NEOUCOM
STEPS to Effective Career Development
The following tables show some of the key events,
experiences, and activities that will guide you throughout the course of
medical school. The knowledge and experience gained from fulfilling these goals
will help you in understanding yourself, career exploration, specialty
selection, and residency application. The timetable is divided into each step
of the curriculum. You may want to familiarize yourself with the entire table
at least once, and then refer back to the relevant information at the beginning
of each step. Hopefully you will find that by completing the suggestions in
this timetable at the appropriate times, you will be better prepared to make
the best career choice for you.
Prologue – Self Assessment
Step 1 – Self Assessment
- Attend Physician Career Stories lectures
- Attend Leadership Education and Professionalism
Workshop (LEAP)
- Join Specialty Interest Groups and attend
meetings
- Complete MBTI Personality Testing; attend
workshop or schedule individual interpretation meeting with the Office of Career Development and Advising
- Complete Self-Assessments on CiM website
- Attend Summer Opportunities workshop
- AHECE Experiences; record in portfolio
- PACE Experiences; record in portfolio
- Complete fellowship applications
- Seek out summer shadowing opportunities
Step 2 – Self
Assessment/Career Exploration
- Begin “pre-search” of specialties (see CiM
website)
- Research CiM Specialty pages
- Record reflection of summer experience in
portfolio
- Attend Physician Career Stories lectures
- Service Opportunities; record in portfolio
- Contact Specialty Advisors
- Attend LEAP workshop
Step 3 – Career Exploration
- Update your CV
- Attend Specialty Interest Group Meetings
- Start creating a plan to prepare for USMLE Step
1 (study schedule, where to take the course, registration deadlines, etc.)
- Attend USMLE Step 1 Preparation lecture
- Research CiM Specialty pages and other residency
sources (see CiM website for search guidelines)
- Attend Physician Career Stories Lecture Series
- Select third year clinical rotation preferences
- Continue specialty research- complete more in
depth research on those specialties you are interested in (use CiM “second
opinions” Guidelines)
- Contact Specialty Advisors
- Take CSA II
- Take USMLE Step 1 – deadline June 30.
Step 4 – Decision Making
- Attend the Student Clinician Ceremony
- Complete the Pathways pre- and post-Clerkship specialty evaluations
- Update your CV
- Review your career exploration and personal
career assessment and set guidelines for decision-making
- Collect any additional information you would
like about specialties you are interested in
- Begin “Choosing your Specialty” on CiM website
- Attend Alumni Specialty Reception (January Intersession)
- Draft your personal statement
- Research residency programs you may be
interested in applying for (see CiM website for guidelines and physician
workforce data)
- Plan Step 5 schedule; research Away electives
and consider “audition” electives
- Attend AMSA Residency Fair (April Intersession)
Step 5 – Implementation
- Finalize CV (May)
- Complete Personal Statement
- Obtain ERAS token from Student Affairs Dean’s
Office (August)
- Register for the Match (www.nrmp.org)
- Identify faculty to write letters of
recommendation
- Complete ERAS application, including designation
of which programs you are applying to
- Prepare for USMLE Step 2
- Prepare for residency interviews
- Residency interviews
- CSA IV
- USMLE Step 2 CS & CK; Deadline December 31.
- Early match deadlines (usually early to mid
January)
- Enter Rank Order List online for NRMP match (February)
- MATCH DAY (March)
- Sign residency contract (April)
- Graduation - Congratulations!
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