The human body is incredibly complex. There are trillions of cells, multiple organ systems, and a million things that can go wrong in every individual. Studying the human body is a process that requires tremendous discipline. This is why those who become doctors spend more time in school than almost any other profession.

Neurology is the study of the human nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves in the body. Physicians who pursue a career focused on neurology are incredibly important as the number of health concerns related to the nervous system is substantial.

If you are an aspiring physician or student who wants to work in a role involving neurology, then it is important to know what your options are. Here are a few of the career options that you can choose from in this field of medicine.

Neurologist

Perhaps the most well-known career path in this field is that of a neurologist. A neurologist is a medical doctor who focuses on diseases of the brain and nervous system. This type of medical professional is not a surgeon, so they are not responsible for doing procedures that would be part of a treatment plan for a patient. Instead, they are focused on identifying, diagnosing, and treating diseases affecting these components without surgery. If you are a recent high school graduate trying to decide between working, traveling, or pursuing higher education, know that the path of a neurologist involves 8 years of schooling and additional years afterward for interning and residency.

Neurosurgeon

When the neurologist decides that surgery is required to address a patient’s health concern, then a neurosurgeon comes into the picture. This is a person who operates on the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system. It is an incredibly high-stakes career, as patients will literally put their lives in your hands. People who suffer from degenerative spinal cord diseases or traumatic injuries to the brain may need to see a neurosurgeon to receive an operation that fixes the problem. Though this job pays very well, it can be extremely stressful, so only those who can remain cool under pressure should consider becoming a neurosurgeon. At the very least, you may need to rely on some strategies to avoid workplace stress and burnout regularly.

Researcher

Perhaps you are less interested in working directly with patients and more interested in making great strides in the science of neurology. In this case, you could become a neuroscientist. Your main purpose in this role would be to conduct studies to determine how the human nervous system works and what can be done to further medical treatment of these diseases. Neurology researchers are tasked with helping develop medicines used in the treatment of neurological disorders.

Psychiatrist

The human brain is a fascinating thing, serving as the engine of the human body. It directs all actions in the body, which makes it important to keep healthy. Psychiatrists are a type of medical doctor who specialize in mental health. They talk with patients to help them identify and overcome mental health concerns, which can include PTSD, depression, addiction, eating disorders, and even past trauma. If you are interested in helping people but typical neurology physician jobs are not your passion, then a career as a psychiatrist could be very fulfilling.

Professor

The field of neurology has developed many career options. Perhaps your calling is to educate future applicants for these types of jobs. Neurology professors play a crucial role in restocking the healthcare system with capable healthcare professionals. Those who want to become neurologists or neurosurgeons have to receive a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and education from a medical school. For that to be possible, there must be professors who have studied these subjects and even have experience in the field. Some professors in this subject go to school with the specific goal of teaching others about neurology and do not gain any experience in a patient-focused role. If you are passionate about neurology and teaching, then becoming a professor could be the perfect career path.

Where Does Your Path Lie for a Neurology Career?

Do you want to work directly with people to help diagnose their health concerns and create a treatment plan? Are you steady enough to operate on the human body to address degenerative diseases or physical injuries? Would you rather dedicate your life to learning more about the human nervous system as a researcher? There are many career options in the field of neurology for aspiring physicians, researchers, and even professors, so figure out what you are passionate about and be prepared to study and work hard.