Article: From high school onward, keep an eye out for individuals who can provide with you some guidance and advice from a professional standpoint. Try to stay in touch with those surgeons that you meet and keep them updated regarding what is happening with you. These mentors can provide unique insight into the school process and what your life will be like afterwards. It is a great idea to identify one or more of your professors as potential mentors. Your relationship with them can continue after you complete school. And, they can provide you with much needed letters of reference and connections. Medical school usually takes at least four years to complete. You will spend the first few years primarily in the classroom and lab, learning procedures and surgical practices. Then, you will transition to working on your skills under the supervision of an experienced surgeon. You will rotate from specialty to specialty in order to expose you to a full array of options.  Obstetrics, pediatrics, and cardiology are just a few of the specialties that you may encounter on your rotation. Once you graduate, you will be awarded with a degree. In the U.S., you will receive either a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). While you are in medical school, you will begin evaluating certain residency programs that have an emphasis on your desired area of specialty. You will then apply for this program and spend somewhere between three to seven years completing it. You will essentially serve as a surgeon under supervision.  Residency programs usually focus on a particular area of medicine, such as urology or critical care. This is the time where you will truly hone your skills in a more specific way. As another example, in the United Kingdom you move into a phase called “Foundation Training” after receiving your initial medical degree. During this two-year period, you work with patients and begin to explore a field of specialty. When you've finished your residency, you will have the option to continue training for up to three years as part of a fellowship. This fellowship provides you with the time to focus even more closely on a surgical subspecialty, like cardiothoracic measures. Many fellowships will also provide with financial and academic support for publishing. It is always a good idea to talk with a fellowship program about where their graduates are working now. This will give you a better idea of your career options post-fellowship. Licensing very much varies depending on your particular location. You will want to follow the guidance of your residency or fellowship program regarding the licenses that you will need to apply for. In most scenarios, you will need to pass certain exams in front of a medical board. For example, in the U.S. states, it is necessary to take an exam, such as the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). As you move through the education process, try to find ways to publish your unique insights in trade journals or hospital publications. Every piece that you publish provides another valuable line on your resume and it also reflects your transition from student to surgeon.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Find a mentor. Complete medical school. Complete a residency program. Add a fellowship. Get licensed. Try to publish.