialty of your choice. That's it! There are all kinds of people in every specialty.

People interested in women's health, mental health, advocacy, equity. People who love having long term relationships with patients, and people who don't. Academics and non academics. Kind people...and the other kind of people!

People who have great work life balance and people who don't. Happy people and unhappy people. You choose your subspecialty and practice setting to meet your needs, and adapt as you get older and life changes.

Kids? Possible in every specialty. It's always hard... Because kids are hard! Society isn't set up for working parents, but we're working on it. Sexism? Yes, because there is sexism in the world. But there are advocates for gender equality (of all genders) in every specialty.

I was voted most likely to be a geriatrician in med school. Now I'm a trauma surgeon/ICU doc. So just... follow your gut. And remember you can change your mind mid third year, mid residency, or mid career! Happy to hear from med students who want to chat.

Oh, and ignore those who teach one specialty is better than another. Patients need us ALL. We need each other. I WISH I could have a psychiatrist, endocrinologist, family doctor and physiatrist in each of my trauma clinics. Each of my clinics is a reminder of what I don't know!