The Neurosurgeon  

Duties and Responsibilities: A neurosurgeon is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system. They treat patients with complex disorders of the nervous system. Some of these disorders are strokes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, headache disorders, infections of the brain and peripheral nervous system.  

Salary: A neurosurgeons earns an average salary of $384,576 per year. For the first five to ten years in this position, salary increases sharply, but any additional experience does not have a big effect on pay. Location of work also affects the amount that they get paid. 

Education: In order to become a neurosurgeon you must complete four years of pre-medical education at a college or university. Following that must be four years of medical school resulting in an M.D. or D.O. degree. Then a one year  internship in general surgery. They must also complete five to seven years in a neurosurgery residency program. Some neurosurgeons complete a fellowship after residency to specialize in a particular area.   

Demand or need for this Profession: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that demand for physicians and surgeons is expected to grow 24 percent between 2010 and 2020. The number of neurosurgeons in the United States grew by 26 percent between 2005 and 2009. 

  

Reflection: Do you think you would like to be one? Why? Why not? 

I would not like to be this. This career does not interest me. The reason why it might not interest me is because it is on the brain. It seems very difficult to understand and learn. I'd rather be in something that does catch my attention. This takes many years to learn and master but it is a good paying job so that's good for the people that it does interest.