Introduction
Modeled after the AAMC Careers in Medicine Program, Harvard Medical School (HMS) provides longitudinal, phase-based career planning. Students are encouraged to begin their career assessment through the AAMC Careers in Medicine online program. Students need a credential/ID number to login and participate, which will be given at the beginning of their first academic year.
Coinciding with all of these opportunities is an advising relationship developed with the Society Advisors throughout students’ tenure at HMS and with the PCE and Post-PCE specialty advisors during the clinical portion of the curriculum.
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HMS Careers in Medicine Program
- Preclerkship (Pre-PCE) Phase: Understanding Yourself
- PCE (Principal Clinical Experience) Phase: Exploring Options
- Post-PCE Phase: Choosing a Specialty and Road to Residency
Upcoming Career Planning Sessions
View specific events listed in the career planning program calendar.
Women in Medicine Program
The Women in Medicine career panel series offers an opportunity to learn about the professional paths of women in the medical field.
Careers in Independent and Private Practice
In the Careers in Independent and Private Practice panel series, HMS alumni who have built an independent practice and who are part of an established private practice share highlights and challenges of their career paths.
General Advising
Spanning all years, faculty and staff support HMS students through mentorship and enrichment opportunities in both individual and group settings.
Every student attends formal one-on-one advisory sessions during each phase of the curriculum for a combination of academic, career, and life advising. In addition to the formal, required advising sessions, students are encouraged to schedule informal advising sessions as well.
Students take advantage of the resources available to them throughout their training at HMS to help them shape their individual medical career experience.
Career Planning by Curricular Phase
Preclerkship (Pre-PCE)
Career planning in the first 14-18 months of medical school introduces students to a plethora of career paths. Students are encouraged to explore their interests and career aspirations, address any challenges and obstacles they may face while pursuing their career goals, and learn to maintain a personal and professional life balance.
Understanding Yourself
Self-exploration is essential to a satisfying specialty choice. During the HMS Preclerkship (Pre-PCE) phase, students establish connections with mentors and advisors, as well as explore specialty interests via:
- Specialty-specific Resources (Specialty Liaisons, HMS Student Interest Groups, National Organizations and Specialty Interest Series Career Sessions)
- Clinician Scientist Series
- Conversations in Medical Life Series
- Pathways Professional Development Week (PDW)
Students can utilize the AAMC Careers in Medicine Program for detailed resources on self-exploration and exploring career options. (AAMC Careers in Medicine login required)
Group Career Planning
“Lessons Learned Along the Way”
Annual presentation on professional and personal life balance presented by the Director of Career Advising.
Specialty Interest Series
A career seminar series that brings clinicians from affiliated hospitals to HMS for panel discussions on a specialty. Seminars are offered approximately biweekly, with representation of 19 specialties covered over the course of the year. A session on alternative medical careers is also offered. The series is moderated by the Director of Career Advising. Specialty specific session information can be found within the Specialty Interest Pages.
Student Specialty Interest Groups
The Student Specialty Interest Groups fall under the umbrella of the Careers in Medicine Program at HMS, in collaboration with HMS/HSDM Student Council. These groups provide students with opportunities to be introduced to and familiarized with their specialty interest(s) as they work to choose a specialty and undergo a successful residency Match. Interest groups host talks and provide opportunities to bring together students and faculty with shared interests in a particular specialty. Specialty Interest Group information can be found within the Specialty Interest Pages.
Specialty Mentoring
Often offered directly following the Special Interest Series seminars, drop-in small group meetings for students with faculty/resident specialty speakers provide career networking opportunities and early exposure to various specialties.
Pathways: Professional Development Week (PDW)
During Year I, students in the Pathways curriculum take part in a Professional Development Week in which they engage in assessment, feedback and self-reflection activities related to clinical skills. These experiences help students at an early stage in their medical education reflect on various components of practicing medicine and provide guidance for developing individualized learning plans. Students complete the Introduction to Careers in Medicine AAMC survey and career assessment during PDW.
USMLE Step I Support Session
This session provides an overview of how to prepare for USMLE Step 1 (including taking a practice exam, making time to evolve study approaches, suggesting resources) in a panel discussion in which senior students share lessons learned, study strategies, resources and thoughts on balancing work and personal life throughout the Step 1 study period. Presented by the Director of the Office of Learning Resources and Support.
Pathways: Finding Your Specialty: A Roadmap on How to Get There from Those Who Travelled the Path Before You
Senior students discuss how first-years can begin to prepare for PCE, how to get the most out of it, how to optimize time on clerkships and beyond, to explore specialty selection, when to think about research or other degrees, and how to make career decisions. Note: First-year dental students have a separate career session at the same time, organized by the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) Student Affairs Office.
London/Health Sciences and Technology (HST) Career Planning Dinners
The London Society hosts dinners open to HST MD students in all years during the fall and spring registration period. HST alumni present their career paths; students and faculty meet for dinner thereafter.
Health Sciences and Technology (HST) Dinners
HST hosts a dinner each fall and spring, which is open to all HST students (MD, MEMP PhD, & GEMS) in all years. These events provide an opportunity for students to network with their peers, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as hear a talk from a leading innovator in the field.
Conversations in Medical Life Series
This enrichment series is offered twice a year and provides information and ideas to help students flourish in their professional and personal lives.
Clinician Scientist Series
This career series is offered three to four times per year, featuring guest speakers with significant accomplishments in both medicine and research.
Alternative Medical Careers
Alternative Medicine Career Panel
Questions asked of panelists:
- What opportunities did you participate in and when that developed your interest in the alternative/additional career path you pursued?
- Discuss the timing and evolution of the alternative career path you pursued and do you have a suggestion on the best path to make such a career path successful?
- How do you balance your personal and professional life?
AAMC Resources
Options for medical careers other than clinical medicine
Administration, Research, Teaching, Military Medicine, Executive, Consulting and Non-clinical Careers
Fifth-year Option
- Student Handbook links: Pathways and HST
- Applying for funding
- Fifth-year Option Information Session
Dual Degrees
Office of Scholarly Engagement Information Sessions
- Master of Public Health (MPH) Session – Learn about the MPH degree from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and how it fits into the MD curriculum.
- Master of Public Policy (MPP) Session – Learn about the MPP degree at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and how it fits into the MD curriculum.
- MD/MBA Session – Learn about the joint MD/MBA with HMS and Harvard Business School (HBS).
Principal Clinical Experience (PCE)
During the 12 months of the Principal Clinical Experience, students rotate through eight core clerkships at their assigned clinical sites. Throughout their clerkships, students have opportunities to immerse themselves within the various specialties. Career exploration can help students narrow down their specialty interests to a few choices.
Each student in the PCE is assigned to a hospital-based mentor. Students continue to meet with their assigned society advisors, who can assist them through their goals and the guidelines of the AAMC Careers in Medicine career planning program. HST students have a formal advising meeting twice during their PCE.
Exploring Options
Knowing about all career options that exist ensures well-informed decisions. During the PCE (Principal Clinical Experience) Phase, students begin planning for the Post-PCE Phase by meeting with their PCE and Society Advisors and have opportunities to explore within specialties through specialty-specific resources, residency panels and boards review sessions.
Students can continue to utilize the AAMC Careers in Medicine Program for detailed resources on self-exploration and exploring career options. (AAMC Careers in Medicine login required)
Group Career Planning Curriculum
Group career planning includes various class meetings and pertinent panel presentations aligned with the curriculum.
| September | Effective Communication on the Wards This session provides students with the tools to foster clear and effective communication on the wards, particularly when challenging situations arise. |
| February/March | Class Meeting: Post-PCE Preparation for Pathways Overview of the Post-PCE curriculum and update on the clinical assessment program, hosted by the Dean for Students and the Dean for Medical Education. Class Meeting: London/HST Rising 3rd Years For more information, contact the HST Director of Administration. |
| April | Retake "Careers in Medicine" AAMC survey |
| May | Seniors who have done Fifth-Year research, received fellowships, or are enrolled in another degree program serve as panelists and share their experiences in a session moderated by the Director of Career Advising. More information on fifth-year funding and combined degrees can be found through the Office of Scholarly Engagement. Fifth-year Options (HST) For more information, contact the HST Director of Administration. |
| June | This session provides an overview of how to prepare for USMLE Step 1 (including taking a practice exam, making time to evolve study approaches, suggesting resources) in a panel discussion in which senior students share lessons learned, study strategies, resources and thoughts on balancing work and personal life throughout the Step 1 study period. Presented by the Director of the Office of Learning Resources and Support. |
| July | How I Chose My Specialty: General Approach to Study Cards A session for all PCE students in which fourth-year students talk about what comes next after PCE, including how to set up elective choices and how they decided their specialty selection after taking Step 1. Moderated by the Director of Career Advising. |
Post-PCE
Career identification and preparation for residency take place during this phase of medical school. Students decide what specialty or specialties to pursue and undergo the process to secure a residency program.
Choosing a specialty and road to residency
Making a career choice that makes you happy is harder than you think. During the Post-PCE phase of the curriculum, students make their specialty selection and identify a Specialty Advisor. Students continue meeting with Society Advisors and begin preparation for the Road to Residency.
Specialty-specific Resources are individual HMS-created pages that contain ways for students to connect to Specialty Liaisons, Student Interest Groups and National Organizations, as well as explore and prepare for the residency application process.
Students can utilize the AAMC Careers in Medicine Program for detailed resources on choosing a specialty and preparing for residency. (AAMC Careers in Medicine login required)
Group Career Planning Curriculum
Year III – Year Before Graduation Year
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| January | Class Meeting: The Road to Residency (Part I) Rising 4th-year students learn about the year ahead from the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)onward, including how to choose a specialty, the process and timeline for the residency application, preparing and taking USMLE Step 2 CK, opportunities for advanced and away electives, meeting mandatory requirements and building a relationship with advisors. Presented by the Dean for Students and the Director of Career Advising. How to Create a Competitive Residency Application: Opinions from Our Experts (Four-part series) A panel of residency directors at Harvard-affiliated hospitals speak to rising 4th-year students about the qualities of highly competitive, strong applications in each of the main specialties. Topics include: USMLE Step scores; grades; research and publications; when to take a fifth- year for research; advice for Personal Statements and Letters of Recommendation; when to expect invitations for interviews; post-interview protocol; recommended 4th-year electives and when away-electives or clinical research are recommended in each of the fields. Moderated by the Director of Career Advising. A Specialties Fair follows each panel discussion. |
| April | Class Meeting: The Road to Residency (Part II) A presentation on the Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE) process, application timeline, AAMC Careers in Medicine and application resources. Presented by the Dean for Students and Director of Career Advising. Society and Specialty Advising Meetings: Career Selection Students will meet with their advisor to discuss steps for residency application. USMLE Step II CK Preparation Workshop Overview of critical preparation for USMLE Step 2 CK (practice exam, reevaluation of approach, resources). A student panel discusses study strategies, study resources, and study schedules. Presented and moderated by the Director of the Office of Learning Resources and Support. |
| May | Personal Statements, Letters of Recommendation and CV Workshop Workshop on how to develop effective, strong personal statements and Curriculum Vitae (CV), as well as the timeline and process of requesting Letters of Recommendations, identifying recommendation letter-writers and determining what information to provide to letter-writers. Presented by Society Advisors. |
Year IV – Graduation Year
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| June | Applying to Residency Using Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) Overview of need-to-know aspects of the application process and ERAS, with a focus on application timelines, sections of ERAS, applicant check-list, monitoring your application, registering for Match and reviewing important resources. Presented by Dean for Students and ERAS Coordinator. |
| September | Introduction to the Residency Interview Process Workshop on general residency interviewing tips, types of interview questions, post-interview communication and additional important resources pertaining to the interview process. Presented by the Dean for Students. Residency Practice Interviews Students are matched with residents, HMS Society Advisors, and faculty from area hospitals, who are not members of the residency selection committee, based on their specialty choice, for two 25-minute practice residency interviews, including time for feedback. During these exercises, students can sharpen their interviewing skills, practice answering difficult or unforeseen questions, learn to present or explain certain aspects of their background and present themselves and demonstrate their genuine interest in a program. |
| January | A diverse panel of residents from area hospitals discuss the factors and considerations that went into creating their own personal rank lists, including topics such as post-interview communication, comparing programs, information gathering, couples match considerations and matching in a different geographic region. Moderated by the Director of Career Advising. |
| March | Match Day Match Day is an annual nationwide event at which students learn which residency program they will be attending. It is coordinated by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) in Washington, DC. Match Day takes place in mid-March. |
| May | A panel of residents representing the main specialties share their specialty-specific experiences from their intern year, the first year of GME (graduate medical education) training. Topics on how to prepare for the intern year include: first day and first-week experiences; responsibilities of an intern; team relationships with hospital personnel; communication, professionalism, confidentiality, conferences, order writing; ideas for increasing efficiency; procedures interns perform; drug dose determination; most common problems for which interns are paged and how to respond; useful technologies; finding mentors; selecting publishable research projects; teaching roles; strategies for staying organized (time management, list of to-do’s on patients); maintaining work-life balance; and what the panelists wish they had known as new interns. Moderated by the Director of Career Advising. |
Individual Career Planning
Dean for Students
Preclerkship, PCE, Post-PCEThe Dean for Students works with students across all years and all Societies to explore ways to enhance or address aspects of the entire student experience, from education to student life to career planning, and works with students to develop innovative solutions to issues and concerns. The Office of Student Affairs features a career planning nook with Match resources, HMS-specific Match data, post-Match surveys, advisor list and specialty-specific resources.
Society Advisor
Preclerkship, PCEAll students are assigned to an Academic Society and a society-specific primary advisor who acts as a "Primary Care Physician" of the advising team. The society advisor serves as a liaison to curricular, extra-curricular, research, career and specialty advisors throughout a student's journey at Harvard Medical School. Advisors help with finding a mentor and shadowing experiences, specialty choices, and the residency application process: MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation) guidance, obtaining Letters of Recommendation, reviewing Personal Statements, filling out application sections and preparing for interviews.
Students typically meet with their advisors multiple times during the Post-PCE with the following goals:
- Strategic planning of fourth-year schedules
- Identifying career choices and planning for the residency application process
- Providing guidance on writing Personal Statements and CVs, obtaining Letters of Recommendation, completing residency applications, preparing for residency interviews, and creating a rank order list
- Guidance with components of the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
AAMC Careers in Medicine Program
Preclerkship, PCE, Post-PCEStudents can utilize the AAMC Careers in Medicine Program for detailed resources on self-exploration, exploring career options, choosing a specialty and preparing for residency. (AAMC Careers in Medicine login required)
Specialty Mentors
Preclerkship, PCE, Post-PCEEvery year graduates list specialty mentors and advisors within their HMS Post-Match Survey responses. These can be found under each specialty category in the report. This report is not comprehensive and students can reach out to other advisors to help them identify additional specialty mentors. (HarvardKey authentication required)
Shadowing Opportunities
PreclerkshipPreclerkship (Pre-PCE) students who wish to engage in shadowing opportunities with clinicians and researchers in specialties of interest may contact their Academic Society, Career Planning staff, the Office of Scholarly Engagement (OSE) or the Dean for Students for assistance.
Residency Application Advisor
Post-PCEToward the beginning of a student's graduation year, a faculty member in the specialty of interest will be selected to serve as the Residency Application Advisor. This advisor provides "specialty care" in the match process by supporting students throughout the residency application process.
Example topics:
- Developing personal criteria to identify residency programs
- Selecting writers of letters of recommendation
- Working out an strategy for interviews and post-interview protocols
- Reviewing rank lists
Residency Application Advisors List (HarvardKey authentication required)
Alumni Advisors
PCE, Post-PCEHMS has formed a network of 400 alumni from throughout the US and some international locations representing a spectrum of medical specialties. They might be available for an email exchange, a phone call, a visit or shadowing at their workplace. Students may reach out to alumni at any time during their medical school career. Prior to the residency application process, students may check in with these alumni before interviews for specific details about particular hospitals, programs and careers.
To connect with Alumni Advisors, send the Alumni Liaison a short description of your inquiry and/or interests. The liaison will find someone to help you. (HarvardKey authentication required)
Leadership
Interim Dean for Students
Advisory Dean and Director
William Augustus Hinton Society
Director of Career Advising
Assistant Director of Student Affairs