Careers in Medicine is a program sponsored by the AAMC. Utilizing the tools on this page and the various educational exercises that are part of this program, your next "admission" will be a smooth, low-stress, process.
Careers in Medicine is a four-year / four-phase curriculum.
Phase One: Self-Assessment
Finding the right specialty "fit" for you, requires some research into yourself. Your motivations, skills, interests, experiences, values, life-style preferences, priorities, challenges, strengths, and abilities provide the basic knowledge to find the right specialty "fit" for you. Pediatric Oncology may be the best specialty in the world for some, but maybe not the right "fit" for you.
UASOM phase 1 - Self Assessment
Phase Two: Career Exploration
This step includes a survey of the broad horizon of specialty opportunities. Based on this survey of all options and the self-evaluation, the task is to reduce realistic possibilities to two or three specialties of greatest interest. For example, if you know your own values well enough to know that your long-term satisfaction will require practice in a small town, many highly technical specialties can be eliminated from your list, very easily.
UASOM phase 2 - Career Exploration
Phase Three: Decision Making
In this step, you will complete a more detailed evaluation of your "short-list" of specialty options. Your personal research efforts will be necessary to make sure you make the right choice for you.
UASOM phase 3 - Decision Making
Phase four: Implementation
After deciding on the field you want, there are some decisions and quite a few machinations to accomplish your goal. You need to select the residency training programs that you prefer, complete the (Electronic Residency Application Service) ERAS, the (National Residency Matching Program) NRMP, the (Rank Order List) ROLIC, and the entire "match" process.
UASOM phase 4 - Implementation
If you view this process as one entity it is quite daunting. Take it in the phases listed above. This process can be a manageable and profitable experience if taken one step at a time.
