Given research offer, yet still have interviews!

[jdido09]

---

Members do not see this ad.

After my first interview, the surgeon I met with actually offered more than I could imagine... He told me I could begin research projects this coming Fall, as well as shadow him in the OR, and even mentioned working on a "paper" together. So with that, it is hard to say no right?

Here is my issue; from the three surgeons left to interview with, one is the Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, the other is the Chief of Neurosurgery. They are both professors at the medical school, one being in charge of academic affairs. The surgeon I met with today is fresh off of residency two years ago, and is an assistant professor at the medical school. Should I continue to go for the other two surgeons?

 

[drizzt3117]

How much contact do you think you're going to have with an attending who's a department head?

I'd go with the opportunity you have.

After my first interview, the surgeon I met with actually offered more than I could imagine... He told me I could begin research projects this coming Fall, as well as shadow him in the OR, and even mentioned working on a "paper" together. So with that, it is hard to say no right?

Here is my issue; from the three surgeons left to interview with, one is the Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, the other is the Chief of Neurosurgery. They are both professors at the medical school, one being in charge of academic affairs. The surgeon I met with today is fresh off of residency two years ago, and is an assistant professor at the medical school. Should I continue to go for the other two surgeons?

 

[thesauce]

How much contact do you think you're going to have with an attending who's a department head?

I'd go with the opportunity you have.

Agree, and one of these guys is also a dean---you'll never see him.

 

[DrYoda]

Agree with the above two posters. You probably won't get a deal that tops the one you have now.

 

[jdido09]

Thanks for the insight. That all makes a lot of sense. Should I go to the interviews for the sake of not being rude or looking ungrateful? Or just contact them letting them know I have found a research position for the time being?

Also, is it possible to work with two of the surgeons, or is that overboard?

 

[bonsaitree1]

Thanks for the insight. That all makes a lot of sense. Should I go to the interviews for the sake of not being rude or looking ungrateful? Or just contact them letting them know I have found a research position for the time being?

Also, is it possible to work with two of the surgeons, or is that overboard?

Are you planning just to volunteer for the both of them? I think working with 2 surgeons could work, depending on which year you're in and what your workload is.

If the other 2 interviews are far off, you might as well cancel with them. If they're tomorrow, you should show up just for the sake of showing up and see if their work is interesting.

 

[kami333]

You'll probably get more out of spending 10hrs/week with one than 5hours/week with two.

New assistant profs/attendings have their good and bad points. Usually they have a lot of incentive to be active in university positions and publish quickly (as well as be a good mentor) in order to establish themselves and move up, however they may not be experienced and lack the seniority to push people (get past the bureaucracy) which can add frustrating delays and may leave the institution before you planned on.

Personally if you've already set up interviews (and assuming you haven't 100% committed) I would just go through with them, even just for the perspective of what other people have to offer.