Choosing a medical school was a straight forward process. I applied to a handful of schools and was fortunate to have a relatively early interview with University of Kansas and accepted soon after. University of Kansas was more affordable being an in-state school. I also knew numerous people who were attending University of Kansas and it was near my family.
Choosing a residency was a more involved process. I recall that there were approximately 80 programs across the country for my specialty. Given the multitude of options, it was important to make a list of priorities to help narrow down the list. Some factors to consider are cost of living, proximity to family, geographic location, the personality of the residents and faculty that you meet, and local recreational activities. All residency programs offer a standard education, but it is important to consider what is unique about each program and how it will influence training and career choice. Medical school staff closely advise students on their residency application and selection process.
After residency, I spent one year serving as a Chief Resident for my Internal Medicine program. This was a faculty position that allowed me to gain experience teaching medical students and residents, working with the residency program leadership, and working with hospital administration. It was a great opportunity to help further my leadership development and further refine my career goals.
For my first job after chief residency, I focused my job search based on geographic locations where I was interested in living and working. I initially talked with prospective employers on the telephone to gauge my fit with their organization. I made initial visits to job sites followed by a second visit to my top choice. This was followed by reviewing a contract, negotiating with the employer, and finally signing the contract. The expenses associated with my job interviews were paid by the potential employers. The interview process was enjoyable and low stress. Interviews were usually about 2 days in duration. Total time spent looking for a job was spread out over approximately two years.