question for med students or practitioners

[Bill McBlueState]

Today my daughter's pediatrician asked what I do, and I told her I'm a postdoc. Like most people, she didn't seem to understand what a postdoc is.

But don't medical people have something like postdocs? What are you if you just got your MD, and you spend a few years working as sort of an apprentice to more experienced doctors? Is that a residency?

[backtoblue]

1. if you have your MD

wouldn't that make you a doctor?

I am an embalmer, so technically can I be called a "postdoc", too?
:hi:

[Bill McBlueState]

2. I'd say so

And since I have my PhD, I'm an astronomer. Maybe I should just tell people I'm an astronomer and stop using the word "postdoc" in polite company.

[backtoblue]

3. A polite synonym for astronomer

If you are afraid of saying Astronomer, maybe you can say you're a Scientist. Or, you're in the "field of science".

I have to be careful how I describe my profession. Sometimes I will say mortician, funeral director, embalmer, but it depends who I am speaking with.

[Deep13]

4. I guess those terms are better than saying...

You snuff 'em, we stuff 'em.

[backtoblue]

5. Although here in the lounge

I could probably get away with that. :P

[DeepBlueC]

7. Astronomer really contains more information

AS a postdoc you could be in almost any field...astronomer is a better answer.

[tigereye]

8. postdoc- cheap labor...

:D That's what friends imply, anyway.

[MountainLaurel]

6. That would be considered residents or fellows

In the non-clinical, research areas are where you find postdoc students.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

9. I would say (if I were you) that I am an Astronomer.

Postdoc has a different connotation to it.

[Kali]

10. yer a post doc?

I need some corners and h-braces reset, can you fix 'em? hahahahahhahahahahah (sorry, lame ranching humor):hide: