Building a Successful Medical Career: Networking and Mentorship

My inspiration to become a doctor started since when I was young, primary three pupil to be precised. My mom was an auxiliary nurse in a private hospital (name withheld). Every time I’m in holiday I always follow her to her workplace. One day, I was sick, she asked me to follow her to the hospital, on getting there, I saw many patients both old and young waiting for a doctor to be examined. Even though there are many patients waiting to receive medical treatment, but there were only 2 doctors available. A thought came upon me; does it mean that there are no many doctors that can assist these patients? In fact one of the patients died because there was no doctor to examine him. I began to feel for these patients, my own sickness vanished.

Moreso, some of the patients looked afflicted, I felt bad for them that I can’t help anyone, all I could do at that time was sitting and waiting for my mom who was very busy to collect prescribed drugs from the available doctors and give to the patients.

My sympathetic gathered as I saw how patients were suffering on a daily basis. Sometimes I don’t want to go to the hospital with mom because I don’t want to see patients making painful faces. I thought within me that I have to do something to help these people. Furthermore, I asked my mom, is there no other way these patients’ lives can be saved? My mom answered me “It’s only doctor that can help these people” I told my mom that I want to be a doctor in future. She was happy to some extent but later taught me that being a doctor isn’t that easy, being a doctor means that you need to be really sacrificed. According to her, doctor is a profession that requires dedication of time, having sympathy on people, having interest on the course of study and that I must be ready to study and learn throughout life. She further told me that as a doctor, I have the opportunity to use my knowledge of science and technology to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses, and to make a difference in the lives of my patients. Moreover, to become a doctor is undoubtedly challenging, requiring unwavering determination and internal drive.

In fact, I accepted these facts without bordering myself. However, these facts could not stop my high determination and intention at all. I tried harder in my studies. I only think that I need to help the people who are suffering from illnesses. I want to be a good doctor to help patients to get the best medical treatment, to improve the quality of people’s life through diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a wide range of diseases and the spread of the deadly disease carrier.
I was two years old when my Dad died. After his demise, my mom got married to a very prominent and handsome man, but the man hated me and refused to sponsor me in school. I was then taken to my grandparents to stay with. I grew up with them. I started my primary school there. I sat for common entrance examination and came out with flying colours. I entered junior secondary school and passed excellently. My mind was still in becoming a doctor one day. I sat for junior secondary three examination and came out with flying colours as well, from there I sat for senior secondary three examination, there was no money for the examination. My mom and my step-father was informed about it but my step-father said that, it was none of his business and that he married my mom not me.

I wept bitterly, pleading for assistance to no avail. I couldn’t write the examinations that year. I kept my hope alive, assuring myself that I will still be a doctor.
So, my grandparents were able to gather some money for my examination fees the following year. I wrote the examinations and had three A’s, three B’s and one C. But one thing always make me feel sad, “Who will sponsor me?” That same year I wrote JAMB and I passed in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English and Mathematics. The overall scores was 450. I also sat for Post UTME and performed excellently to study Medicine and Surgery. I was very glad but “WHO WILL SPONSOR ME?” That was how I forfeited my precious career and all effort wasted.

Nevertheless, what really prevented me from becoming a doctor was because my father was late and my step-father was irresponsible. That really influenced my life as an adult because I would have been a great doctor or surgeon by now. I would have gotten everything I need in life but because of my step-father’s attitude towards me, it made things very difficult for me. I would have taken care of him, my mom and siblings if he had sponsored me.

The most painful thing was that my step-father didn’t enjoy his children because none of his children was as brilliant as I am. He sponsored all his four children (2 boys and 2 girls), he even organized home lesson for them but their results was nothing to write home about.

Moreso, it influenced my life as an adult because when I see my mates being very great, I always weep and remember my past and the question I asked “WHO WILL SPONSOR ME?” This is my story.