Formal guidance from residency programs on finding employment after training may vary. It is important to seek the guidance of a mentor to assistant with your career self-exploration as well as the more granular process of finding a job.
Nevertheless, to be successful in securing the best position, you need to complete a number of tasks in their proper sequence. Topping the task list is creating a career strategy, yet the most common mistake made by residents and fellows is beginning the job search without a clear and definite plan. Consider this: somewhere between 40% and 60% of newly graduated physicians change their job after just 5 years. Identifying your clinical interests within internal medicine, your work style, and any other potential interests within and outside of medicine (research, teaching, leadership) is important to reflect upon before a career search given the multiple options and flexibility that a career in internal medicine provides.
A career strategy entails nothing more than making a choice based upon what is important to you. Some important factors to consider might include work/life integration, location, financial requirements, and working conditions. To help organize your thoughts, write down the answers to the following 12 questions:
1. What is your preferred practice setting?
- inpatient
- outpatient
- a mix of inpatient and outpatient
- nontraditional
2. How do you wish to practice medicine?
- as a hospital employee
- in a single specialty group
- in a multispecialty group
- within an HMO
- solo
- in another setting (urgent care, outpatient student health, public health department)
- no preference
3. What kind of compensation would you most prefer for your first professional practice?
- income guarantee
- salary with a production bonus
- bank loan
4. What level of compensation do you expect in your first practice?
- $75,000-$100,000
- $100,00-$125,000
- $125,000-$150,000
5. How do you view working in a managed care environment?
- prefer
- do not prefer
- have no preference
6. In what type of setting do you prefer to practice?
- urban
- suburban
- rural
7. In what type of setting do you prefer to live?
- urban
- suburban
- rural
8. What type of school system will be important to you?
- public schools
- private schools
- not an issue
9. What is the most important consideration in selecting your first professional practice setting? The second most important consideration?
- geographic location
- financial compensation
- quality professional environment
10. What type of patient mix do you prefer?
- all hospital
- all ambulatory
- mix of hospital and ambulatory (specify)
11. How many hours per week do you wish to work (excluding call)?
- less than 35
- between 34 and 45
- more than 45
12. How many days of call each month are you willing to take?
- 4 -5
- 6-7
- 8-10
- more than 10
13. How important are job opportunities for your spouse/significant other?
- essential
- very important but not essential
- not important
You may wish to rank these 12 factors as most important, important, and least important. Use your ranked list when assessing the desirability of job opportunities, making the best match between the various opportunities and your needs. Meeting most or all of your career needs will not guarantee job satisfaction, but it does represent a rational approach to career planning.
For more resource to help with career planning, visit 91黑料网's Career Connection.