Tests abound for helping medical students select specialties that match their interests and personalities. And as for established physicians, have you ever wondered if you chose the right specialty? For the sake of keeping things interesting, let’s get a little weird. What does the highly scientific field of astrology have to say about specialty choice? Specifically, what zodiac signs are best suited for each specialty? For laughs, we did a little digging and identified personality traits that are allegedly common for each sign, and then compared those to these common values among specialists as identified by The Student Doctor Network. Aries: March 21-April 19 Aires is the ram. The ancients thought of Aries as a highly competitive trailblazer. The ram charges forth into multiple projects, and they won’t be satisfied until they have completed them to their own high (sometimes perfectionist) standards. Aires tends to be blunt in their communication style, esoteric experts say. While they might not pull punches, at least they’re being honest. And don’t cross an Aries. They’re known for their short fuses. According to The Student Doctor Network, emergency medicine physicians thrive off the variety of their work. Aires, who enjoys multiple projects, will take to this naturally. Blunt, direct communication is useful in emergency medicine, where every second counts. As long as Aires can keep their short fuse from burning out, they will thrive in EM. Taurus: April 20-May 20 Taurus, the bull, likes to keep things drama-free. A Taurus wants healthy relationships. As a result, he or she has an uncanny ability to entertain different points of view. They won’t necessarily flip-flop their position to appease anyone, but they usually try to understand. No surprise here: The bull works hard. They’re also highly physical, valuing exercise and other bodily experiences. Taurus’ physicality might make orthopedic surgery a good speciality. As the leader in the OR, Taurus’ ability to maintain healthy relationships will serve them well. Orthopedic surgery is evolving, incorporating new devices and robotics, and Taurus’ open-mindedness will help him or her stay current while making the best decisions for patients. Gemini: May 21-June 20 Gemini, depicted as the twins Castor and Pollux, is the social chameleon. He or she blends in effortlessly in different social settings. Gemini navigates their social life with unparalleled emotional intelligence. Most Geminis are grounded, present, motivated, and highly imaginative. Highly social Gemini would do well with a specialty that leaves room for socialization. Dermatology, according to The Student Doctor Network, affords more scheduling flexibility and sometimes time off than other specialties. Gemini will also appreciate the high volume of people from all walks of life coming into their practice. People also tend to be emotional about the state of their skin and Gemini’s empathy and emotional intelligence will prove useful here. Cancer: June 21-July 22 Cancer, the crab, tends to be standoffish at first. But beneath that shell is a warm heart. If you befriend a Cancer, you have a friend for life. Cancers tend to have rich inner, emotional and intellectual lives. They prefer interacting in small groups, valuing depth over breadth in their relationships. Cancer can be intuitive to the point of seeming mystical. As a result, they sometimes need creative and spiritual outlets. Cancer’s warm heart and rich inner emotional and intellectual lives might make the crab well suited for psychiatry. Cancer can cultivate powerful relationships with their patients, helping them navigate some of life’s greatest challenges. Cancer’s intuition will also serve her or him well as they navigate the complexities of mental health. Leo: July 23-August 22 Leo, the lion, is well, quite lion-like. They tend to be courageous, strong, have high self-esteem, and have good leadership potential. Like Gemini, Leo is highly social. The key difference is that Leo isn’t doing any blending in. He or she is social on their own terms. Leo has leadership potential and could take charge in any specialty. Hospitals and health care organizations could benefit from a Leo’s leadership as a CMO. Internal Medicine might be a good place for Leos to gain exposure to a variety of patients and clinical needs. They can learn the ropes of their healthcare organization and continue to prove themselves as having leadership potential, climbing through the ranks. Virgo: August 23-September 22 Virgo, the maiden, is another friend you’ll want in your corner. Virgos tend to be invaluable sources of support. They also have the added ability of seeing the big picture, making them expert planners. Like Cancers, Virgos have a rich inner life of deep thoughts and emotions. You’ll have to earn a Virgo’s trust. And be warned, they have extremely high standards for themselves and, consequently, others. Virgo’s blend of high standards and staunch support might make Obstetrics a wonderful specialty for those with the sign. Parents-to-be will be assured by Virgo’s meticulous planning and emotional support during a highly emotional time. Virgo’s ability to keep the big picture in mind will go far in allaying patient anxiety. Libra: September 23-October 22 If Libra values anything, it’s harmony. It’s no wonder that the symbol of the Libra is the scale. Libras tend to be natural peacemakers, seeking balance in all things. However, they often do so at their own expense. Like a Taurus, Libra can see all points of view, making them tremendous mediators. Libras also tend to have vivid imaginations, making them great planners. But what they have in planning ability, they often lack in the ability to follow through. Libra’s proclivity to seek harmony might make it well-suited for Neurology, according to the Student Doctor Network. Neurologists often work closely with other specialists, such as psychiatrists, to untangle problems with the central nervous system. The complexity of the CNS often requires a delicate touch when treating neurological disease. Libra’s natural restraint will serve them well here. Scorpio: October 23-November 21 Scorpio, the scorpion, is fiercely independent. They’re going their own way, and if you try to stop them, you’re going to get stung. A Scorpio will not back down from a debate or controversy. And don’t try to B.S. a Scorpio. They’ll see right through it. Like a Cancer, Scorpios appear to be tough, but under that hard shell are some swirling emotional depths. They’re also highly empathetic and can read a room. A Scorpio will be either your most loyal friend or worst enemy. A good speciality fit for the Scorpio might be pathology. According to The Student Doctor Network, Pathologists tend to prize their independence and decision making. The autopsy and lab data don’t lie, so cantankerous Scorpios won’t likely be rankled by the politics (aka B.S.) of working as a physician in a hospital setting. Sagittarius: November 22-December 21 Sagittarius, the archer, is another strong-willed individualist, willing to deviate from the path. Sagittarius’ trailblazing qualities make them natural leaders. They are unafraid to go after what they want, making Sagittarius a born adventurer. A Sagittarius also pulls no punches. You might think they lack empathy, but that isn’t the case. They simply place a high value on the truth. According to The Student Doctor Network, Ophthalmology might be a good fit for Sagittarius. Ophthalmologists retain a great deal of independence, with many practicing privately. Private practice will also give Sagittarius the opportunity to go on the adventure of running a small business, and go through the evolution of becoming a leader in practice. Capricorn: December 22-January 19 Capricorn, the ram, knows what it wants. And a Capricorn will get it, doing what it takes to achieve the goal without making a single excuse along the way. Just as a Capricorn knows what it wants for itself, it also knows what it wants from others. Capricorn is a born rule-follower who thrives on order. Their focus on the outer, rule-bound world often comes at the expense of the inner world, however. Capricorn’s goal-oriented nature makes him or her well-suited for specializing in infectious disease. As rule-followers who thrive on order, Capricorn can help create the best practices that contain and treat communicable diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, or thwart alarming trends, such as antimicrobial existence. Aquarius: January 20-February 18 Aquarius, the water bearer, is a highly individualized sign. Sometimes it seems like no two are alike. Like water, Aquarius is a flowing personality, libel to change and hard to contain. If there’s a commonality among those born under the sign of Aquarius, it’s that they have a high level of concern for others and for justice. Aquarius’ concern for others and dynamic personality might make him or her well-suited for Pediatrics. Children may respond well to animated Aquarius, and doctors born under this sign will have a high-degree of concern for their patients, who in childhood are going through one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives. The Student Doctor Network adds that Pediatricians tend to get a fair amount of time off, which will prove useful when life and passion lead Aquarius in a different direction. Pisces: February 19-March 20 If you know a Pisces, then you know their gut is almost never wrong. They are highly intuitive, but are still in touch with the power of logic. A Pisces will seldom steer you wrong. They navigate life with a finely calibrated moral compass. A Pisces thrives in small groups, and they tend to have rich internal and external lives. Pisces might thrive in family medicine, where physicians need to navigate not just individual patient dynamics, but the family as a whole. Pisces’ intuition will serve him or her well here as the family dynamic isn’t always clear in clinical setting. And so will the fish’s finely calibrated moral compass. Family medicine often requires a degree of patient advocacy. Source
