Depressed and wanting to change careers

[NatCh]

I believe that ribs and chicken wings were also “peasant food” in the past

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[dtrack22]

My input might get shouted down on this forum but I think you have a decent outlook. You're at the end of a grueling residency so you're basically seeing the light at the end of that tunnel. Residency sucks. Period. Being in practice has it's problems but what job doesn't? It's way better than residency. You're single and geographically flexible so that's in your favor. You WILL be able to pay off your student loans as long as you don't blow all your money on fine watches and fast cars in the first decade out. Cost of living is outrageous but that doesn't change with your career choice; everyone in the country is facing it. How many careers can make you six figures right out of the gate? Only a few. You've made your choice so you may as well follow through at this point. You can change careers later if you still hate it after you've banked some money. Hang in there dude. Don't choke now.

Oh yeah, the 20s aren't the only prime years of life. Take care of your physical health and there will be plenty of prime years left.

If the OP is willing to live anywhere he’ll be able to find a job that pays more than enough to pay off loans and live comfortably. Others aren’t wrong in that this is much harder than it should be. Those jobs aren’t widely available. They are sporadic but OP can get one, it just takes more luck and work than it should for a healthcare professional of any kind. I think, essentially, everyone is right. To some extent.

 

[dtrack22]

I believe that ribs and chicken wings were also “peasant food” in the past

At least they are still relatively cheap from a protein standpoint

 

[Local1st]

What a great accident it was to stumble upon this forum while searching for something seemingly unrelated on google.....guess with my search history I shouldn't be so surprised.
Anyway, there are so many great points made by the 10+yr people. Podiatry can be a low and slow game if you willing to learn the rules and ride the uneventful (to some yet I loved the consistency) ride. We are 16 years in PP and its been a very rewarding time. Peaked and out of debt by year 3. Like the seasoned ones said a lot has to do with mindset and looking for that "end goal", live like a tightwad and stick to budget and my own two sense...work smarter not harder. Do the things that others brush off as "bottom feeder" work (consistently pays, no PAs and pts leave happy and return every 3 mo). Pods with their own clinic, talk to as many as you can, pick their brain and be willing to do it all.
Be willing to relocate. We read phone books where ever we traveled to for conferences or bc there was a cheap flight to a place we might "like" to live. Places that were growing in population yet lacked specialist got added to our list. Cost of living helped narrow things down after that.
School taught us how to execute our skills but failed to teach us how easy it is to open a practice and be our own boss.....strategically designed to keep us close for donation purposes and also "down".....we all know those professors that would hate to see us succeed. Hell they all thought they were the greatest.
You chose a great specialty! Just make it work for you.
Happy to encourage the young ones just starting out.

 

[Boba Foot]

Speaking of depression what’s the latest on the student loans? Isn’t there a court date set for June to dispute the legality of the 10k loan forgiveness? Possible repayment to restart in September

SCOTUS has heard arguments but have yet to issue their ruling. They will probably shoot down forgiveness because the majority opinion on the court only believes in bailing out corporations.

Payments are set to resume either 60 days after the ruling or 60 days after June 30, so first payment would be in October at the latest.

I’m personally of the belief that it would be a dumb move for Biden to resume payments heading into election season, and I also think taking away disposable income from millions of borrowers would move the economy from tenuous into a full recession. We shall see.

 

[DYK343]

At least they are still relatively cheap from a protein standpoint

I am a self proclaimed rib master.
I dont think any poster here can beat my pork or beef ribs.
Cook 'em every weekend for years.
Working on my recipies.
I accept any challenger.

They got expensive 2020-2021 but back down again

 

[DYK343]

SCOTUS has heard arguments but have yet to issue their ruling. They will probably shoot down forgiveness because the majority opinion on the court only believes in bailing out corporations.

Payments are set to resume either 60 days after the ruling or 60 days after June 30, so first payment would be in October at the latest.

I’m personally of the belief that it would be a dumb move for Biden to resume payments heading into election season, and I also think taking away disposable income from millions of borrowers would move the economy from tenuous into a full recession. We shall see.

If SCOTUS shuts him down no way he restarts payments. Zilch.

 

[dtrack22]

I am a self proclaimed rib master.
I dont think any poster here can beat my pork or beef ribs.
Cook 'em every weekend for years.
Working on my recipies.
I accept any challenger.

They got expensive 2020-2021 but back down again

Let’s do this…

 

[DYK343]

Let’s do this…

View attachment 371019

View attachment 371020

Wrap them in duck fat over tallow or butter (ive tried bacon greese too - not so great).
Duck fat is WHERE its at.
Plus some brown sugar and red pepper flakes.

 

[air bud]

Wrap them in duck fat over tallow or butter (ive tried bacon greese too - not so great).
Duck fat is WHERE its at.
Plus some brown sugar and red pepper flakes.

Dtrack22 is a BBQ master....don't play with fire @DYK343

 

[Feli]

Opening 2 new schools is the stupidest F'm thing this profession has ever done.
Its just flat and simple stupid.

Shoot... there are too many finalists:

"Let's make all residencies 3 years and call them surgical, with little real regard for volume or academics."
"Let's open schools and figure out the residency spots later."
"Let's seriously consider having podiatry students take the USMLE."
"Let's do nothing when a recognized podiatry board has all of its board of directors resign."
"Let's have VAs be residency sponsors... nevermind if they're good... EVERYONE gets a residency."
"Let's start a fight and exclude the best educational organization in podiatry because they won't mandate APMA membership."
"Let's make up a bunch of bogus colleges and societies with inferior education to double down on that."
"Let's make a list of approved shoes... and add sandals."
"Let's tell prospective students of increasing elderly and retirees when USA is teetering on negative population growth like every other first world nation."
"Let's blame a discussion forum for saturation, bad job market, job quality, and low ROI of podiatry school."
[there are probably 10 others I'm forgetting, just in my relatively short career]

 

[dtrack22]

Plus some brown sugar and red pepper flakes.

Don’t ruin beef ribs with brown sugar. And no need for red pepper flakes, I put heat in the BBQ sauce I make but cayenne in the rub would do the trick and would be better from a bark formation standpoint. I like the duck fat idea, will try that on an upcoming cook! I normally just use beef tallow (when cooking beef products) that I render from brisket trimmings.

Here’s a pork medley. Pork belly burnt ends, pork butt, and some spare ribs…this is where the brown sugar goes

 

[NatCh]

Don’t ruin beef ribs with brown sugar. And no need for red pepper flakes, I put heat in the BBQ sauce I make but cayenne in the rub would do the trick and would be better from a bark formation standpoint. I like the duck fat idea, will try that on an upcoming cook! I normally just use beef tallow (when cooking beef products) that I render from brisket trimmings.

Here’s a pork medley. Pork belly burnt ends, pork butt, and some spare ribs…this is where the brown sugar goes

View attachment 371022

I can smell that from here!

 

[Pronation]

No offset smoker?

 

[dtrack22]

No offset smoker?

It’s around the corner. Sometimes you got too much else going on to tend to a fire box

 

[DYK343]

Don’t ruin beef ribs with brown sugar. And no need for red pepper flakes, I put heat in the BBQ sauce I make but cayenne in the rub would do the trick and would be better from a bark formation standpoint. I like the duck fat idea, will try that on an upcoming cook! I normally just use beef tallow (when cooking beef products) that I render from brisket trimmings.

Here’s a pork medley. Pork belly burnt ends, pork butt, and some spare ribs…this is where the brown sugar goes

View attachment 371022

Yeah I dont add sugar to beef ribs. Thats pretty much 1 part lawrys/2 parts pepper. Duck fat wrap is where its at though. I still like some pepper flakes in my beef ribs but I like spice.

Cayenne adds little heat IME unless applied during the wrap. Even then minimal. It adds nice color but no heat.

For pork ribs I add a little sugar and red pepper flakes to get sweet heat. Sometimes I use honey instead. I usually dont use bbq sauce. I like them dry rubbed.

I have a semi-professional grade (3/8"steel - workhorse 1975) offset smoker. I also have an egg. The egg is pretty awesome but nothing beats a real offset. Its just committing a whole day to offset cook that prevents me from using it more.

Nice pull back on those ribs. I use a butter knife and push down between the ribs prior to wrap. Really makes the pull back pop when you break that ligament that holds them on the bone.

Im want to try goose fat wrap if I can find some.

 

[Pronation]

It’s around the corner. Sometimes you got too much else going on to tend to a fire box

Agree. Ain’t nobody got time for that. I added a smoke tube apparatus to my pellet smoker and that made a pretty noticeable difference.

 

[NatCh]

Can you buy duck fat by itself?

 

[DYK343]

Can you buy duck fat by itself?

yes its expensive. I buy rendered duck fat by the gallon off amazon.

I use it on veggies too. Or anything that needs oil. Its good stuff.

 

[air bud]

yes its expensive. I buy rendered duck fat by the gallon off amazon.

I use it on veggies too. Or anything that needs oil. Its good stuff.

I have nail nippers that could use a tune up and squeak when busting crumblies. Will duck fat work?

 

[Pronation]

I have nail nippers that could use a tune up and squeak when busting crumblies. Will duck fat work?

I save money by just scraping off the heavy layer of Vaseline that patients put on their toes just before seeing me and apply it to the squeaky nippers.

 

[MoostashPod]

How did we go from depressed and wanting to change careers to BBQ and duck fat? 😆

 

[dtrack22]

How did we go from depressed and wanting to change careers to BBQ and duck fat? 😆

We are trying to give the OP alternative career advice. Ditch podiatry and become a pit master

 

[air bud]

How did we go from depressed and wanting to change careers to BBQ and duck fat? 😆

Because we are SDN podiatry attendings and we can't have nice things.

 

[RollingstonePod]

Our ABFAS friend who was quick to address all of the ABFAS talking points (that later became a blog post about the case review process), assured us that this only happens because you are a crap surgeon who shouldn’t be doing foot and ankle surgery. Not because of the unreasonable documentation requirements or subjective nature of the case review process as it stands lol

He’s definitely NOT affiliated with ABFAS, but he’s already gone…his SDN presence was short lived…

 

[Drjc1977]

As I enter my PGY3 year I must say that podiatry was the worst choice I've ever made in my life. I am completing a grueling residency. The work is nonstop. I feel surgically competent in some areas and deficient in others. I have looked at jobs and have been in talks with some people and the offers are all below $150k. I have nearly $300,000 of student loans. I completed 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of podiatry school, and now I am finishing a 3 year residency. In total I have went 11 years beyond a standard high school education. All of the time and effort I have put into this career is not worth it. There are others who did not waste all of their "prime" years of their life and their 20's to a profession with no reward. I am called a doctor, but I cut toenails.

This post is not a troll. This post is a cry for help. At what point is this just the sunk cost fallacy? What can I actually do with my life now that I have a degree that will never payback my loans? Cost of living is outrageous right now even in rural areas.

In my early years of veterinary practice, I thought I had made a major error in a career choice. I was doing a lot of dirt work in what I considered non medical cases. However, after several years of practice, I had developed my own clientele and was practicing the kind of medicine I had always dreamed of. My salary was steadily increasing, my client base was growing, and my student loan balance was decreasing. The point being, many new doctors, myself included, expect to graduate from a medical curriculum and and instantly have a great salary and superior work conditions. Unfortunately this does not happen overnight. I suppose years down the road you may come to the conclusion that podiatry is not right for you, but give it a chance. Remember why you wanted to study podiatric medicine and have patience. Your first position will not be your last position. Your current salary will not be the final salary. I wish you well my friend.

 

[air bud]

In my early years of veterinary practice, I thought I had made a major error in a career choice. I was doing a lot of dirt work in what I considered non medical cases. However, after several years of practice, I had developed my own clientele and was practicing the kind of medicine I had always dreamed of. My salary was steadily increasing, my client base was growing, and my student loan balance was decreasing. The point being, many new doctors, myself included, expect to graduate from a medical curriculum and and instantly have a great salary and superior work conditions. Unfortunately this does not happen overnight. I suppose years down the road you may come to the conclusion that podiatry is not right for you, but give it a chance. Remember why you wanted to study podiatric medicine and have patience. Your first position will not be your last position. Your current salary will not be the final salary. I wish you well my friend.

Not sure you realize how podiatry works....why don't you sit this one out champ.....sad trumpet noise.

 

[JustAPedicurist]

Not sure you realize how podiatry works....why don't you sit this one out champ.....sad trumpet noise.

He cuts nails too (possibly)

 

[BubbaWub]

He cuts nails too (possibly)

He's one of us!

 

[icebreaker32]

He cuts nails too (possibly)

Canine farrier……but assistants mostly do it I bet

Human toenails require a 3 year residency and possibly a fellowship

 

[air bud]

He cuts nails too (possibly)

I am a human farrier™️!

 

[JustAPedicurist]

He's one of us!

 

[newfeet]

In my early years of veterinary practice, I thought I had made a major error in a career choice. I was doing a lot of dirt work in what I considered non medical cases. However, after several years of practice, I had developed my own clientele and was practicing the kind of medicine I had always dreamed of. My salary was steadily increasing, my client base was growing, and my student loan balance was decreasing. The point being, many new doctors, myself included, expect to graduate from a medical curriculum and and instantly have a great salary and superior work conditions. Unfortunately this does not happen overnight. I suppose years down the road you may come to the conclusion that podiatry is not right for you, but give it a chance. Remember why you wanted to study podiatric medicine and have patience. Your first position will not be your last position. Your current salary will not be the final salary. I wish you well my friend.

I can only speak for myself but I settled for podiatric medicine. And every morning when I wake up I make a decision to settle for it again. And I do the same thing at night.

 

[Pronation]

I can only speak for myself but I settled for podiatric medicine. And every morning when I wake up I make a decision to settle for it again. And I do the same thing at night.

Not me, I knew I wanted to suck on toes all my life.

 

[Adam Smasher]

I can only speak for myself but I settled for podiatric medicine. And every morning when I wake up I make a decision to settle for it again. And I do the same thing at night.

Remember, you are not your job

 

[GreenGreen]

As I enter my PGY3 year I must say that podiatry was the worst choice I've ever made in my life. I am completing a grueling residency. The work is nonstop. I feel surgically competent in some areas and deficient in others. I have looked at jobs and have been in talks with some people and the offers are all below $150k. I have nearly $300,000 of student loans. I completed 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of podiatry school, and now I am finishing a 3 year residency. In total I have went 11 years beyond a standard high school education. All of the time and effort I have put into this career is not worth it. There are others who did not waste all of their "prime" years of their life and their 20's to a profession with no reward. I am called a doctor, but I cut toenails.

This post is not a troll. This post is a cry for help. At what point is this just the sunk cost fallacy? What can I actually do with my life now that I have a degree that will never payback my loans? Cost of living is outrageous right now even in rural areas.

I think I understand where you're coming from. I agree that for most people, podiatry may not provide a good return on investment.

However, I'd like to suggest a change in your mindset. It's easy to let stress and other factors overshadow your happiness, leading to discouragement. Instead, try to find positivity in your day-to-day experiences (toenails and all).

By treating your patients with kindness and maintaining a positive outlook, you'll attract more opportunities and patients. Success will come your way, but it requires patience.

If you genuinely dislike everything about podiatry and find it impossible to change your mindset, nursing school/BSN would likely be the easiest course change with a relatively decent ROI.

Remember, your happiness and fulfillment matter. Take the time to assess your situation and make the decision that aligns with your passion and goals. Regardless of the path you choose, I believe in your ability to persevere and find success.

 

[newfeet]

Remember, you are not your job

100%. Yesterday my wife and I helped our kids put together a horrible science poster on my birthday. Today is the science fair so we have to go to that after work.

 

[Boba Foot]

100%. Yesterday my wife and I helped our kids put together a horrible science poster on my birthday. Today is the science fair so we have to go to that after work.

A case study poster on total toenail replacement?

 

[air bud]

100%. Yesterday my wife and I helped our kids put together a horrible science poster on my birthday. Today is the science fair so we have to go to that after work.

Well we already know you suck at science so not surprised the poster was terrible.

 

[newfeet]

A case study poster on total toenail replacement?

No how soap affects milk and other liquids. We used water, milk, almond milk and oil. Added food coloring. The soap caused movement of color in the milk and almond milk. But not oil and water. Basically you need water and fat for the soap to cause movement. I didn't pick it.

Well we already know you suck at science so not surprised the poster was terrible.

True!

 

[Pronation]

No how soap affects milk and other liquids. We used water, milk, almond milk and oil. Added food coloring. The soap caused movement of color in the milk and almond milk. But not oil and water. Basically you need water and fat for the soap to cause movement. I didn't pick it.

True!

Is this a study for foot baths prior to total toenail replacement surgery?

 

[Adam Smasher]

No how soap affects milk and other liquids. We used water, milk, almond milk and oil. Added food coloring. The soap caused movement of color in the milk and almond milk. But not oil and water. Basically you need water and fat for the soap to cause movement. I didn't pick it.

Should have used duck fat. I learned here that everything is better with duck fat.

 

[Drjc1977]

I can only speak for myself but I settled for podiatric medicine. And every morning when I wake up I make a decision to settle for it again. And I do the same thing at night.

What do you mean by settled

 

[shadesofgrey]

What do you mean by settled

Let me tell you a secret. There are no smart podiatrists. Why? because if they had the grades and test scores they would have gone DO/MD. If the podiatrist had the grades and test scores but still went for DPM, well that kind of speaks for itself.

Seriously though, most pods would have preferred to go MD/DO but settled for DPM due to grades, length of training, MCAT, etc. This has resulted in a massive inferiority complex for the profession.

 

[Jummy Biffett]

Let me tell you a secret. There are no smart podiatrists. Why? because if they had the grades and test scores they would have gone DO/MD. If the podiatrist had the grades and test scores but still went for DPM, well that kind of speaks for itself.

Seriously though, most pods would have preferred to go MD/DO but settled for DPM due to grades, length of training, MCAT, etc. This has resulted in a massive inferiority complex for the profession.

Nailed it (no pun intended). This is exactly what I want to say everyday when patients ask 'so why did you decide to become a podiatrist?'...can't say the quiet part out loud though

 

[Pronation]

What do you mean by settled

You know how when you take a poo and the turd settles to the bottom of the crapper?

 

[air bud]

Let me tell you a secret. There are no smart podiatrists. Why? because if they had the grades and test scores they would have gone DO/MD. If the podiatrist had the grades and test scores but still went for DPM, well that kind of speaks for itself.

Seriously though, most pods would have preferred to go MD/DO but settled for DPM due to grades, length of training, MCAT, etc. This has resulted in a massive inferiority complex for the profession.

I mean that's being a little harsh. There is plenty of smart podiatrists who just made a few mistakes along the way and the way the numbers work couldn't recover from those. And there's plenty of people who had good but not great MCAT and what's that really testing. I had a 28-imcat and while not amazing it's not in 19. I had a 3.7 science GPA the problem is it got averaged in with all the stuff I did during undergrad and so my total GPA was less than a 3.25 and every computer system would spit it out. Plenty of people like myself. That being said, yes I settled for Podiatry. Should have done DO and see where chips fell instead of being fixated on wanting surgery. Or should have taken time to get stats up and do MD.

 

[newfeet]

What do you mean by settled

It wasn't my top choice. I did not get into medical school. Podiatry was there I applied and I got in. And I continue to work in podiatry to pay my bills and care for my kids. If I had no kids I would be done and trying something new.

Nailed it (no pun intended). This is exactly what I want to say everyday when patients ask 'so why did you decide to become a podiatrist?'...can't say the quiet part out loud though

I get that question all the time. I usually tell a version of the truth. I applied because I have family with diabetes and I want to prevent what happened to one of my family members who lost their foot.

Let me tell you a secret. There are no smart podiatrists. Why? because if they had the grades and test scores they would have gone DO/MD. If the podiatrist had the grades and test scores but still went for DPM, well that kind of speaks for itself.

Seriously though, most pods would have preferred to go MD/DO but settled for DPM due to grades, length of training, MCAT, etc. This has resulted in a massive inferiority complex for the profession.

Yup.

 

[air bud]

It wasn't my top choice. I did not get into medical school. Podiatry was there I applied and I got in. And I continue to work in podiatry to pay my bills and care for my kids. If I had no kids I would be done and trying something new.

I get that question all the time. I usually tell a version of the truth. I applied because I have family with diabetes and I want to prevent what happened to one of my family members who lost their foot.

Yup.

I say it's complicated....but like most doctors you meet a mentor along the way that guides you and you develop an interest in things. That is a version of what I say. You think the urologist grew up wanting to look at Dyks all day?

 

[Pronation]

Nailed it (no pun intended). This is exactly what I want to say everyday when patients ask 'so why did you decide to become a podiatrist?'...can't say the quiet part out loud though

I get this question at least once daily. Why feet. I usually just lick my lips and say I’m really into feet. Usually these questions come from patients with toenail complaints or some nonsense issue like “sometimes my feet tickle me so I’m just here to get them checked out… oh also clip my nails because my gut gets in the way when I try to do it”

Do you think proctologists get the same question? Do you think patients schedule an appointment with their proctologist because they can’t reach their arse to wipe?