Is podiatry a good/rewarding career?

Should I become a doctor at 31 years old? (UK)?

• I wasted alot of time when I was younger, so I'm now 30 and I will complete my 3 year degree in Podiatry next year 2013 (UK - not a doctor but health care professional) and this can be used as a qualification to apply to Medical school. Doing medicine has been a dream of mine, I believe I have the mental aptitude as I am online for a first, the reason I did Podiatry was because it was medically related. I love helping people and although it can be fulfilling scraping corns and calluses from Old Grannies feet, my heart is set on becoming a doctor. But have many doubts whether I should do or not for the following reasons: -People on my course think it is strange that when I complete a 3 year degree I want to go straight into full time education. -I will be 31 next year and so I could take the 4 year graduate entry or standard 5 so I will either be 35 or 36 when completing Med school. Then there will be 2 years as a junior doctor, so I will be 37 or 38 before then. I mean, how long am I going to wait before I start full time working? -I am married and I have 3 step daughters, 20, 17 and 14 and I have an 18 month old son. I've been working nights as a security guard when I can and do my best for the family whilst I am studying, but cant work properly full time. My wife is a driving instructor and she does really well, and shes always provided most for the house. I feel guilty that at this age I should have reached my potential and worked full time, set a good example to my step daughters and provided fully for my wife and my son. My wife has been telling me she would love to be a house wife. But she said said she will fully support me if I want to do medicine. I just think to myself, I want to do medicine, but am I wasting my time, should I just try to further my career in podiatry? Or follow my dream? Or am I too old now..?

• Answer:

  At 34 I went hack to school, after the Army and working in the oil fields. I too chose a medical specialty. At the time I had 3 young boys and a supportive partner, so personally I do not think you are to old at 31. It's a hard go but worth it in the end, Perhaps a more relevant story to your situation is a Man who I served with in the military left, spent 8 years as a welder and realized he wanted more from life and completed Med school. He is now a successful GP and realized his dream. With the right support it is never to late (well maybe 60 is too late but who am I to say). The example you set is one that it is never wrong to set goals and follow them no matter the stage in life you are at. Best of Luck