Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Maximise your time at medical school

Emily HunsHead of QM Careers(Your new Medical Adviser is Mr. Vincent Potter)

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Maximising your time

• Aside from working hard and doing well academically…

• Understand what it takes to be a good doctor and start developing those skills

• Start gathering information to help you decide what you want to specialise in

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What makes a good doctor?

• Medical knowledge

• Clinical skills

What else?

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Looking ahead

• Structured academic learning → self-directed, on-the-job training

• Check out the FY1 application form — you will need to be ready to answer questions like thiswww.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk

MBBSFoundation programme

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What they looked for in 2008

• Academic & non-academic achievements

• Managing pressure and challenges• Team working• Professional behaviour• Non-clinical influences on patient care• Managing your own learning needs• Reflective practice

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Looking further ahead

• General training → specialist track to registrar & consultant level

• Check out the C/ST person specifications www.mmc.nhs.uk

Specialty training

Foundation programme

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What they look for

• Clinical knowledge & expertise• Research & teaching skills• Vigilance & situational awareness• Communication skills• Problem solving & decision making• Managing/leading others & team involvement• Empathy & sensitivity• Organising & planning• Coping with pressure• Professional integrity• Commitment to specialty

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Think carefully about…

• Electives• Selective Study Modules (SSMs)• Firms (clinical placements)• Intercalated BSc/BMedSci• Volunteer work• Vacation work• Student representatives• Clubs & societies

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What do you want to be?

AllergyAnaestheticsAudiological MedicineCardiologyCardiothoracic SurgeryChemical PathologyChild & Adolescent PsychiatryClinical GeneticsClinical NeurophysiologyClinical OncologyClinical Pharmacology & TherapeuticsClinical RadiologyDermatologyEmergency MedicineEndocrinology & Diabetes MellitusForensic PsychiatryGastroenterologyGeneral Adult Psychiatry

General Internal MedicineGeneral PracticeGeneral SurgeryGenito-urinary MedicineGeriatric MedicineHaematologyHistopathologyImmunologyInfectious DiseasesIntensive Care MedicineMedical Microbiology & VirologyMedical OncologyNeurologyNeurosurgeryNuclear MedicineObstetrics & GynaecologyOccupational MedicineOld Age Psychiatry

OphthalmologyOral & Maxillo-facial SurgeryOtolaryngology (ENT)Paediatric CardiologyPaediatric SurgeryPaediatricsPalliative MedicinePlastic SurgeryPsychiatry of Learning DisabilityPsychotherapyPublic Health MedicineRehabilitation MedicineRenal MedicineRespiratory MedicineRheumatologyTrauma & Orthopaedic SurgeryUrology

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What do you want to be?

• Medical specialties• Surgical specialties• Psychiatry• General practice• Paediatrics and child health• Obstetrics and gynaecology• Pathology• Radiology• Anaesthetics• Ophthalmology• Academic medicine

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What is driving your choice?

Autonomy

Prestige

Challenge

Work-life balance

StressCollaboration

Friendly colleagues

Patient contact

Applying knowledge

Problem solvingLearning

Variety

Security

Resources

Type of patient

Development potential Flexibility

SkillsSuccess rate

Fun

Continuity of care

Risks

Breadth

Options

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Turning the tables

• Imagine each specialty is represented by a different person

• They have to prove that their specialty is worthy of your choice

• You have the chance to interview each specialty in depth

• What questions will you ask?

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Good starter questions

• What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

• What do you enjoy least?• How did you choose your specialty?• What does it take to succeed in this area

of medicine?• How are communication skills* important

in your specialty?*or any other competencies

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Making life harder for yourself

• Rely on accidental knowledge

• Leave things to fate

• Rely on superficial knowledge

• Rely on other people’s opinions

• Leave things to the last moment

• Think only in the short term

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Diagnosing your career

• Survey your options – Awareness of the range of specialties

• Know your criteria – What will make a real difference for you?

• Investigate in depth – Get as much insight as you can

• Evaluate your options – Weigh your choices and listen to your heart

• Review your evidence and take action – Get the skills and experience you need

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Useful resources

• www.cxdx.qmul.ac.uk• www.careers.lon.ac.uk• www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk• www.mmc.nhs.uk• www.gprecruitment.org.uk• www.pmetb.org.uk• careers.bmj.com• www.nhscareers.nhs.uk• www.medicalcareers.nhs.uk• sci59.open.ac.uk

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

17Queen Mary Careers ServiceWG3 Queens Building – 020 7882 5065

Part of

www.careers.qmul.ac.uk

Tuesday 3rd March 16.30-17.30Perrin Lecture Theatre

Make the most of your summer vacationWhat should I do?How will it help my future?What should my vacation CV look like?

Diary date:

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

18Queen Mary Careers ServiceWG3 Queens Building – 020 7882 5065

Opening times:Monday-Thursday 10.30am-5pmFriday 10.30am-4pm

Drop-in sessions:Monday-Thursday 10.30am-12.30pm

2.00pm-4.30pm

Email: careers@qmul.ac.uk

Part of

www.careers.qmul.ac.uk