So, you do not want to be a Podiatrist anymore. Maybe you were a casualty of COVID. Maybe you tried making it in Podiatry and failed. Maybe you just got sick of Podiatry and want to try your hand at another profession. But what can you do with DPM degree if you have no interest in going back to school? Well the good news is the Podiatry degree does command some power and does open up some other opportunities for you if you not longer want to be a Podiatrist. Remember, during the course of achieving your DPM degree, you learned vast amounts of knowledge of multiple health oriented subjects: Pharmcology, Anatomy, Biochemistry. Remember, even though you no longer want to be a Podiatrist there are still plenty of options out there for you.
1. Pharmaceutical Sales Rep- As a Podiatrist you have achieved all the knowledge one needs to be a Pharmaceutical or Medical Device sales Rep. You know the biochemistry, the anatomy, the reasoning behind most drug uses or medical device uses. Want to Rep for a Total Knee Device you can do that. Want to be a Pharmaceutical Rep for a Diabetes degree? Guess what, your DPM degree indicates you are knowledge about the subject matter necessary to work in that industry.
2. Medical or Nursing Home Administration- Again Hospital or Medical Staff administration. You have a vast array of knowledge in the health care field. You know the chronic problems that patients suffer from and the correct treatment management strategies for treating them. You are rightfully positioned to help and lead most organizations that focus on healthcare.
3. College Professor- Listen, the DPM does confer on you the title of the doctor and this makes you extremely qualified to teach at most colleges in many areas of study. Anatomy professor at a community college? Or instructing Medical assistant classes – you are qualified to perform these duties. Now are you going to be a Biology professor at four year school? No. But you can teach Anatomy and Physiology at Community Colleges or Vocational Schools. You are eminently qualified for that.
4. A job in the Biomechanics field- Whether it be orthotics design or engineering of sneakers, your DPM degree gives you the qualifications to work in any field where marketing to the Lower Extremity is valued. Those orthotics for Dr. Scholls and Powerstep; someone designed them. A lot of times that someone is a person with a DPM degree. Give it a shot.
5. Really Anything you set your mind to. Listen, you just achieved an advance degree that only 500 people in the United States achieved in a given year. That makes you qualified. It shows drive to accomplish most anything. Do not be afraid to brave out on your own and chart your own course. You have a DPM degree. You can try most anything.