Physicians Personal Career Inventory
Physicians Personal Career
Inventory
By Steven Babitsky
Many physicians are reconsidering their career choices. As high as 20% of physicians are dissatisfied with their current practices and are contemplating leaving clinical practice or making significant career changes.
Physicians who are considering a career transition are best served by taking a personal career inventory. This will force physicians to assess their current situation.
Physicians should consider:
1.
The Level of Support from Their
Spouse/Significant Other
Career experts agree that physicians who have the support of their
spouse/significant other are much more likely to make a successful
career transition. This discussion may be complex in that spouses may
rightly be concerned about finances and how the family will replace
his/her income from practicing medicine.
Sophisticated spouses who know all
too well the reality of declining income and longer hours are now asking
a different question: “How much money is the family losing by
having the physician not leaving an unsatisfying practice”?
These families now realize that the examples of physicians who have left
clinical practice and have succeeded in business is growing
exponentially.
Drew Senyei, MD left clinical medicine, obtained patents, and started Enterprise Partners Venture Capital which has helped build 155 companies and has over $750 million in capital under management.
Dr. Michael J. McLauglin, MD was a plastic surgeon and attended Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians, a course designed to help physicians with the transition process. Dr. McLaughlin started and is chief scientific officer of Peleton Advantage, a highly successful medical communications company.
Physicians who have made the transition do so in large part for their families and lifestyle. In their new positions they can spend more time with their spouse and children and can schedule vacations, trips and family time without the fear of constant interruption. They no longer have to constantly leave the dinner table disappointing their families.
Lesson:
Making sure your significant other supports
your decision will substantially increase the chances of a smooth,
successful career transition.
2.
Desire to Relocate?
The physician and his family will have to decide how much flexibility
they have with regard to possible relocation. What, if any geographic
limitations does the family have? Are there children to consider?
Their ages, and current schooling situation may impact the degree of
geographic flexibility of the family. Several geographic limitations
may limit the career opportunities of the physician.
Lesson:
Decide how much geographic flexibility you have and if you are willing
to relocate to change to a non-clinical or other position.
3.
Financial Situation
The physician considering a career transition should take a long hard
look at the family financial situation. Questions that need to be
answered are:
A. What is your current financial situation?
B. How long can you go without income if you need to?
C. How much money will you need to make you happy in a new
position?
D. Is your spouse willing and able to help during this
transition period?
Lesson
Take a long, hard realistic look at your
finances and decide how much you need to earn to be happy.
4.
What are your strengths, skills and
abilities?
Physicians need to critically and honestly
rate themselves (1-10 with 10 being the highest)
·
Ability to Deal with Complex
Situations ____
·
Ability to Motivate
people ____
·
Ability to
Multi-Task ____
·
Ability to
Prioritize ____
·
Ability to Work
Independently ____
·
Analytical
Abilities ____
·
Attention to
Detail ____
·
Calm under
Fire ____
·
Commitment to
Job ____
·
Communication
Skills ____
·
Computer
Literacy ____
·
Computer
Skills ____
·
Deal Successfully with
Adversity ____
·
Deal Well with
Stress/Pressure ____
·
Dependable ____
·
Driven by
Excellence ____
·
Driven
Dedicated ____
·
Excellent Interpersonal
Skills ____
·
Excellent
Judgment ____
·
Excellent Presentation
Skills ____
·
Excellent Project Management
Skills ____
·
Excellent Written
Skills ____
·
Flexibility ____
·
Good Active
Listener ____
·
Handle Fast Paced Work
Environment ____
·
Hard
Worker ____
·
High Level of Integrity and
Honesty ____
·
Intelligence ____
·
Leadership
Skills ____
·
Love New
Challenges ____
·
Manage Functional
Groups ____
·
Management
Experience ____
·
Meet or Exceed Time
Deadlines ____
·
Negotiation
Skills ____
·
Passion for
Learning ____
·
Pragmatic ____
·
Provide
Leadership ____
·
Provide
Solutions ____
·
Public
Speaking ____
·
Quick
Study ____
·
Record of
Success ____
·
Teacher ____
·
Team
Player ____
·
Tenacity and
Perseverance ____
·
Work in Matrixed
Environment ____
·
Works Well as Part of a
Team ____
·
Works Well in Time Sensitive
Environment ____
Lesson
Physicians need to review their scores looking for patterns, strengths
and weaknesses. (ex.) How are your presentations, communication
skills? If they are strong this will be an asset. If they are not you
may have to work to improve these skills to succeed in business or in
non-clinical positions
5.
Additional Training
Physicians should consider whether they want/need additional training,
certifications/degrees.
This decision will include
answering the following questions:
A. Would you consider pursuing additional
education/training/degrees?
B. How many years are you willing to devote to obtaining
these additional education, training, or degrees?
C. What additional training are you considering or would
you consider?
D. Why are you considering this additional training
education?
E. What does your spouse/significant other think about
this additional training?
Lesson
The decision about additional training is a significant one. Obtaining
this training can be expensive and time consuming.
6.
What is your passion?
Physicians in career transition will often be advised to follow a
passion. When one moves towards a passion instead of running away from
a bad situation they are much more likely to succeed and be happy with
their choice.
Physicians should consider 5 careers/jobs that they would enjoy and feel passionate about. This will help narrow the many possibilities available to physicians.
Lesson
Move toward a passion that you will enjoy.
7.
What makes you unique?
Physicians in career transition will have to decide and be able to
explain what makes them unique. What are you really good at? What
transferable skills to you bring to a new position/career?
Lesson
Physicians need to be able to confidently
articulate and answer one question, “Why should we hire you”?
Conclusion
Physicians who are considering a career
transition should take a critical look at their current situation. They
should be prepared to take a personal career
inventory.
Physicians who start their transition with an honest look at their current situation, abilities, talents and passions will be on the way to a successful career transition.
About the Author
Steven Babitsky, Esq. is the President of
SEAK, Inc.,
www.seak.com. He is one of the seminar leaders for the
SEAK 2008
Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians Conference (October 2-5, 2008 on
Cape Cod, MA). Steven himself made
a successful career transition at age 44 and is a recovering attorney.