From community practice to academics..

[Patho2009]

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During the time I was applying for a job, most of the openings were of community practice and quite few were academic. Despite my good academic records, I was not fortunate to be accepted in an academic setting and was "forced" to go for community practice. I didn't have any choice but to secure a "job" and start building up experience, with my hope that I would be able to switch to an academic position once I have the chance. I have a big passion for academics. i.e teaching, lecturing, writing...besides the rotuine sign out.

I heard that it would be very hard to switch from community practice to academic one.

What's your opinion about this?

 

[yaah]

It is more difficult but mainly because very few people attempt it. But it does happen. With the right motivations and background it is possible. There are all kinds of different academic jobs. You are unlikely to qualify for a tenure-track type position but other positions where your focus is more diagnostic and teaching are more likely. Others probably have better information on this though.

 

[zao275]

During the time I was applying for a job, most of the openings were of community practice and quite few were academic. Despite my good academic records, I was not fortunate to be accepted in an academic setting and was "forced" to go for community practice. I didn't have any choice but to secure a "job" and start building up experience, with my hope that I would be able to switch to an academic position once I have the chance. I have a big passion for academics. i.e teaching, lecturing, writing...besides the rotuine sign out.

I heard that it would be very hard to switch from community practice to academic one.

What's your opinion about this?

Wow! That is really quite shocking to me. I assumed that academic jobs would be somewhat easier to attain because of the alleged difference in salaries. I would like to do academics, I think, although a private group would like me to come interview with them. I would like to try to interview multiple places to get a feel for what is out there before deciding for certain, just so I avoid being closed minded.

As far as private to academics, I know several pathologists who have done it, although a couple of those went from academics to private then back to academics, so I assume that is somewhat easier.

I guess that my long term goal would be to become a clinical track rather than academic track pathologist. Diagnosing, teaching, and working on some papers, too, but the first two would be most important to me.

Yaah, if I may ask, are you in the academic or private setting. You seem to know a lot about both worlds, but I am curious which one you gravitate towards (you may abstain from answering, and I will not be offended at all!🙂).

 

[yaah]

I am in private land now, although where I work has residents in other specialties (just not in path). But I just finished training and have some experience in national organizations, so I have some knowledge of academia.

 

[zao275]

Cool. How do you like that practice setting? I would really like to teach and have been planning on doing academics, but I just recently got invited to a private job interview. I think I will do the interview at least to be open minded and check out my options. To be honest, I worry that I will be somewhat bored in private practice without all the pathology residents around to teach and interact with. I am a very extroverted and outgoing person and although I love looking at slides, I would not like to sit in a room by myself and look at slides 8-10 hours everyday.

 

[pathstudent]

It is tough but it can work if they already know who you are and if they think you are a good guy. Your current research is important in any academic job interview and since community practice people generally do zilch, it is hard to get a job at most places, save those where they know you are a good guy/teacher/research potential.

 

[pathstudent]

Cool. How do you like that practice setting? I would really like to teach and have been planning on doing academics, but I just recently got invited to a private job interview. I think I will do the interview at least to be open minded and check out my options. To be honest, I worry that I will be somewhat bored in private practice without all the pathology residents around to teach and interact with. I am a very extroverted and outgoing person and although I love looking at slides, I would not like to sit in a room by myself and look at slides 8-10 hours everyday.

A job where you just sign-out 8 hours a day is more like a reference lab. In community practice you would probably have plenty of time to interact with clinicians/techs/admins throughout your day.

However, you sound a lot like me, and judging by the arrogance of your vimentin cartoon, you should go into academics too.

 

[zao275]

However, you sound a lot like me, and judging by the arrogance of your vimentin cartoon, you should go into academics too.

Ouch. It wasn't intended to be arrogant so much as humorous. Perhaps I should tone it down in the next video?

Do others agree on this? Was the video too arrogant?

 

[yaah]

Cool. How do you like that practice setting? I would really like to teach and have been planning on doing academics, but I just recently got invited to a private job interview. I think I will do the interview at least to be open minded and check out my options. To be honest, I worry that I will be somewhat bored in private practice without all the pathology residents around to teach and interact with. I am a very extroverted and outgoing person and although I love looking at slides, I would not like to sit in a room by myself and look at slides 8-10 hours everyday.

Keep your mind open - not all private jobs are staring at slides for 8 hours a day. I do some of most things. I don't get much teaching except for occasional non-pathology residents but I don't mind. There is tons of interaction with other people - other pathologists, lab staff, clinicians. You won't be bored unless pathology bores you. But if you want the significant teaching or research component then academics is usually a better fit. Pathology definitely needs more people in academics who not only like to teach but are good at it (hard to be both). I was up in the air, but am very happy with my decision. Although I probably would have been happy in academics too, except for the pressure to publish which I do not really enjoy.

 

[KCShaw]

Do others agree on this? Was the video too arrogant?

Anyone who asks that question isn't truly arrogant.

 

[caffeinegirl]

I agree with yaah, in that not all private practice jobs are sitting at a scope all day. Here I alternate between grossing (common in the West Coast btw), FNA's, looking at slides, giving tumor boards, managing CP and lab management, talking to clinicians...it's a potpourri!
I liked the variety and challenges of an academic environment, but not the pressure to publish. Now I get to do what I love, in an active and supportive environment. No regrets!

 

[Daddydoc]

Ouch. It wasn't intended to be arrogant so much as humorous. Perhaps I should tone it down in the next video?

Do others agree on this? Was the video too arrogant?

We thought it was just funny here. Didn't think it was arrogant. 👍

 

[Art]

Ouch. It wasn't intended to be arrogant so much as humorous. Perhaps I should tone it down in the next video?

Do others agree on this? Was the video too arrogant?

Not arrogant in the least.

 

[pathstudent]

Ouch. It wasn't intended to be arrogant so much as humorous. Perhaps I should tone it down in the next video?

Do others agree on this? Was the video too arrogant?

I intepreted it as simpleton town pathologist assumes every malignant spindle cell lesion is a sarcoma and that he assumes that if it stains with vimentin it is a sarcoma.

 

[deleted314957]

I intepreted it as simpleton town pathologist assumes every malignant spindle cell lesion is a sarcoma and that he assumes that if it stains with vimentin it is a sarcoma.

GEE! That's not true?!?

Regards,

Simpleton town pathologist ( who hosed you )

 

[gschl1234]

Ouch. It wasn't intended to be arrogant so much as humorous. Perhaps I should tone it down in the next video?

Do others agree on this? Was the video too arrogant?

Not arrogant. Funny and, sadly, a little true.

By the way, here's another funny one:

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7025407/

 

[Tiki]

Not arrogant. Funny and, sadly, a little true.

By the way, here's another funny one:

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7025407/

The pediatric oncologist one is the best one! It is so true, we get calls from the peds heme onc folks minutes after they submit bone marrows and they always bring up the fact that it's a child.

 

[Autopsy Sweet]

I am a very extroverted and outgoing person and although I love looking at slides, I would not like to sit in a room by myself and look at slides 8-10 hours everyday.

You're the most extroverted and outgoing person I know.....and I didn't think it was arrogant. 🙂

On another note, how does one make the decision of academics versus private/community? I really enjoy the way my residency is set up - definitely academic but in a private hospital with a community feel. Does this mean I would like true academics? Does it mean I wouldn't like community practice? How do you know? Are there other places like this that are a mix of each? I expect not many...

To the OP: Having no personal experience with this, take it with a grain of salt. I would think that your circumstance is completely understandable and wouldn't hinder your hire-ability (? is that a word?) should you find the right academic job in the future, assuming you don't spend 10 years trying to find that job.

 

[LADoc00]

hahaha...this is the first Ive heard of this.

Academic positions at the lower rungs are VASTLY easier to land than the top private practice spots with partnership track.

I would guess the ratio of academic positions to top private slots is >20:1 at the moment.

Got a good chuckle off this thread. Good ol' SDN. Still solid for a morning laugh after all these years.

 

[deleted314957]

You're the most extroverted and outgoing person I know.....and I didn't think it was arrogant. 🙂

On another note, how does one make the decision of academics versus private/community? I really enjoy the way my residency is set up - definitely academic but in a private hospital with a community feel. Does this mean I would like true academics? Does it mean I wouldn't like community practice? How do you know? Are there other places like this that are a mix of each? I expect not many...

To the OP: Having no personal experience with this, take it with a grain of salt. I would think that your circumstance is completely understandable and wouldn't hinder your hire-ability (? is that a word?) should you find the right academic job in the future, assuming you don't spend 10 years trying to find that job.

to be very matter-of fact about it you may well not decide. You will probably do as most folks do and take whatever seems to be the best offer that comes at the necessary time. That is what I did. I am a little unusual---I hav not changed for 22+ years.

 

[zao275]

to be very matter-of fact about it you may well not decide. You will probably do as most folks do and take whatever seems to be the best offer that comes at the necessary time. That is what I did. I am a little unusual---I hav not changed for 22+ years.

Wow! I had heard that most pathologist changed jobs several times. It is good to know that some occasionally find the right fit on the first go round.

 

[zao275]

Not arrogant. Funny and, sadly, a little true.

By the way, here's another funny one:

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7025407/

That is absolutely hilarious.

"You are killing my patient, a child."

"No, the tumor is killing your patient."

"Hysteria is contagious. You have caught it from the parents."

 

[Autopsy101]

If academic pathology is truly where you want to work, then you should work to try to get a position that will make you happy. Being a partner in a private practice situation, I have had too much experience hiring people from big name academic programs who are unhappy once they start in a community hospital and experience what it is like to be the "simpleton town pathologist". I personally enjoy the job and the environment, but it is not for everyone. I would imagine if you make a good impression in the community practice situation, get excellent references from that employer, and maybe try to publish something in that setting, transferring back to academic pathology would not be that difficult.

 

[raider]

For me the choice of academics vs. private simply came done to this:

"I am way too talented and smart to waste my time in academics"

 

[Enkidu]

hahaha...this is the first Ive heard of this.

Academic positions at the lower rungs are VASTLY easier to land than the top private practice spots with partnership track.

I would guess the ratio of academic positions to top private slots is >20:1 at the moment.

Got a good chuckle off this thread. Good ol' SDN. Still solid for a morning laugh after all these years

This is interesting. Is all of the talk about the job market on this forum mostly referring to private practice jobs?

I don't have an interest in private practice whatsoever, and so I was thinking about skipping the CP bit and staying in academia. But I am a little concerned about this alleged job market problem (of course, I wouldn't be entering the job market for some time). Can I rest assured that there is an academic job out there for me?

 

[2121115]

I don't have an interest in private practice whatsoever, and so I was thinking about skipping the CP bit and staying in academia. But I am a little concerned about this alleged job market problem (of course, I wouldn't be entering the job market for some time). Can I rest assured that there is an academic job out there for me?

Don't worry then. You are set.