Here’s more insight from Dr. Viroshini Hari Krishnan, Medical Director at AXA Singapore:
Be bold to ask to be paid what you’re worth “There’s nothing wrong in asking for a good salary based on your education and experience. The worst that could happen is you’ll be denied the pay you’re asking for or the job offer won’t be given to you,” says Dr Viroshini.
She encourages minority women not to let race and gender hinder them from asking for fair pay. As a minority and female, women are often overlooked when it comes to positions. Dr. Viroshini states that women have to create a space for themselves where they know they can excel because this space won’t be handed over to them on a platter!
As there is no national benchmarking or median salary in Malaysia, when doctors first move into the private sector, their pay will likely be adjusted to what they earned in government service which can be disappointing. Nevertheless, doctors are encouraged to be firm within reason when negotiating their salary. If that fails, doctors are advised to look at the pay they are receiving in this way – as being paid a tuition fee to learn from the industry as they start out in their new career! A novel idea indeed!
Falling into the trap of peer pressure vs. the precious commodity of time Doctors tend to work 12 and 16 hour shifts just to be able to cash in big cheques. They want to be able to drive the next big car or buy a big house. Being caught up with the materialistic expectations that come with being a doctor is a trap that many fall into. But if that life doesn’t include a work-life balance, all that is left is a slavish existence. “Time is the most precious commodity in life for people to do the things they love and to be with the people they love,” mused Dr. Viroshini.
Don’t have a fixed mindset about how you’ll get to your career destination If doctors think that medicine is all there is, they’ll be very disappointed to find out one day that they’re being pushed out of their careers. Dr. Viroshini cautions doctors about putting themselves into moulds and having a sense of finality about medicine. “The moment you have a mindset that things are impermanent and that as a person you will continue to evolve, then when life throws you a curve, you will be able to handle it,” she adds.
She also pointed out that there are various ways for a doctor to get to his/her career destination. She advises doctors not to be fastidious in the way they’ll reach their career goals as there are many ways to get there. Rather, Dr. Viroshini suggests that doctors engage in some in depth research and keep an open mind about reaching that goal.
A strong support network makes career pivoting easier Leaving clinical medicine to pivot to another field would require the support of one’s parents, spouse or significant other, and good friends. Blessed with parental support, Dr. Viroshini was able to make her career switch with peace of mind and confidence. “If you don’t have such support get a mentor,” says Dr. Viroshini, as a support network is crucial when making career-altering and life-altering decisions. Those who can afford life coaching should approach a life coach when in need of guidance, she says.
Dr. Viroshini is pleased that we have a Career Development Mentorship Program that connects doctors looking for guidance on career transitions with experienced mentors . She has signed up to offer her contribution as an mentor.
Dr. Viroshini urges doctors who have transitioned to other fields to approach their HR departments to ascertain the different types of training available to them and if a financial allocation is available for a mentor who’ll offer guidance. “It’s crucial to ask for help when help is needed,” she says.
Getting to know yourself under pressure in a different industry According to Dr. Viroshini, transitioning to the corporate world is not an easy move. “The first two years will be the most challenging. You’ll miss medicine, you’ll be looking for your footing, and you’ll be wondering what you’ve signed up for,” she says. Doctors will be consulted at odd hours of the day and will have little control of their time in the corporate world.
While it would be the most challenging time, it would also be the most illuminating as doctors learn about themselves and their threshold for different things. “You might be pleasantly surprised by the things you learn about yourself,” notes Dr. Viroshini with a smile.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the doctors DD has interviewed and are based entirely upon the information provided to us by them. DD is not responsible for any inaccuracy of the information conveyed to us.
