Cardiologist

Duties and Responsibilities: Cardiologists routinely receive referrals from other physicians who would like confirmation that a patient has a cardiovascular condition or who would like advice on how to best treat the patient. Cardiologists are also called for assistance in hospital settings when a patient has a heart attack, serious arrhythmia or heart failure. As they are seldom the first physicians to see a patient, cardiologists must quickly review the patient's medical history and ask questions regarding symptoms.

Salary: $373,500 to $532,000.

Education: First, an aspiring cardiologist must have a bachelor's degree in order to get into medical school. The most logical pre-med bachelor degrees include courses in chemistry, mathematics, engineering or psychology. Then one must gain a passing score on the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). The four years in medical school covers standard medical terminology, medical judgment and clinical standard procedures. Potential cardiologists who complete the ten years of educational preparation must then pass a certification exam administered by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Reflection: I don’t plan on becoming one because I’m not too good at talking to people.