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Going to medical school requires a lot of courage, time, and effort. Students spend years studying and preparing for the day that they can finally land their first job. Luckily, jobs in the medical field, like doctors, physical therapists, nurses, and phlebotomists, are some of the most popular in the U.S.
However, graduating from medical school can be overwhelming. In fact, 75% of medical students and fresh graduates experienced anxiety and physical and psychological exhaustion while making career decisions.
At this point, it’s important to remember that having a successful medical career is not linear and won’t magically happen overnight. Instead, it requires careful plotting of short-term and long-term career goals.
With that said, here are some career planning tips to get you going:
Build your network
It is crucial to build connections and resources with people within your prospective field. These people can give you insights and an honest outlook on what it’s like on the job. Moreover, your network can open several job opportunities for you to explore.
In fact, almost 80% of new jobs are filled via referral or networking. Therefore, even if the medical field is competitive, it is always worth investing in the people around you.
Set SMART goals
After researching and listening to the advice and opinions of the people in your network, it is time to sit down and make SMART goals. SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
Doing this can help you break down big and overwhelming goals into smaller steps, making them more achievable. For instance, if you are not yet ready to commit to a full-time job, you can start by exploring temporary job placements, like locum tenens, for which you can learn more if you click here.
Revisit your plan
Planning a career is not a linear process. So, do not be afraid to revisit and revise your existing plan. As you emerge into the medical field, you’ll discover things and career opportunities that you did not know before.
You’ll also learn more about yourself as a professional. The picture will eventually be clearer. What are the things that matter most to you? Do you want to work with children or seniors? Are you satisfied with your work/life balance?
Do you like the job you are currently doing? Questions as such can help pave the way to your dream job and successful career. So, it is important to reassess your plan now and then.
Focus on yourself
Most importantly, do not compare your career path with that of your peers. Comparing your progress with others will only make you feel bitter or vain. You should remember that the medical field is a vast and complex network of jobs and opportunities.
What works for your peers may not work for you, and vice versa. Instead, focus on enriching yourself and your network.
Conclusion
Give yourself enough credit; graduating from medical school is already a big achievement. Looking for a job and building your career path may not be easy, but these simple career tips for graduating medical students can make it more bearable and less daunting.
