Careers in Medicine (CiM) is a career planning program designed to help you choose a medical specialty and select and apply to a residency program. This four-phase process will guide you through the elements of career planning, including self-understanding, exploring a variety of medical careers, and finally choosing a specialty to meet your career objectives. People whose choice of careers matches their values, skills and interests tend to be more satisfied and successful in their working lives.

Other resources offered by CiM include:

Self-assessment tools including the Specialty Indecision Scale
Sample CVs
Frequently asked interview questions
Comprehensive listing of specialties and subspecialties

To obtain a CiM login contact Mitsue Yokota at myokota@mednet.ucla.edu .
CiM is for registered students only!

Click to connect to CiM (https://www.aamc.org/students/medstudents/cim/)

CHOICES is the quarterly Careers in Medicine Newsletter written and distributed by the AAMC. Check out the newest issue and archives here for in-depth information about specialties, hot topics in the Residency Application Process, and advice from advisors across the nation.

Ask the Advisor

I am a first year student and anxious to do well. Can you recommend any strategies for adjusting to and successfully navigating my first year in medical school?

I’m more than halfway through my third year, and none of the specialties I’ve rotated through have really excited (or dissuaded) me. Is there a specialty that’s right for me, and how do I find it?

In your opinion, what are the main reasons students don’t match, and how can I avoid being one of those students?

I didn’t anticipate getting so nervous before my first interview. It’s not at my dream program, but I still want to do well. Any tips on how to prepare and stay calm?

How important are board scores, and how are they used in the residency application and interview process?

I am trying to decide on a specialty and hope to make the right decision. But in case I don’t, how difficult is it to switch specialties during residency?

CHOICES Newsletter - August 2011

Spotlight on Specialties: Obstetrics-Gynecology

Ask the Advisor: How to successfully navigate the first year

Ask the Advisor: How to choose residency programs that best fit

Match Corner: Cleaning up the Scramble with SOAP