Choosing a Career
Career Planning Framework
UNC School of Medicine’s Career Development at Carolina (CDAC) Program parallels the structure of the AAMC’s Careers in Medicine (CiM) program, and is designed to expose students to medical specialties, guide career decision-making, and support residency placements.
The CiM four-phase career planning model is to be used as a framework for guiding physicians-in-training through the career exploration process to identify their fit and ultimately land in their next phase of training and, eventually, practice.
In following this model, CiM provides tools and information that help physicians-in-training consider their personal attributes and preferences alongside their career options to make effective decisions about their specialty and residency. Below are a short description of as well as a few highlighted tools and resources for each phase.
AAMC Careers in Medicine Website Tour
UNC School of Medicine Career Planning Process
- Goal: Explore and evaluate your passions, principles, and skills.
- Key Actions in this stage of career planning:
- Introduction to the UNC School of Medicine’s Career Development at Carolina Program (CDAC), Career Goal Advising Program and the AAMC’s Careers in Medicine (CiM) four-phase career planning process
- Attendance at Advisory College Lunches
- Meet with your college Advisor at least once each semester
- Completion of AAMC CiM self-assessments – focus on Medical Specialty Preference Inventory (MSPI), Physician Values in Practice Scale (PVIPS) , Physician Skills Inventory (PSI)
- Exploration of Student Engagement Opportunities, Curricular Pathway Programs, Academic Assistance & Advising Resources
- Become acquainted with the Career Counseling Specialty Guides
- Register for Career Opportunity Services Sessions (COSS) – the latest recording is also available under each specialty’s page
- Outcome: Plan your next steps for diving deeper into career areas that fit your values and passions.
- Goal: Explore specialty options and practice settings
- Key Actions in this stage of career planning:
- Research CiM resources which offers a starting point for learning about medical specialtiesby providing information and data on residency program requirements, competitiveness, workforce, compensation, and links to more information for each specialty.
- Narrow your specialty options, conduct in-depth research, and gain experience through rotations and electives in the specialties you’re considering.
- Continue to meet with your college Advisor and connect with a Career Goal Advisor
- Utilize the specialty guides for FAQs, Course Recommendations, Competitive Applicant descriptions, and CGA contact information
- Commit to your career journey by taking part in the Application Phase Career Development Series and Career Day. Review the Career Day breakout sessions recordings for interested specialties.
- Review UNC SOM and NRMP specialty data resources
- Office of Medical Student Research
- Network and Conduct Informational Interviews
- Explore Shadowing Opportunities : https://www.med.unc.edu/md/policies/wp-content/uploads/sites/883/2022/04/FINAL-Shadowing-Policy-on-letterhead.pdf
- Outcome: Begin clinical training with greater clarity on specialties and career direction, and connections to support your journey.
- Goal: Refine your specialty options
- Key Actions in this stage of career planning:
- Utilize resources available through the Application Phase Career Development Series and Career Day. Review the Career Day breakout sessions recordings for interested specialties.
- Attend workshops for 4th year planning, Indy Phase Scheduling, Electives Counseling, and VSLO
- Review Specialty Profiles for recommendations on course recommendations
- Continue to meet with college advisor and your chosen Career Goal Advisor
- Retake the AAMC CiM self-assessments
- Use clerkships to make specialty decisions
- Build a timeline for residency application process
- Create at least one profile in the CiM Residency Preference Exercise (RPE)
- Outcome: Optimize your use of mentoring and resources to feel confident in your specialty path.
- Goal: Successfully navigate the residency application process and Match
- Key Actions in this stage of career planning:
- Stay connected with your college and career advisors to make the most of their expertise in specialty planning
- Participate in the SOM Mock Interviews
- Finalize your noteworthy characteristics for the MSPE letter, personal statement, and CV
- Utilize Specialty Data and Reports and Resources
- Track interviews
- Submit residency applications
- Rank Order List