Page 21 - Layout 1

MEDICAL SCHOOL
EVALUATION & GRADUATION
The Journey After

Medical School Graduation

By Eesha S. Farooqi, MD

After spending several years on a carved
out, step-by-step path of classes, exams and
familiar procedure, the post-medical training
world becomes quite intimidating. I remem-
ber very distinctly when and where this real-
ization had occurred to me, and it has never
faded since.
It was a few months into our final year of
pediatrics residency when a few of my col-
leagues and I were sitting around my living
room after a typical foodie frenzy, holding
onto our full stomachs with eyes half open.
In that relaxed moment, we began to discuss
future plans and what we wanted to do after
residency when suddenly we all paused at al-
most the exact same time. It hit us that we
generally knew what we wanted to do (pedi-
atrics of course!) and the overall setting (in-
patient vs. outpatient). However, the specifics
were entirely blank with large question marks
in its place. Which city? Which state?
Should we stay here in familiar territory or tion. The world was full of options. The post-training medical world is truly
move and start somewhere new? What type As a group, our residency class later re- its own challenge, applying technical med-
of group/organization should we join, quested an informational session with a rep- ical knowledge to a constantly changing
whether private owned or larger? What do resentative from a local hiring company. We world. This first year out, I have realized it
we look for in a contract? Suddenly, after were able to learn about contracts, terminol- requires constant reading, layers on layers of
years of being guided and told what we ogy, standard benefits, negotiation, etc. as self-confidence, close patient relationships
needed to do to achieve ‘xyz goal,’ we were well as fellowship career paths. All helped to and a lot of patience. However, it becomes
now free to do exactly what we pleased and relieve some anxiety, but for many of us that significantly worth it when that one family
go wherever we desired, but ironically, with were not doing fellowships, there was still a or that one child ends their statement with
very little knowledge about how to do so suc- lingering dread of the unknown awaiting us a genuine “thank you,” and you get that soul-
cessfully. Our simultaneous pause that day in on the other side of residency. Where would ful positive boost you needed to keep on
my living room summed up a combination of we even start looking for jobs? moving ahead. I hope to continue to grow as
excitement, fear, anxiety and relief — all con- Luckily, in addition to the typical job a physician with each patient and with the
tradictory feelings which did not sit well with sites, the American Academy of Pediatrics support of my colleagues, not just in the
our full stomachs. regularly conducted virtual job fairs which clinic but in the community as a whole. I
That day, we discussed various options gave residents access to nationwide job look forward to another year of practicing
about job type, location and life goals, and openings and a chance to chat directly with and another year of new experiences.
felt a little more at ease as we chipped away the representative about their questions. I
at the specifics of our ideal career. For many attended a fall session and found my way to Eesha S. Farooqi, MD is a Pedia-
of us, this was the first true job application ABCD Pediatrics through that platform. I trician in Bexar County and is a
and also the first true time where we were have been truly grateful for that opportu- member of the Bexar County Med-
not in a desperate "pick me, pick me" posi- nity since then. ical Society.

Visit us at www.bcms.org 21