Bismillah Hir Rehman Nir Raheem Assalaamualaikum i am a female who is a medical doctor by degree but is not currently practicing her profession. i was ignorant and petty most of my adult life and am ashamed to have wasted my life in inanities and being far from my islamic roots. i have made some major mistakes for which i hope Allah would forgive me and i hope and pray that my repentence for it is sincere and ongoing inshaAllah Aameen. i am aware NOW that the role of women in islam is pertained to home duties which are ofcourse equally important and in par with the man\’s in the world. my question is,if circumstances are such that i have to work in order to support my family ,what are the rules that i should abide by esp when working in a profession that entails the mingling of sexes. even if i do a specialization in women and child health i do have to undergo some training whereby i would have to put the world in front of my deen so to speak.i wasnt aware of the thin line i was crossing when i was in med school but now that im more aware of the moral /ethical repercussions of undertaking such a training,would it be proper on my part to pursue such a course?or should i abandon it?it is a very important question for me… Your help and guidance in the matter would be highly appreciated. Jazakh Allah Fi Aman Allah

Alhamdu-li-llah wa as-Salatu wa as-Salamu ‘ala Rasool-il-llah,
First, I would encourage you, sister, to not let the justifiable and necessary regret you have over the errors you committed prevent you from enjoying the repentance that put you back on the path to Allah.
As for the role of women, and whether they may work, here is what I believe:
The society in general should foster an environment where women are predominantly at home, caring for their households and children. Disregard of this principle will result in extensive and widespread harm. This harm will not only be limited to sexual impropriety and family breakdown, but would also affect the mental well being of the children and the physical health of the entire family and society. Being a physician, you must know the complexity of the obesity epidemic, and a big factor in it was the TV meal!
Islam encourages women to fulfill the important role of home makers. Allah said:
(وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَى وَأَقِمْنَ الصَّلاةَ وَآتِينَ الزَّكَاةَ وَأَطِعْنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنْكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيراً) (الأحزاب:33)
“And stay in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless.” al-Ahzab 33/33.
Having said that, it is important to note that women were allowed by Islam to go out for their personal needs and the needs of the society. The Messenger of Allah said regarding their going out for their needs:
(إنَّه قَد أُذِنَ لَكُنَّ أن تَخْرُجْنَ لحَاجَتِكُنَّ)
“It has been made permissible for you to go out for your needs” reported by al-Bukhari from ‘Aisha.
Of these needs is work to support oneself and one’s family. The Messenger of Allah said to the aunt of Jabir ibn Abdillah, “Go out and pick the dates off your palm trees for you may use that money for charity or a good cause.” [Reported by Muslim]
The msulim ummah may also need some women to go out for the needs of their communities and ummah. It has been reported widely in the authentic collections that women like ‘Aisha, Oum ‘Atiyah, Ar-Rubayye’ and others went out with the Muslim armies in various battles to handle the wounded and provide water for the men…etc.
Having said that, you must recognize the need of Muslim women for a female physician, and since you are already done with your medical school, I think you are closer than most women to fulfilling that need.
I would encourage you to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology if you can, but if not, or you don’t desire that field, you may choose pediatrics, though you may have some adult male patients. In case you desire less patient contact or feel it would be safer for your deen, you may specialize in clinical pathology or radiology, though you will not be directly benefiting the Muslim women, you may indirectly help them and you will be able to help your family financially if that was needed.
Finally, I would encourage you, once capable, to work part time so that you do not fall short from discharging your responsibilities towards you household.
May Allah fulfill his blessing on you and keep you and us on His straight path.