A career in podiatry is one thing that those considering their future may wish to consider. Podiatry is that profession that's focused on the prevention and treatment of problems of the foot and connected structures. Podiatry practitioners make use of a variety of different medical, physical, pharmacological, biomechanical and surgical interventions to deal with pretty much everything that may and does go wrong with the feet. The education to become podiatrist varies from country to country with the degree being a 4 yr undergraduate degree for most countries with post-graduate courses in areas of speciality. In the USA it is a 4 yr post-graduate education followed by a 3 year post degree residency. The scope of practice and the period of time of education does differ a lot internationally. A fairly easy search on the internet ought to turn up the details necessary for training in each country.
The long run for podiatry is more than likely very good as a result of aging populace and the diabetes epidemic being driven by the obesity crisis. Those in the older age groups have a higher frequency of foot conditions, so as the population ages, so too will the need for podiatrists. It's the same with the obesity crisis that is bringing about the significantly increased incidence of diabetes. People that have diabetes are at a considerably increased risk for conditions of the feet and also amputation, so in these people good foot care and podiatry management is essential to avoid and treat these issues.
Podiatrists also work in lots of other different areas such as sports medicine and paediatrics. Here they use various treatment modalities to avoid and treat disorders of the feet and leg in athletes and children. Their function is important in these populations. In rheumatology settings they will be working with other health care professionals to take care of all of the problems which happen in the feet of those with the different joint disease type conditions.