VMS I (Explore)
Getting Started
As you begin medical school and become engrossed in classes and clinical work, it is important to evaluate what path you want your medical career to follow. As daunting as this might seem, there are many resources to help you make the best decisions possible.
Where to start?
Choosing the correct specialty should only happen when potential fields you are interested in have been thoroughly researched A great place to start is the AAMC website:
Here, specialty information, career information, and other related resources are available for you to explore. To log-in, simply use your AAMC log-in and password from registering for the MCAT, submitting your primary application for medical school, etc.
Interest Groups
Attend as many interest group meetings as possible as doing so will expose you to new fields not on your radar. Most students make their final career decision in the latter half of the third year (some even in the first half of the fourth year), so don’t feel like you have to commit to any field right now. Shop around.
Specialty Speed Dating
With nearly 100% attendance, first-year students participate in an opportunity to learn about different specialties through a “Speed Dating” event.
Residents and attending physicians from many different specialties – encompassing representatives from both Vanderbilt and community practices – are invited to the medical school to present their respective specialties. Prior to the event, medical students are provided a “little black book” containing basic information about each specialty such as match requirements, residency length, sub-specialization options, and salary data. They are also provided sample questions to assist each interaction. In groups of two to three, students rotate through a series of “dates” lasting 3-4 minutes. The relative brevity provides an appropriate amount of time to develop an impression of the physicians and specialty while still allowing for exposure to a large number of careers.
The speed-dating portion of the evening concludes once each student has met with all the representatives in attendance. At this time the students have the opportunity to go on a longer “date” with 3 specialties of their choosing. These longer, 20-minute sessions involve groups of 10-15 students who learn more about the selected field and begin the process of developing professional relationships. Many of these interactions have resulted in future mentorship and research projects.
Where do you fit?
Perhaps you have no idea where to start exploring, or even what types of specialties would appeal to you! Many students take personality tests to evaluate potential fields. A common one is the Jung Typology Test:
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
To understand your score, go to http://www.capt.org/mbti-assessment/type-descriptions.htm.
This test could help you understand your personality better, and as you meet physicians from different fields and hear about the lifestyle and characteristics of various fields, assess if that specialty is right for you. For other similar resources, visit:
The Pathway Evaluation Program for Medical Professionals
http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/RESIDENT/CareerCounseling/intro.htm
The University of Virginia Medical Specialty Aptitude Test
http://www.med-ed.virginia.edu/specialties/
Career MD
http://careermd.com/
Building your CV
As you continue through your medical journey here at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, it is important to document your accomplishments and activities so when residency applications and job interviews come around, you are prepared with a complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae. Here are some helpful resources for compiling a strong CV and application.
CVs section of this Website
This section has CV samples from previous Vanderbilt medical students.
This is a free but often under-utilized service open to all Vanderbilt students. CV editing, consultations, and general guidance are offered free of charge.
AMA Guide for Medical Students
This website has excellent resources as well as residency advice and application resources.
Hopefully, these websites and resources have given you just a taste of where to start. Remember, you have plenty of time to think about all of the choices you will have to make, but it’s never too early to get started. Good luck and have fun!