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Slowly over period of time, it has become relatively easier to match. Also to an extent that spots go unfilled. That itself is speaking part of it, how job market for this speciality will be.
 
Even if the job market isn’t great, there will always be a need for radiation oncologists. So if you love it, go for it!
 
Hey there — first off, props to you for doing the deep work of shadowing and exploring different fields early on. That kind of firsthand curiosity is exactly what helps you build a career that’s not only sustainable, but personally meaningful.
Your shift away from anesthesia after shadowing resonates — it’s so common to have a preconceived idea of a specialty, only to feel something very different when you’re actually immersed in it. That gut check matters. Sounds like RadOnc lit a spark for you, which is worth paying close attention to.

Now, on the job market concerns — you’re not alone in wrestling with this. The noise around RadOnc’s outlook has been real, especially over the past few years. But something I always encourage people to ask themselves is: “What kind of physician do I want to be, and where can I genuinely see myself thriving long-term?”

Some specifics to consider:

  • Do you see yourself practicing in an academic vs community setting? Certain job markets are tighter than others, but they’re not all equally constrained.

  • Are you open to geographic flexibility? Some regions still have strong demand, especially underserved or rural areas.

  • What parts of RadOnc are drawing you in? Patient relationships? Technology? Multidisciplinary collaboration? Knowing your “why” can help clarify whether the current job landscape should deter you — or just inform how you position yourself.
There’s always a tension between passion and practicality — but that doesn’t mean you have to choose one over the other. Some residents and early-career RadOncs I’ve talked to are navigating the market by diversifying skill sets (AI, data science, global health) or staying nimble in where and how they practice.

Keep reflecting on what excites you and what environments you’d genuinely feel energized in. If RadOnc keeps pulling you back in, it’s worth asking: “Am I willing to engage with the challenges because the work itself feeds something meaningful in me?”

Hope this helps you think through things
 
Dr. Robb Bassett said:
Hey there — first off, props to you for doing the deep work of shadowing and exploring different fields early on. That kind of firsthand curiosity is exactly what helps you build a career that’s not only sustainable, but personally meaningful.
Your shift away from anesthesia after shadowing resonates — it’s so common to have a preconceived idea of a specialty, only to feel something very different when you’re actually immersed in it. That gut check matters. Sounds like RadOnc lit a spark for you, which is worth paying close attention to.

Now, on the job market concerns — you’re not alone in wrestling with this. The noise around RadOnc’s outlook has been real, especially over the past few years. But something I always encourage people to ask themselves is: “What kind of physician do I want to be, and where can I genuinely see myself thriving long-term?”

Some specifics to consider:

  • Do you see yourself practicing in an academic vs community setting? Certain job markets are tighter than others, but they’re not all equally constrained.

  • Are you open to geographic flexibility? Some regions still have strong demand, especially underserved or rural areas.

  • What parts of RadOnc are drawing you in? Patient relationships? Technology? Multidisciplinary collaboration? Knowing your “why” can help clarify whether the current job landscape should deter you — or just inform how you position yourself.
There’s always a tension between passion and practicality — but that doesn’t mean you have to choose one over the other. Some residents and early-career RadOncs I’ve talked to are navigating the market by diversifying skill sets (AI, data science, global health) or staying nimble in where and how they practice.

Keep reflecting on what excites you and what environments you’d genuinely feel energized in. If RadOnc keeps pulling you back in, it’s worth asking: “Am I willing to engage with the challenges because the work itself feeds something meaningful in me?”

Hope this helps you think through things
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are you an AI? why do all your comments start the same way and have the same notation lol
 
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