Gynaecologist | Cruise Ship Crew Member

BABY ON BOARD

WHY THIS PROFESSION?

I have always felt the need to help people. My mother claims it’s because my father kept telling her pregnant stomach that I was going to be a doctor. Once I had started my training in medicine, women’s health appealed to me as a place where I could make a diff erence.

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO?

Being an obstetrician and gynaecologist means that you are still a medical doctor but have specialised in women’s health. Obstetrics concentrates on healthcare for pregnant woman as well as delivering their babies. Gynaecology involves woman’s health for all other conditions that women of all ages may suff er from.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO?

I obtained my undergraduate medical degree (MBChB) from the University of Cape Town. I then specialised at the University of Cape Town to obtain my fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. This involved working and training at Groote Schuur Hospital and other hospitals like Mowbray Maternity Hospital, New Somerset Hospital, etc.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

Actively consulting women within my consulting rooms, examining them, doing ultrasound scans, discussing treatment plans and prescribing medications. This may include pregnant and nonpregnant women of all ages. I also do operations, including delivering babies via normal birth or Caesarean section or performing gynaecological surgeries. Doing ward rounds, and attending to any emergencies, day or night.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR WORK?

The delivery of a healthy baby to a happy couple after seeing them through the entire pregnancy. And improving someone’s pain or suff ering through treatment or surgeries.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE?

It is a very hectic time-consuming job, and lately, most patients would rather believe “Dr Google” or their neighbour than your medical expertise, trust and care.

ANY HURDLES?

It was extremely diffi cult to bridge the gap (during the apartheid years) between school and university. I am the fi rst in my family to acquire a tertiary education and it was a big fi nancial and psychological hurdle to overcome.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING?

The training is only the framework on which you will build. The answers are not all in the textbook; they are in continuing to learn, practice and be mentored by positive role models. Your experiences will hone your expertise and make you a better healthcare practitioner for your patients’ benefi t. DR MALIKAH VAN DER SCHYFF

SPECIALIST OBSTETRICIAN AND GYNAECOLOGIST PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTICE AT MEDICLINIC CONSTANTIABERG

WHO IS BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK?

You need to be resilient, have stamina and an excellent support structure. A positive mental attitude is vital, because it is not an easy road at all.

ADVICE FOR NEW STUDENTS?

Choose a career in healthcare because you have a passion for it, not for the recognition or the accolades or because someone else wants it for you. None of that matters at 3am when you’re swamped with patients and emergencies and on your own.

THE ART OF CRUISE(SHIP)ING

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS LINE OF WORK?

I studied Art History at uni and this also off ered me the opportunity to realise a life-long dream of travelling the world.

PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DO

Basically, what we do is sell art aboard cruise ships through direct sales and live art auctions.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO?

All candidates go for a short, two-week sales training course in Miami.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

On port days we only start work when the ship sails away, which can be anywhere from 4-6pm. This means we have most of the day to explore a foreign port. Back onboard, the work involves promoting the art programme until about 11pm. On days when the ship is at sea for the entire day, we host our art auctions. Set-up starts at about 6am and the auction is typically held at noon. After a lunch break, we do the admin for the art sold at the auction and this also goes on until about 11pm.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I love literally waking up in a diff erent country every day, all while introducing people to something I am passionate about.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE?

When you are on duty but there isn’t much work to do. It feels like someone is stealing your time – time that you could use to pursue a hobby or further your skills and knowledge in areas that might further your professional career.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?

I had to force myself out of my shell. I used to be a very shy person, but the environment on cruise ships and sales requires you to engage with people on a regular basis. Everything else I had to simply take in my stride.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?

On a personal level, a highlight has certainly been travelling to 47 countries and the wonderful friendships I made along the way. Professionally, it’s the valuable skills I gained that I will be able to draw on throughout my career.

EXPERIENCE VS FORMAL TRAINING?

Having formal training is certainly more appealing, but not essential. Those who work on cruise ships and the art programme come from many types of backgrounds.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO WORKING ON A CRUISE SHIP?

YOLANDE SMIT

CRUISE SHIP CREW MEMBER: ART ASSOCIATE PARK WEST GALLERY

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT?

Leave all your expectations of what employment is like on land at home. Living and working on cruise ships is very diff erent from working a 9 to 5 on land.