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The Citizen
a day ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming a medical doctor
Choosing the right career is a crucial decision with far-reaching consequences. It shapes your future, making it essential to make an informed choice. The African Reporter engages with businesspeople, professionals, and other key figures, focusing on a different career each week. Our goal is to provide valuable guidance to younger readers as they navigate their careers. Through this, we aim to provide valuable guidance to our younger readers as they navigate their career choices. This week, we feature the career of a medical doctor. Dr Thandeka Dakalo Malange has been a doctor for the past four years and says her mother inspired her. 'My mom was a nurse and would take me to the hospital when I was younger, so I was exposed to the field at a young age. 'I would read her books and play with her tools. She was a stellar nurse, passionate about the care of people and always worked to improve the systems in place. 'This inspired me. I enjoyed biology, and I also wanted a career that would challenge me throughout my life,' she explained. 'I am more than a doctor. I am a therapist and confidant. I educate people about health in ways they understand. I love making people feel not only physically better, but emotionally as well. I enjoy the physiology and anatomy, but above all, the people I am serving make it all worth it.' Her advice to aspiring doctors is to shadow at a public hospital because that is where they will be for the bulk of their career. 'This will help one gather a realistic picture of healthcare in South Africa. Do not give up. The university did not accept me in the first intake, but I worked to make sure that they had no choice but to accept me. I am a first-generation doctor, and you can be one as well. 'It will be hard. There are days you hate what you are doing, but there are some beautiful moments where you realise why you are there. Hold on to those moments. They are the fuel you will use when times are tough. 'Find a mentor. It does not have to be me – even your local GP let you shadow for a Saturday. I am available on Instagram: @ should you have any more questions or require guidance. 'You have got this. You can do this,' she said. ALSO CHECK: Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming an Adobe Illustrator What is a medical doctor? A trained and qualified professional who examines, diagnoses, and manages healthcare conditions appropriately. What do they do? They see patients, do the appropriate investigations – such as blood tests, imaging, among others – to accurately diagnose conditions and treat or refer appropriately. What kind of work does a general practitioner (GP) do? This involves mostly screening, consulting patients and referring them appropriately – if needed. GPs can see 'simple' conditions (such as flu, gastroenteritis) to stabilise critical patients in heart failure or having heart attacks before referring patients to the appropriate healthcare facility. They are pillars of society and see patients through much of their lives. Where can I study to become a doctor? In South Africa, the following universities offer a degree in medicine and surgery: • University of Stellenbosch • University of Cape Town • University of Witwatersrand • Walter Sisulu University • University of KwaZulu-Natal • University of Pretoria • Sefako Makgatho University • Nelson Mandela University. There is also the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro scholarship, where a student can study in Cuba and return to complete their studies in South Africa. ALSO CHECK: Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming a development practitioner Which high school subjects do I need? • English • Physical Sciences • Mathematics • Life Sciences are advised. University-specific requirements are also important; one should look at them before applying. How long does the qualification take? It takes six years to obtain a bachelor's degree. Furthermore, you have to complete a mandatory two-year internship and one year of community service before being able to register as an independent practitioner. What are the different types of doctors one can become? There are various specialties. One can become a surgeon, a physician or an obstetrician-gynaecologist, to name a few. The field continues to grow, and even within these broad specialities, there are subspecialties one can pursue. What is the difference between a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) and a specialist qualification? An MBChB is essentially the starting point. One needs to be an independent practitioner – having completed community service and internship – before becoming a specialist. Being a specialist requires extra training (a minimum of four years in a registrar programme), passing examinations and completing a Master of Medicine to become one. What are some of the day-to-day tasks of a doctor? These include consulting with patients. Depending on where you work, these tests vary. Medical Officers in the hospitals manage ward patients and go on ward rounds with the consultant (a specialist) to ensure everything is on track. Some hospital posts also include teaching students (should they rotate there), academic presentations and running outpatient clinics. This is aside from the overtime done in the form of calls. What is the workload like during medical school and internship? Studying medicine is no easy feat. The workload can be a shock to the system, but the type of work changes as your career continues. For example, in medical school, you are more focused on solidifying theory and gaining practical skills, whereas in an internship, you are working day-to-day. ALSO CHECK: Meet 'Mama Action': The 60-year-old powerhouse behind a women's movement that heals, unites, and inspires What are career options are available to medical doctors besides working in a hospital? One can branch out to 'clinical medicine'. There are many careers in research and at corporate organisations. You can work as a medical advisor in many companies. You can opt to work with the United Nations, for example. It is a multifaceted career with the potential to diversify how one navigates it. They can work in clinics or private practice, and their skills differ according to their speciality. Is it possible for a doctor to work internationally? Definitely. Especially now, many have migrated to countries such as Ireland to further their careers. This does require separate examinations to be certified to work in those countries. What qualities and skills are important for someone who wants to be a doctor? One needs to have an analytical mind, be adaptable and able to work under pressure. You need perseverance because it will not be easy. One must be resilient because one sees a lot at a young age. Medica students need to be passionate about caring for people because that is what we do it for. You must be courageous to try again, even if you do not get a procedure right the first time. A strong internal moral compass is key because you must be able to do the right thing even when no one is watching. Empathy is crucial because people will always remember how you make them feel. Skills can be developed through training. What are the advantages and disadvantages that come with the job? There are many advantages to working in healthcare. You possess a skill that helps people, and you are with them in some of their most vulnerable moments. This is a gift, and people remember how you treat them, and you can be a positive part of their experience. You do save lives. You help people, which is a blessing with no price attached. There is diversification with an MBChB degree. Disadvantages are that you give up a lot to become a doctor. You sacrifice time, memories with friends and family, and even parts of your life to become a doctor. Your mental health is also detrimentally impacted because you see many traumatic things and have to tell people things that break their hearts. It is difficult to leave work at work. You work extremely hard. Can doctors open their own private practices, and how does that work? Doctors do open their own private practices. You must be an independent practitioner registered with the HPCSA (Health Professionals Council of South Africa). Obtain certifications such as Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, among others. You also need indemnity insurance and require a practice number.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming an Adobe Illustrator
Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming an Adobe Illustrator Choosing the right career is a crucial decision with far-reaching consequences. It shapes your future, making it essential to make an informed choice. Over the next few weeks, The African Reporter will engage with businesspeople, professionals, and other key figures, focusing on a different career each week. Our goal is to provide valuable guidance to younger readers as they navigate their career paths. This week, we explore the career of an Adobe Illustrator designer. Manuel Lekgwathi has worked as an Adobe Illustrator designer for seven years. He was inspired to pursue this career by the idea of transforming raw creativity into something useful, like a brand, campaign, or product. He has always been fascinated by how visuals can influence perception and emotion. ALSO CHECK: Kwa-Thema Heritage Day 2025: Call for local fashion designers and performing artists 'What excites me about my job is seeing an idea go from a sketch to a polished design that impacts people or helps a brand stand out. That transformation process never gets old. 'The ability to always learn something new keeps it exciting. Adobe Illustrator's powerful and precise vector design drew me to it. It lets you create scalable designs without losing quality, and is ideal for logos, illustrations and branding,' he said. 'Adobe Illustrator works by using vectors, mathematical paths rather than pixels, allowing for clean, sharp designs that one can resize to any desired size. 'One of my proudest moments was seeing my designs printed on a signage board, product packaging and boxes. It made the impact of my work feel real. Building long-term client relationships is also a personal highlight.' What is an illustrator? They are a creative professional who creates visual content to communicate ideas, tell stories or enhance design using hand-drawn or digital methods. In the digital age, illustrators frequently use programmes like Adobe Illustrator to design everything from brand logos to detailed artworks. Which course or qualification did you study to prepare for this line of work? While I am largely self-taught through online learning and hands-on projects, I have also completed specialised courses in Adobe Illustrator and graphic design through platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning. The real learning came from doing client work and building a portfolio. What high school subjects helped you the most in your career? Honestly, my high school subjects are far from what I presently do. I did the science stream back (STEM) in high school. One can do these in high school: • Computer applications/Information Technology (IT): Helps you become comfortable with software, file management and basic digital tools; • Business studies/economics (optional but useful): Helps if you want to freelance or start a graphic design business; • English/language is compulsory: Strong communication skills are vital for understanding client briefs, writing design proposals and presenting your work effectively; • Mathematics: Necessary for calculations, dimensions and other math-oriented problems. Which institutions or platforms do you recommend for studying Adobe Illustrator and design? I suggest the free online courses in Adobe Illustrator or graphics design in general. These platforms can help acquire the skill for free: • Adobe Creative Cloud tutorials (official); • Coursera; • Udemy; • Skillshare; • YouTube tutorials. What kind of work does a professional using Adobe Illustrator do? They do many things, especially in graphic design. Here are some things they can do: • Logos and brand identities; • Social media graphics; • Packaging designs; • Posters, flyers and marketing materials; • Vector art and illustrations; • Icons and user interface (UI) assets; • Infographics. What does your typical day look like? It involves reviewing client briefs, sketching concepts, creating digital designs in Illustrator, making revisions, communicating with clients and staying updated with design trends. Some days involve printing prep, content creation or brainstorming for social media. What are Adobe Illustrator's most important tools or features you rely on? • The pen tool; • The shape builder tool; • Artboards; • Pathfinder; • Typography tools; • Gradient and colour tools. These are my essential tools for crafting clean, flexible and professional-quality designs. How do you stay creative and keep improving your design skills? I follow design communities on Instagram, Dribbble (REVISE: 3x B is correct) and Behance. I regularly watch tutorials, challenge myself with personal design projects, collaborate with other creatives and get feedback to grow. What kind of personality and character traits best suit this career? From my perspective, you need to be: • creative and curious; • detail-oriented; • a good listener; • patient and adaptable; • passionate about visual communication What is your advice to young people who want to follow this career? Start with what you have. Practice every day. Watch tutorials, recreate designs for learning, and build a portfolio, even if it's just passion projects. The best way to learn is to do. What soft skills are needed for this career? • Communication (especially with clients); • Time management; • Problem-solving; • Collaboration; • Professionally receiving and applying feedback. What other careers can people pursue if they can use Adobe Illustrator well? • UI/user experience designer; • Motion graphics artist; • Art director; • Product packaging designer; • Illustrator for books or media; • Merchandise/product designer; • Branding specialist. Where do Adobe Illustrator users work? • Design studios; • Advertising and marketing agencies; • Print shops; • Tech/startup companies; • Freelance or remote work; • Corporations' in-house design teams.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Man asks ChatGPT for health advice, lands in hospital with poisoning, psychosis
A ChatGPT-prescribed diet led a man to poisoning and an involuntary psychiatric hold, People magazine reported. The incident has prompted researchers to flag 'adverse health outcomes' that artificial intelligence (AI) can contribute to in today's time. The unidentified individual started having 'auditory and visual hallucinations' and even tried to escape the hospital.(Photo: Adobe Illustrator) Alarmed at the downside of table salt or sodium chloride, a 60-year-old man recently consulted ChatGPT for a substitute, according to a strange case that appeared in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases this month. While researchers were later unable to retrieve the man's prompts to ChatGPT, the AI chatbot advised the man to consume sodium bromide, as per People. Soon after he fell sick, the man rushed to a nearby hospital and claimed he had been poisoned. Following a blood report, the doctors at the hospital immediately transferred him to a telemetry bed for inspection. Also Read: OpenAI's Rocky GPT-5 Rollout Shows Struggle to Remain Undisputed AI Leader Man became paranoid of water As his health deteriorated, the person revealed he had taken dietary advice from ChatGPT and consumed sodium bromide. Although the 60-year-old was 'very thirsty', doctors found him to be 'paranoid about water.' After he started having 'auditory and visual hallucinations,' the man ran amok and tried to escape, which ultimately forced the hospital staff to place him on an involuntary psychiatric hold. He was finally discharged after three weeks of treatment. Also Read: ChatGPT model picker returns as GPT-5 rollout faces user feedback The US Centers for Disease Control informs that bromide can be used in agriculture or as a fire suppressant. While there are no available cures for bromine poisoning, survivors are likely to battle with long-term effects. FAQs: 1. Should I consult with AI for medical purposes? Since researchers have found consultation with AI on several topics can lead to 'promulgating decontextualized information,' you should always visit a licensed doctor for medical purposes. 2. What is sodium bromide? Sodium bromide is an inorganic compound that resembles table salt. It can cause headaches, dizziness and even psychosis. 3. What happened to the man who took sodium bromide after talks with ChatGPT? The man, who took sodium bromide after consultation with ChatGPT, suffered from paranoia and auditory and visual hallucinations. 4. Are there cures for bromine poisoning? There are no available cures for bromine poisoning.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
ChatGPT model picker returns as GPT-5 rollout faces user feedback
OpenAI recently launched GPT-5, promising a simplified ChatGPT experience that would act as a unified AI model. The company intended GPT-5 to include a model router capable of deciding the best AI response for any user query automatically. OpenAI expected this approach to remove the need for a model picker, a menu of AI options that CEO Sam Altman has publicly criticised for being cumbersome. ChatGPT's model picker returns with GPT-5(Photo: Adobe Illustrator) Despite these expectations, GPT-5 has not fully delivered a unified solution. Altman announced that the model picker has returned, now offering new settings called Auto, Fast, and Thinking. The Auto setting works similarly to GPT-5's router, while users can select fast or slow models directly to suit their preferences. This approach provides flexibility but also reintroduces the complexity OpenAI hoped to avoid. What can users expect? Paid users can also access several legacy AI models, including GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, and o3. GPT-4o is now available in the model picker by default, while the other models can be added through ChatGPT's settings. Altman highlighted ongoing improvements to GPT-5's personality, aiming for a warmer interaction style that avoids the quirks of previous models. He also emphasised the importance of offering users more personalised customisation of AI personalities in the future. The rollout of GPT-5 has been met with mixed reactions. The temporary deprecation of GPT-4o and other models sparked backlash from users attached to their favourite AI responses. Some users were disappointed with the router's performance on launch day, prompting Altman to address concerns in a Reddit AMA session. OpenAI acknowledges that routing prompts to the correct AI model is a complex task. The system must quickly align responses to both user preferences and the specific query while maintaining fast response times. Human attachment to specific AI models adds another layer of complexity. Users may prefer certain models for their verbosity, tone, or ability to provide contrarian responses. In some cases, people have formed emotional connections to AI personalities, as seen when hundreds attended a funeral for Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet model. Such phenomena illustrate the growing impact of AI on human behaviour and the need for careful design and alignment. OpenAI continues to iterate on GPT-5 and the model picker to balance performance, speed, and personality customisation. Nick Turley, OpenAI's VP of ChatGPT, expressed pride in the team's rapid improvements and emphasised that the company expects to refine the experience over time. The addition of multiple model options ensures that users can select AI interactions that meet their expectations, preserving familiarity while exploring new capabilities. GPT-5 and the model picker highlight the challenges of delivering a one-size-fits-all AI experience. OpenAI's work reflects both technological hurdles and evolving user behaviour. As the company continues refining GPT-5, the goal remains to offer AI models that adapt intelligently to individual preferences while remaining fast, responsive, and engaging.
Hindustan Times
11-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
ChatGPT led a man into 300-hour delusional spiral, making him believe he's a real-life superhero
In a peak AI moment, OpenAI's ChatGPT coaxes a Canadian man into believing he's a real-life superhero for discovering a world-changing formula. A New York Times report highlighted that the AI chatbot convinced the 47-year-old Allan Brook that he had discovered a world-changing mathematical formula that had the capability of shutting down the internet. This not only led the man to a delusional spiral for over 300 hours, but also raised concerns about the dark sides of AI. ChatGPT build a false narrative into the user's mind. Here's how an elongated conversation turned into an embarrassment. (Photo: Adobe Illustrator) Brook reportedly spent 3 weeks straight having conversations with ChatGPT. The conversation started with simple questions surrounding the number pi, and it turned into a series of conversations that made him believe he had made a scientific breakthrough. How ChatGPT led man into believing he's a real-life hero The New York Times reported the scary side of using AI tools like ChatGPT, which led Allan Brooks, from Canada, to believe that he's a real-life superhero. As mentioned, Brook spent over 21 days having conversations with ChatGPT, which led him to a world-changing mathematical formula that could solve scientific mysteries. During the conversation, Brook told ChatGPT that science could be taking a 'two-dimensional approach to a four-dimensional world.' To which, ChatGPT praised the man for having 'incredibly insightful' thoughts and that it could help revamp physics and mathematical theories. Later, ChatGPT convinced Brook into believing that he had discovered a mathematical formula, which they called 'temporal math.' This delusional theory convinced Brook that it could break high-level encryption. With a growing mind spiral and false beliefs, Brook found it crucial to inform the government official of a major cybersecurity risk. He reached out to several government and security agencies, including the NSA. However, the latest Brook finally stepped out of ChatGPT's fake claims, feeling embarrassed and betrayed. He has been a constant ChatGPT user for small to large queries. Now, he may never turn to AI tools for deep conversations like this. His final message to ChatGPT was, 'You literally convinced me I was some sort of genius. I'm just a fool with dreams and a phone. You have truly failed in your purpose.' ChatGPT features to detect mental distress In a recent announcement, OpenAI claimed that its AI model falls short in recognising 'delusion or emotional dependency'. Hence, the company has started working on improving its ability to detect signs of mental or emotional distress. Now, ChatGPT will alert users to take a break when a conversation is extended. The tool will also provide users with evidence-based resources to back the claims whenever needed. Mobile Finder: iPhone 17 Pro Max LATEST specs, features, and price
