by Farlsborough » Jun 1st, '07, 00:03
Hi Danimal,
I feel that for once I might be one of the best people to answer your question on this forum (at last!).
Could I ask what country you're from, and what stage you are at in your training? As you say you are currently a medical student, I presume you're talking about FY1 applications but I didn't think you did interviews, what with the current state of MTAS (*cough*b*ll*cks*cough*) applications... or, maybe you're not from the UK and aren't involved in our application and careers system, in which case, lucky you!
I would agree with the consensus of not showing a trick. The people interviewing you for these things tend to be "old boys" and might see messing around with cards in your interview as a waste of time or disrespectful and nothing to do with it. But if you are really into magic, it's highly worth mentioning I would think, and making any of the following points:
1) Like any hobby, it shows you are a 3D person with a life outside medicine, and that you have a form of active relaxation to balance the hectic life style.
2) It shows you are a good communicator and can get on with a wide range of people, young and old, and of whatever background. You have had to work with people and be sensitive to cultural issues etc, whilst also guiding them and in a sense "leading" them.
3) If you're applying for surgical training, hey - physical dexterity! Being happy to repeat something and practice again and again, and enjoying that challenge.
4) Being both a perfectionist, in terms of no one being impressed with a rubbish magician (you can't "half" do a trick - it's good enough to deceive or it's not), so you're happy to hone things and be self critical until you have perfected something, BUT at the same time the unexpected factor introduced by performing magic for strangers means you are flexible/versatile/innovative/used to pressure/think fast/resourceful etc etc.
I think there are a hundred skills that magic uses that are transferable to a medical career, put some on paper and read over them so you have them clear in your mind before you go in.
It *may* be worth taking something like an ID in, just incase you have some utter git who says "well if you're a magician, surely you can show us something?" trying to grind you down a bit. If so, you could make it clear that you hadn't brought something with the intention of performing, but on the off-chance that they would insist (don't bring this up if they don't!). But only if you are absolutely sure that it will fool them, and that you are not going to mess it up! Chances are they won't even ask anyway.
It is a risk though - if you've just told them how being a magician will make you into a good doctor, letting them see that you're a cr*p magician will instantly translate in their minds to being a cr*p doctor, so it's a huge risk - one I don't think i'd personally take.
Finally, unless you're applying for something to do with psychiatry and they seem particularly new-age in their thinking, do NOT start talking about psychological techniques/powers of suggestion because most old boy consultants will be incredibly cynical and negative about that sort of thing. They will probably be the sorts of people to scoff at recognised therapeutic psychology, if you hint and any kind of mumbo-jumbo you are going to plummet in their estimations.
Hope that helps and good luck!
