Making Your Way: Shaping a Career Trajectory Angela Jackson, MD Associate Dean, Office of Student Affairs Associate Professor of Medicine Boston University School of Medicine

Career Trajectory What defines your career’s direction? –Serendipity (Opportunities) –Planned course and systematic progress –Both ?… –Job satisfaction vs Promotion? –Job variety

Making Your Way: Today’s Session 1.Inventory of your experiences and expectations 2.Self Assessment 3.Career Mapping

Key Steps in Career Development Self assessment Self promotion Identifying Opportunities

Key Steps in Career Development Self assessment Self promotion Identifying Opportunities Help from your mentor.

Key Steps in Career Development Self assessment Self promotionSelf promotion Identifying Opportunities

Self Assessment To thine own self be true… –Skills: What do I do well? What can I improve? What do I want to do? –Knowledge: What do I know? What do I want to know? What do I need to know? –Interests: What do I like? –Values: What is important to me?

Values: What is really matters to you?  Flexibility  Location  Lifestyle  Relationships - Professional - Personal  Autonomy  Money  Service  Innovation  Reputation  Stability

Skills: Knowledge: Interests: Values:

Putting it Together –Are you developing SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE in the areas that INTEREST you? –Do your VALUES seem consistent with your SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, and INTERESTS? –What is missing? What doesn’t fit?

Controlling Serendipity- Plot your Trajectory 1.Career Map 2.Milestones 3.Mentors

CAREER MAPPING Future date: Obstacles Challenges Detours (Plan B) Today’s date: Major Steps Milestones Resources Mentor’s role

Career Mapping –Steps: Start: Define where you are Destination: Define where you want to be Explore alternate routes Plan for potential potholes and detours Milestones: Are you making progress?

Milestones: Marking your Progress Short term - Intermediate - Long-term SMART goals ( –S - specific, significant, stretching –M - measurable, meaningful, motivational –A - attainable, achievable –R - realistic, relevant, rewarding –T - timely

CAREER MAPPING Future date: Obstacles Challenges Detours (Plan B) Today’s date: Major Steps Milestones Resources Mentor’s role

Career Mapping Take the wheel: self-knowledge Tool: mold opportunities that come your way –Transform assigned tasks into opportunities –Recognize progress or lack of progress –Correct course –Fill in the gaps

Road Rules Find a niche “Make it count twice” “Low impact, high yield” Network Be visible; be respected; be indispensable Get recognized for what you do – self- promotion

Keeping Track of Your Progress Portfolio for Academic Advancement –SMART Goals –Identify methods –Identify potential barriers –Identify milestones –Document activities

What do you want your mentor(s) for? Defining career goals Appropriate job selection Time management: set goals/priorities Understanding requirements for promotion Choosing a research focus/scholarly interest Maintaining productivity: milestones/timelines

What else? Mentors provide constructive critical feedback on performance Facilitate introductions to key people Write letters of recommendation Submit names for awards and committees Explore external funding options Help in grant and manuscript preparation Can advise on interpersonal issues/balancing home and career Acculturation Zerzan JT, Hess R, Schur E, Phillips RS, Rigotti N. Making the most of mentors: a guide for mentees. Acad Med Jan;84(1):140-4