WELCOME 2: TWENTITY.COM ~ The Home for Twentysomethings

Stepping Up The Game - 8-15-07

“We must be the change that we wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Name: Dr. Karen Fields

Age: 25

Occupation: Doctor of Dental Surgery

Did you go to college? Yes, Spelman College

What did you study? Biology Pre-Med

Where do you work? Yale New Haven Hospital

Where are you from? Detroit , Michigan but currently living in New Haven, Connecticut

Why did you pick this career?
I love teeth, I love the process behind their creation, how they allow us to function as humans and how they are the interpreters of happiness. Plus I wanted to be a doctor.

What are your future plans for your career?
To own my own practice, and establish an urban health care facility within my hometown.

How did you get involved in this career?
The advisors at my school and talking to well known Black doctors in the Atlanta area.

How did you prepare yourself for this career?
I managed to prepare myself for this career first by prayer and staying focused. I knew that this was something that I wanted to do and I knew that I wanted to be good at it, therefore I prayed for what I wanted. Secondly, I made studying my friend, and companion. I studied to the point where I could see molecules (when studying chemistry for instance) in the architecture of a building or in my food. (LOL as I think back) Lastly, I sought help when I needed it.

And if you just happened to land in this career what made you stay?
The idea of making my children and everyone else around me proud.

What are the downsides to this profession?
The sacrifice, many times you have to put the health and well being of others in front of your own due to the time in which you give the patients and book work involved.

What is a typical workday for you?
Typically I see patients from 9am to about 5pm and if I am "on call" I tend to that call.

How might this job be a stepping stone to other professions?
It is truly a good stepping stone into the realm of starting your own business, because a practice is a small business, whereby you are the boss.

What is the single-most important piece of advice you can offer a person pursuing this career? Keep praying and continue to practice your trade.

What steps do you recommend to someone who is planning to pursue this career?
Visit the hospital, visit practices, spend a day in an anatomy lab with medical/dental students, ask them what a typical day would consist of, and surround yourself with people that have goals, dreams and aspirations similar to yours. Never give up, never lose sight, and remember that sand has to be placed under pressure before a diamond is created, never be afraid to be sand.

What professional or community volunteer organizations are you currently a member of? Currently none, but I plan to in the next year :o)

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