Medical Student Career Development

The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (UCCOM) offers a four-year comprehensive career development program to guide and support our students through the process of finding a specialty and residency program that is right for them.

Features of the UCCOM Career Development Program:

• Our program begins early!
• Our program has career activities integrated into the curriculum, in addition to extra-curricular activities.
• Our program utilizes multiple formats to ensure that students receive the key information they need, as well as personalized support. 

At UCCOM, we follow the model established by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Careers in Medicine program This model reflects a 4-step career planning process: (1) Understanding Yourself, (2) Exploring Options, (3) Choosing a Specialty and (4) Preparing for Residency. 

Below are just some of our exciting career activities…

Phase 1:  Understanding Yourself and Exploring Options

• Self-Assessments:  Introduction to the AAMC Medical Specialties Preference Inventory.
• Career Panels: Fall series of career panels during Phase 1 to introduce you to a range of specialties.
• Curriculum Vitae Workshop:  Workshop during Phase 1 to help you prepare your curriculum vitae before applying to summer programs.
• Summer Opportunities Week: Class meeting, lunch talks and poster symposium where you will learn about different summer opportunities.
• Specialty Open House:  Interactive session during Phase 1 where you will meet in small groups with physicians from different specialties.
• Planning Phase 2 Class Meeting:  Class meeting to discuss the clinical rotations and different scheduling options for the core clerkships.  

Phase 2 & 3:  Exploring Options, Choosing Your Specialty and Preparing for Residency

• Individual Advising with your Career Advisor:  We have Career Advisors in the Office of Student Affairs and Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD).  During Phase 2, you will be assigned to a Career Advisor who will guide you as you continue to explore specialties, choose a specialty and prepare for residency.
• Individual Advising with Department Specialty Advisors:  We have Department Specialty Advisors who will meet with you to discuss careers in their specialty and matching in that particular specialty.  The Career Advisors and Department Specialty Advisors work together to support our students.    
• Class Meetings to Prepare for Phase 3 and the Match
  • Match I Class Meeting: Scheduling
  • Match II Class Meeting: Residency Applications
  • Match III Class Meeting: Residency Interviews & Rank Lists
• Additional Match Preparation
  • Program Director Panels
  • Small Groups with Phase 3 Students
  • Couples Match Meeting
  • Residency Mock Interviews
  • Monthly Match Tips (email newsletter)

Available All Years

• Department Specialty Meetings:  Annual meetings sponsored by UC clinical departments where you can learn about different specialties and ask questions.
• Student-Led Specialty Interest Groups:  Through the UCCOM Medical Student Association, there are student-led organizations for many different specialties. Activities may include lunch talks, workshops, service projects, and shadowing opportunities.