Doing research in one field only to change mind about specialty down the line?

[Mrsdrquavo]

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I just wrapped up a job in Ob/Gyn research at a Top 10 institution. I will be co-author on one paper, and have received offers from PIs to come back next summer to work on other papers and to reach out if I ever wanted to return to the institution down the line (for residency I’m assuming).

I am extremely interested in Ob/Gyn but I know people often change their minds in med school. If I were to change my mind about Ob/Gyn, would publications in the field still be helpful in a residency app to another specialty?

Also is it a good idea to continue to do research with this institution even though I will be going to a different med school in the same city? Has anyone had experience in doing research with their own med school and another school? I think that I would love to come back for residency (way off from now I know) and I think it would be awesome to keep those connections open.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Moko]

Publications in same specialty > Publications in other specialty >>> No publications at all

Do research in the field that you tentatively are interested in, but with the knowledge that things might change, exactly as you said. Most research skills are transferable between specialties. So you'll be fine.

And many people do research at other institutions, so that's not uncommon at all. It might be helpful to join another group to learn new skills and see new viewpoints, but do what works best for you. Good luck!

 

[mrbreakfast]

Within the "publications in other specialty," it seems the more related that research is to the current field, the better. For example, research in OBGYN may be better received by a procedural field.