Interesting commencement speech on graduates

[Phanuthier]

Excerpt from a commencement speech by Atul Gawande to the graduates of Stanford school of medicine: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blog...rd-speech.html

Many of you have worked for four solid years—or five, or six, or nine—and we are here to declare that, as of today, you officially know enough stuff to be called a graduate of the Stanford School of Medicine. You are Doctors of Medicine, Doctors of Philosophy, Masters of Science. It’s been certified. Each of you is now an expert. Congratulations.

So why—in your heart of hearts—do you not quite feel that way?

Since I graduated from medical school, my family and friends have had their share of medical issues, just as you and your family will. And, inevitably, they turn to the medical graduate in the house for advice and explanation.

I remember one time when a friend came with a question. “You’re a doctor now,” he said. “So tell me: where exactly is the solar plexus?”

I was stumped. The information was not anywhere in the textbooks.

“I don’t know,” I finally confessed.

“What kind of doctor are you?” he said.

Thought that was interesting. The first go around, I felt a little overwhelmed and felt like I got nothing out of 4 years and however much tuition was, but coming out of graduate school I was a little more prepare and knew industry speaks a different language then university and I just have to take it in stride and trust myself. After getting my undergrad degree, I felt overwhelmed and empty and never felt so lost in my life. But after picking the pieces of myself up and putting myself back together, this go-around I've been able to re-focus and I feel a lot more mentally prepared for post-university world.

Thoughts?

[surferguy]

nm