Explore

Preclerkship Years

• Take the AAMC Careers in Medicine self-assessment
  • Physician Values in Practice Scale (PVIPS): Students are required to complete the Physician Values in Practice Scale (PVIPS) self-assessment on the AAMC CiM website during the fall of the first year.
  • Medical Specialty Preference Inventory (MSPI): Students are required to complete the Medical Specialty Preference Inventory (MSPI) self-assessment on the AAMC CiM website.

• Talk to the Careers in Medicine Team in the Dean’s Office
  
  • Dr. Marc Heincelman, Associate Dean for Career Advising
  • Dr. Nicole McCoy, Assistant Dean for Career Advising
  • Andrea Shrader, Director of Careers in Medicine
• Become a member of Student Specialty Interest Groups – attend events and meetings
• Seek our shadowing experiences
• Opt into the FL-EXplore career opportunity experience during the FLEX period
• Read a book – these were written to help you choose a specialty

1. The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Medical Specialty by Brian S. Freeman, MD
2. How to Choose a Medical Specialty by Anita D. Taylor
3. On Becoming A Doctor by Tania Heller

Clinical Years

• Join national professional association for potential specialties
• Establish mentors in select field(s)
• Talk in depth with your attending physicians and residents – ask questions about how and why they chose their specialty
• Complete self-reflection following each rotation/clerkship – what was the culture of the specialty? What did you enjoy? What did you dislike? How does the specialty align with your values and interests?
• Choose Selectives in 3rd year that can expand your experiences and help with career selection. The Careers in Medicine Team in the Dean’s Office is happy to set up a one-on-one advising appointment to discuss this selection.
• Interested Podcasts on specialty decision and indecision:
  • The Undifferentiated Medical Student (TUMS)
  • Behind the Knife:  The Surgery Podcast
  • The Curbsiders: Internal Medicine Podcast