Pursuing a career in the health industry can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience that is also challenging. One of the most significant benefits of studying for a health-related career is the opportunity to help others. Having the chance to improve people’s quality of life, treat illnesses, and save lives makes it worthwhile. Health For Mzansi spoke to a few students studying health-related careers, each with its own challenges and rewards.
Relebohile Baleni is currently studying to become a dentist. Photo: Supplied/ Health For Mzansi
Fixing people’s smiles
Relebohile Baleni from the Free State, who is currently studying to be a dentist at Wits University, explains that dentistry is quite an overwhelming but very fulfilling course. She says it is amazing for her to be able to improve someone’s quality of life by simply fixing their smile.
Baleni adds that she is looking forward to raising awareness of the importance of oral health and related diseases and the consequences thereof.
“I am studying to be a dentist. I’ve always loved science and human anatomy. A smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. You use your teeth to speak, eat, and function. I want to help people boost their self-esteem and confidence by fixing or improving their smiles. Hopefully, in due time, more awareness will be raised about the importance of oral healthcare and a subsequent increase in resources and access.”
Nursing hands
Studying nursing at Nelson Mandela University, Afikile Noguda from the Eastern Cape states that his main goal is to become a doctor through this career, adding to the number of those able to help people.
“I am currently doing nursing; I chose it because it is in demand, and as a person who grew up in rural areas, I saw people struggling to get good health care.
“The career has its advantages and disadvantages. It is a challenging career, but it is also worth it. It requires a lot of work and many shifts, and many nurses feel overworked but get paid less money.”
Choosing the natural route
Lindokuhle Tshulma, from Johannesburg, who is currently studying homoeopathy at the University of Johannesburg, highlights that she has always treated herself through home remedies and has always wondered if there is something in the health field related to treating people naturally without using harsh chemicals.
“I got inspired by how my grandmother got healed after trying different doctors and only got healed after she tried a homoeopath. I then knew I wanted to become this miracle doctor and started doing research, and I actually realized it correlated with my interest because I’ve always treated myself naturally.
“Getting that one person to try homoeopathy and be satisfied enough to spread the word may be challenging. This career also requires me to open my practice after completion, and staying afloat for the first few months may be difficult.”
Helping to combat mental health issues
Currently studying at the University of the Free State to become a clinical psychologist, Keitumetse Monaledi from Pretoria defines her experience as a pleasant one so far because she is passionate about the career, making her learning experience very exciting.
“I am studying towards being a clinical psychologist, and the socioeconomic factors that contribute to our country’s decline in mental health are what led me to pursue this career. I would love to work in hospitals to further assist in combatting mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
“One of the biggest issues facing my career choice is how narrow and almost unattainable a master’s degree in psychology is. To address these issues, I can only hope that the South African government takes the necessary steps and measures to create a bigger budget for mental health care.”
Eradicating stigma
Also studying to become a clinical psychologist or a neuropsychologist at the University of the Free State, Reabetwe Seboga from Pretoria says that even though the journey has been stressful, she loves helping people and believes it will be worth it in the end.
“I want to have a PhD in psychology and get to help people overcome their challenges and traumas, and I’m more than happy to assist in helping them be the person they want to become.
“I would like to focus on the stigma around therapy and people judging men who want to go to therapy or see a professional. They end up holding it in and not seeking help, resulting in high rates of suicide. It should stop so men and women don’t shy away from asking for help and knowing that there are people who can assist them to get better.”
Working with medical technology
Kgothatso Mabelane from Mpumalanga, who is pursuing a career to become a diagnostic radiographer at Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, says his career choice involves personal interest, a desire to help others, and an interest in technology and medical imaging.
“My academic experience has been amazing so far, but sometimes it is complex to juggle both academics and practicals at the same time. Radiographers play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating patients by producing high-quality medical images using X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other imaging modalities.
“Even though future challenges in a radiography career may include staying updated with rapidly evolving imaging technology, maintaining patient safety, and dealing with stressful situations, my main goal is to provide accurate and timely diagnostic images that assist in patient care.”
Cancer is his calling
A fourth-year bachelor of medicine and surgery student at the University of Free State, Ikayeng Manganye from North West, says he wants to specialise in oncology, and the decision comes from his passion for the field.
“I would like to focus on oncology because many patients demise due to a lack of oncologists in the country and long waiting lists, especially in the public sector. Although there may be challenges of lack of emotional support, lack of equipment and morale in hospitals, and lack of funding, every degree has its highs and lows, but for me, the highs outweigh the lows; it’s been very fulfilling and also very humbling.”
These students are working hard to help to improve Mzansi’s health sector, and we salute them.
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