Strategic Career Planning in Academic Medicine: A Roadmap to Success

Strategic Career Planning in Academic Medicine: A Roadmap to Success

I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING

As I started out in academic medicine, I was excited, eager to make my mark, and woefully unclear on how to hold onto my precious free time. I knew that I wanted to study and publish outcomes in sleep surgery,  teach and mentor residents, be invited to speak far and wide, and raise a family. BUT, I really didn’t have any idea how to do that! So I put my nose to the grindstone and worked on becoming the best clinician that I could. I learned my craft, started measuring outcomes that I thought mattered in clinic, and put my efforts into the national organization that I thought gave me the most value.  

I reached out to senior people in the field to figure out what questions were important to answer and where the gaps in knowledge were. And, I used this information to set up a game plan and vision of where I wanted to go. 

I must say the plan has absolutely wavered and wandered from the original one, but the visions have been consistent: 1) improve the care of OSA treatment for children and 2) help guide the way for trainees and colleagues through mentorship and coaching. 

If you are working to make an academic career work, planning can expedite your journey and help you preserve some of that personal time that I sacrificed. 

Why Career Planning Matters

Longevity and Happiness: In working with people for 2 decades, I have found that strategic career planning is your ticket to sticking around and staying happy in this academic life. It's all about making sure your career path lines up with what you want out of your life and career. And integrating the two takes some work!

Adapting to Change: The medical world is constantly evolving. New tech, new treatments, new rules—and change is the only constant. So being ready for change is one key to a happy and successful career. And a solid plan keeps you nimble and ready for new opportunities.

Crushing Your Goals: A strategic plan should serve as your roadmap, guiding you toward achieving your professional aspirations. Nothing feels better than checking off the small steps that are marching you towards your big goals whether you are submitting for promotion or to leading a research project. 

Want to climb the academic ladder? You need goals, my friend. A plan gives you the roadmap to snag that tenure or lead those groundbreaking studies.

Steps to Create a Strategic Career Plan

1. Know Yourself: Take a good, hard look in the mirror. What are you good at? What do you love? Knowing yourself is step one and the most critical step. I have worked with people who talked about wanting to be known for a certain area of focus but spent all their clinical or research time pursuing/publishing/presenting in other areas. This makes it really hard for others to understand what your area of interest is. And it is even harder to get invited to speak on a panel or at a meeting when no one knows your niche.

This assessment may involve a formal process where you look at your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. Or it may involve some soul searching regarding where your interests lie and what gets you most excited.

2. Know Your Speciality: If you already know that you have an interest in a specific area or have a clear research focus, that is great! If not, it is important to get a feel of where the opportunities might be to quickly make a name for yourself. This may involve selecting a niche where there is a lot of opportunity or many unanswered questions. 

If you do not yet know where the gaps are,  get out there (physically or virtually) and see what's going on in your field. I recommend that you talk to people, especially senior leaders who may have great insight regarding trends and needs. It is also really useful to go to conferences and see what people are talking about both inside and outside the meeting. In addition, networking with colleagues locally and at professional events/meetings can provide great insights into emerging trends and opportunities.

3. Know Your Goals: Goals keep you focused and hungry and repeated accomplishment of your goals builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment. 

Last week I discussed how to make attainable goals (follow this link).  One of the most useful frameworks is the SMART format which consists of goals that are —specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. In an ideal world, goals should make you stretch and do things that are not too easily carried out. And you should keep  your ultimate vision in mind to be sure that you are focused on goals that get you to your big goals - like getting promoted or understanding the role of the microbiome in the gut. 

4. Sharpen Your Skills: Figure out what you need to know and then go learn it. This  may be a new clinical skill, how to code effectively in clinic, how to write a grant application or how to run your team effectively. Consider including requests for these items in your contract (when possible) if they are high ticket items like a degree or certification or an ongoing expense like coaching. Other areas where skill development may be useful include research methodologies, leadership, and communication.

5. Know Your Mentors: Everyone needs a wise sage to show them the ropes and having more than one of them is even better.  Ideally a mentor will provide guidance, feedback, and support in the area where you need it. You may find that clinical mentors are separate from mentors in work life integration or advancement within a certain society. When looking for mentors make sure they are genuinely committed to the relationship and that you like each other enough to spend time together.  For more information,  check out this previous blog on how to find a good mentor as well as this post on how to be a good mentee. 

6. Evaluate Your Progress: Just as it is important to set career goals, it is also critical that you regularly evaluate your career progress against those goals. This will allow you to assess the goals themself as well as determine if you are spending your time in the areas that you enjoy and will get you ahead. Be prepared to adjust your plan as you gain new experiences and as the landscape of academic medicine evolves! 

Tips for Climbing the Ladder

• Publishing and Research: Focus on building a strong publication record. Seeking opportunities for research funding and collaborations will bolster your academic profile.
• Networking: Engage in your academic community. Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and participate in online forums to build your network.
• Professional Development: Continuously seek opportunities for professional development. Workshops and conferences not only enhance your skills but also increase your visibility in the field.
• Visibility: Increasing your visibility through speaking engagements, panel discussions, and committee contributions. These raise your profile and can lead to new opportunities.

• Work-Life Integration: Striving for a balance that supports your well-being and allows you to enjoy personal time alongside your professional commitments.

Strategic career planning is essential in navigating the complex landscape of academic medicine. By taking a proactive approach to career development, setting clear goals, and continuously adapting your plan, you can achieve a fulfilling and successful career. Remember, the journey is as important as the destination so share your wins and your struggles with friends, family, colleagues, and mentors. Here is to your success!

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