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| Year : 2009 | Volume
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| Issue : 4 | Page : 580-582 |
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| Objective career planning for a resident pathologist |
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Sunil Jaiman
Patologisk institut, Regionshospitalet, Randers, 8930 NØ, Denmark
Click here for correspondence address and email
| Date of Web Publication | 1-Oct-2009 |
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How to cite this article:
Jaiman S. Objective career planning for a resident pathologist. Indian J Pathol Microbiol 2009;52:580-2 |
Sir,
As you are aware most postgraduate residency and training programs do not offer counselling on choosing a career path following the completion of the training. [1] Majority of the neophyte pathologists are dogged by 'after-residency-what' syndrome. It is vital for one to form a strategy in order to be reasonably successful in life after MD training. Unfortunately, since most residents and youngsters have not organized their thoughts and commence the job search without a concrete strategy or plan there is often great confusion, frustration and confoundment. Many bright prospects find themselves at the crossroads and in a dilemma about the future and feel pessimistic about pathology-the subject itself.
In order to help a resident in objectively analyzing a career choice and organizing his/her thoughts I have compiled a series of 14 questions. The important factors considered are specialty priority, family, personal financial requirements, location, working conditions etc.
I. In What specialty would one like to establish one's practice?
- Only histopathology, cytopathology, hematology.
- Only histopathology, cytopathology, hematology plus clinical pathology.
- Clinical pathology and occasional histopathology cytopathology and hematology.
- Only clinical pathology.
- Does not matter.
II. How does one wish to practice pathology?
- As a government hospital employee.
- As a corporate hospital employee.
- As an employee of a large corporate laboratory.
- As a part-timer.
- As an individual, entrepreneur.
III. What kind of financial compensation does one expect?
- Income guarantee.
- Monthly fixed salary with maybe annual bonus.
- Monthly fixed salary with maybe production incentive.
- Hourly compensation.
- Willing to risk compensation.
IV. How does one relate to working as a junior colleague?
- Does not matter at all.
- Not critical as long as there is some leeway.
- Matters and would prefer greater freedom.
- Matters but little cautious and restrained by compulsions.
- Cannot work as a junior colleague.
V. What is the most important consideration in selecting the professional practice setting?
- Only academic professional environment.
- Academic plus geographical location.
- Financial compensation plus geographical location.
- Only financial compensation.
- Does not matter.
VI. How important is spouse's job?
- Extremely essential.
- Essential.
- Very important but not essential.
- Important.
- Not important.
VII. What type of schooling would one prefer for one's children?
- A government school (kendriya vidyalaya).
- A reputed private school.
- Any local reasonably good school.
- Only a school of social standing.
- Not only a school with a social standing but also the most expensive school.
VIII. Where should one locate one's practice?
- Does not matter.
- In an urban setting.
- Urban or suburban setting.
- Urban, suburban or rural setting.
- Commercially viable setting.
IX. Where would one prefer to live?
- Does not matter.
- In an urban setting.
- Urban or suburban setting.
- Urban, suburban or rural setting.
- Preferably close to a commercial setting.
X. How does one relate to the administrative and financial aspects pertaining to a laboratory?
- Not interested.
- Participate occasionally but unwilling.
- Participate willingly.
- Interested.
- Very interested and passionate.
XI. How are one's communication skills?
- Generally poor.
- Manageable.
- Circumstantial.
- Good.
- Excellent generally.
XII. How skilful is one socially?
- Generally poor.
- Manageable.
- Circumstantial.
- Good.
- Excellent generally.
XIII. How strong are one's personal finances?
- Average.
- More than average.
- Good.
- Quite good.
- Excellent.
XIV. How cautious is one temperamentally?
- Extremely cautious.
- Cautious.
- Cautious but not averse to risk-taking.
- Can take risks.
- Greater the risk greater the motivation.
As it is apparent each question can be answered in five different ways. In order to assign more objectivity to the questionnaire I have allotted a score of 1 to 5 for each response [Table 1]. Response point allocation is in ascending order: A has 1 point, B 2, C 3, D 4 and E has 5. Total score ranges from 14 to 70. Based on the score one can attempt at objectively define a future career strategy [Table 2].
Lack of counseling on choosing a career path following the completion of training is a malady not just confined to India but affects even other accomplished nations. [1] Despite living in this technology-driven era where the world's most powerful careers are getting objectively defined by the INTERNET and the BLOG, references for 'Objective career planning for a resident pathologist' are virtually nonexistent on the WEB WORLD. This may be deemed as a modest attempt in the direction of reaching out to our universe: The WWW. I conclude on a humorous note by quoting Albert Einstein "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I am not sure about the universe". [2]
 Acknowledgment | |  |
Pathology residents who have sent personal mails of appreciation for the questionaire.
| References | | |
| 1. | Part of the information in this paper has been drawn from "Planning a Career Strategy" by Patrick C. Alguire, MD, FACP, Director, Education and Career Development, ACP (American College of Physicians). Available from: http://www.acponline.org/residents_fellows/career_counseling/planning.htm  |
| 2. | Available from: http://rescomp.stanford.edu/~cheshire/EinsteinQuotes.html |
Correspondence Address:
Sunil Jaiman
Sennelsgade 6, Først til højre (1th), 8900 Randers C
Denmark
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0377-4929.56125
[Table 1], [Table 2] |
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