How to boost your career prospects at medical school

Finding a mentor doctor who has the time to provide me with industry insights and can guide me through the challenges I may face as a trainee doctor has been one of the best things I’ve done.  

I recently decided I’d like to explore a career as a rehabilitation specialist and found a local specialist who offered to mentor me in this area. I visit my mentor in her rehabilitation centre to see how she works with patients. When it’s quiet, we analyse special cases together and I can ask questions.  

I’ve been encouraged to engage in mentorship throughout my career to help me progress. Having a mentor while I study will give me a clearer direction and will show future employers that I’m serious about my development.  

Scientific events like conferences and networking provide the opportunity to meet scientists, researchers and students and learn about different medical topics.  

At my university, the science department informs its students about all conferences and networking opportunities. Attending these events gives me a broader view of the medical world and the trends and challenges that come up in different areas of the field. Having an awareness of these things will make me a more competent medical professional, and I’ll have lots to talk about in my graduate interviews.  

For the past six years, I’ve been a member of various student clubs and professional communities, where I’m able to acquire extra knowledge and skills that I can apply in my work as a doctor.  

I’m a member of the Kazakhstan Medical Students Association (KazMSA), which has representative offices in every medical university in Kazakhstan. As part of this network, I study medical topics, participate in group projects and get to know other healthcare students and professionals.  

By building an extensive network of healthcare students and professionals by the time I graduate, I’ll have plenty of people to reach out to throughout my career. Some will become leaders in their field and can help me climb my own career ladder too.  

Building an image of yourself as a professional while you study is a great way to stand out to future employers. 

Creating a personal brand could involve setting up professional social media accounts to post your achievements, activities and thoughts around your studies. It could be creating videos with tips for other students. It could be speaking at student events and presenting your ideas to others, or talking about your student journey to new students, what you learned and how you coped with the challenges of being a medical student.  

With these tips, you should have plenty of opportunities to meet healthcare professionals, learn about the fields that interest you and gain as much experience as possible. Remember not to overwork yourself and take enough breaks for rest and recuperation. You don’t have to do it all at once. Good luck!