Job Hypotheticals: specifically and just "to discuss"

[drdvs]

---

Members don't see this ad.

(okay, I've been on here since med school, but don't post much b/c of not having anying ~useful to say that hadn't already been said......Now I feel like I should say something like I'm calling into AM radio or Nancy Grace! "Long time listener..., love the show....." anyway...)

SO, in this market, after fellowship would you rather:
A) Accept an offer of a SOLID job (the day-to-day workload/mix, people, ~$) in a faraway place you don't really want to move to ...or

B) Keep looking/interviewing for other jobs closer to home that MAY be as good (even if it means giving up offer A) at the risk of ending up in BFE or with a sh!+ job (or both)...


I understand that the answer probably changes whether your on the Coasts (I am), if its your dream job (they're not), and if you are planning for partnership or short-term (a mix)

thanks.

 

[yaah]

Lots of people do both - they take the solid job while still keeping connections and looking for a job in their desired area. Some take an academic job for a few years before leaving. Others take a private job that they don't love while still looking. This happens in other fields of medicine all the time as well. It also probably depends on how many negatives are involved with situation (A). Like for me, if situation (A) involved living in a california city I would probably rather risk unemployment than go there.

 

[2121115]

Also interested in hearing comments on this. Is it somehow wrong to hold on to one good offer while waiting on another that you'd prefer more (location, etc)? Even if it would mean dropping the one you're holding at a short notice. I know people outside of medicine do this as standard procedure almost, but will it burn bridges (if there is such a thing after residency)?

 

[LADoc00]

I am a VERY firm believer in the idea that even in BFE with the right solid job, compensation and vacation, you can be incredibly fulfilled and happy.

Perhaps even more happy in BFE than in the big city for a number of reasons...

On the converse, people on the coast in crappy jobs perpetually beeotch and moan about their situation. Soon 20 years pass and they are still miserable waiting for that 1 great opportunity that never arrives.

I met a guy in a crappy path job once who said he waited, watched and inquired for 35 years to get a solid private gig in his area (wife wouldnt leave) and it never materialized for one reason or another. He then retired, his wife left him and took the house and he moved into a small apartment. Depressing...

 

[BrainPathology]

(okay, I've been on here since med school, but don't post much b/c of not having anying ~useful to say that hadn't already been said......Now I feel like I should say something like I'm calling into AM radio or Nancy Grace! "Long time listener..., love the show....." anyway...)

SO, in this market, after fellowship would you rather:
A) Accept an offer of a SOLID job (the day-to-day workload/mix, people, ~$) in a faraway place you don't really want to move to ...or

B) Keep looking/interviewing for other jobs closer to home that MAY be as good (even if it means giving up offer A) at the risk of ending up in BFE or with a sh!+ job (or both)...


I understand that the answer probably changes whether your on the Coasts (I am), if its your dream job (they're not), and if you are planning for partnership or short-term (a mix)

thanks.

This is what I would do.

If it's really solid (vacation and enough money to LEAVE during those vacations) take the job. Start looking for other jobs after you're established there, if you don't come to love being there with whatever advantages it has.

The only thing I'm really hoping for when I start looking for a job is enough vacation (4 weeks or more) to actually leave. And an airport to leave from. Other than that, I'm probably going to be working hard enough that it won't matter where I am during the week. If I have weekends off the airport means weekend trips to whatever large city is most convenient to go have fun in.

Also there are plenty of instances of people signing a contract and then not showing up for the job. I imagine they did both A and B above and B panned out. This happened to a group in FL two years in a row when they were looking for an NP. I don't know if they just gave up or finally found someone to show.

 

[lipomas]

What is it about the coast area (or wherever) that really appeals to you? Is it just the idea of living there? Lots of people "hate" living in the midwest or rural areas when in actuality they have no experience at all with it. Others "hate" living there because their families aren't there. That's all well and good but if you live in a cheaper area it's a lot easier to visit.

I may be biased since I don't really get the appeal of living in cities but how could you not take the better job in the quiter area? I ended up in practice 1,000 miles away from my extended family and it makes no difference. I see them almost as much as I used to anyway.

 

[Logos']

...

 

[2121115]

I am a VERY firm believer in the idea that even in BFE with the right solid job, compensation and vacation, you can be incredibly fulfilled and happy.

This is what I'm banking on.

 

[drdvs]

If it's really solid (vacation and enough money to LEAVE during those vacations) take the job. Start looking for other jobs after you're established there, if you don't come to love being there with whatever advantages it has.

I may be biased since I don't really get the appeal of living in cities but how could you not take the better job in the quiter area? I ended up in practice 1,000 miles away from my extended family and it makes no difference. I see them almost as much as I used to anyway.

All good points! I am all for living someplace decent and vacationing elsewhere, etc. However, traveling with kids SUCKS, and moving with kids (specifically BIG moves) sucks even more.... So some in my position would be reluctant to take job A if it meant looking for the door again in 1-3 years.

In part to answer lipoma's question about why one wouldn't take the job in a "quieter area", and responses from LADoc and 2121115.... I should clarify that job "A" isn't a negative because it's in a quiet town or the midwest. I just happen to not want to move there for family/social reasons and 'cause it's really F-ing far away (see above). Unfortunately though, in the current job market, one wants to grasp onto the first/sure thing offered rather than risk not finding something as good later on....

As others mentioned, pathology IS a small world and I'd rather not back out on a contract if I can help it.

 

[yaah]

Really? Any CA city? CA is a big place with a lot of cities, some might even be pretty similar to wherever it is you call home. I get that you might not like SF or LA, but I can not figure out why you would cross off the entire state. Seems a bit dramatic, there must be a good story behind this, please explain.

Every major city in california that I know of is too expensive and has horrible traffic. Both of these things are major negatives in my book. I'm sure there are a lot of very pleasant places there, particularly towards the north. Northern Cal also has very nice weather with a semblance of real seasons (the south does not, so no thanks there). But not for me. I hate traffic. I enjoy my 5 mile, 10 minute commute. And my house with yard. I have no doubt that you could point me to areas of CA that are similar, but I highly doubt I could get anything close to the house I have now for the same price. There are similar reasons for why I would not choose to live within 100 miles of NYC (NYC area also has the added drawback of having lots of new yorkers).

 

[Pingu]

I thought I wanted to live in the city until I interviewed for my current job in BFE. I am far happier here than I would have been at any job in a city.

My commute is about 2.5 miles, which means I spend about 5-6 minutes per day in my car. The most stressful part of my drive is a four way stop. In residency I spent at least 90 minutes a day in my car, if not more. I have all of that time back, plus I'm far more relaxed than I would ever be in a city. Cost of living is definitely cheaper and the icing on the cake is that I get to see a lot of amazing cases.

I also thought I would want to get out and go places on the weekends, but I have found myself just wanting to float in the pool and read a book.

 

[LADoc00]

Every major city in california that I know of is too expensive and has horrible traffic. Both of these things are major negatives in my book. I'm sure there are a lot of very pleasant places there, particularly towards the north. Northern Cal also has very nice weather with a semblance of real seasons (the south does not, so no thanks there). But not for me. I hate traffic. I enjoy my 5 mile, 10 minute commute. And my house with yard. I have no doubt that you could point me to areas of CA that are similar, but I highly doubt I could get anything close to the house I have now for the same price. There are similar reasons for why I would not choose to live within 100 miles of NYC (NYC area also has the added drawback of having lots of new yorkers).

The most cherry pathology jobs for CA IMO are in the Far Northern California counties. North of say Sacramento-Marin, that area alone is larger than most states in the Union. Other areas I would look into are very hot arid climates that might be a shock to anyone not used them/part Native American (like myself🙂

But you are right about Michigan, it is dirt dirt cheap.

 

[rpkall]

What's a "good" yearly compensation for a private practice job? Like $250? More? Less?

Presumably this wouldn't be starting salary but would increase to that range after 3-5 yrs with the same group--is that the way it usually works?

 

[Pingu]

What's a "good" yearly compensation for a private practice job? Like $250? More? Less?

I would say more, but that is based on the very few exact salaries that I know of...it is definitely a topic that people do not like to discuss and almost no one will tell you an exact number and some people are even reluctant to give a range.

Most people start out around 200 and after the first year it should go up, but to what level depends on a number of factors.

 

[lipomas]

There are many private practice paths who do not make much more than $250k, max. And these are not just reference lab employees. Many are hospital employees. Partners in groups in poor-payor mix areas might max out not much more than that.

Starting salary at a good job with partnership potential might start around $250.

 

[spongioform]

I was curious to know how the more famous pathologists make above-average compensation. Does this have to do with being able to charge more for each slide read since might be making more complex diagnoses? Or do they just have a higher volume of slide reads? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[KeratinPearls]

I was curious to know how the more famous pathologists make above-average compensation. Does this have to do with being able to charge more for each slide read since might be making more complex diagnoses? Or do they just have a higher volume of slide reads? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

They get cases sent to them from all over the world. All of these "famous" pathologists are in academics. I don't really know how it works but I'm sure they get a % of the profit and the rest goes to the department???? If someone can clarify the business behind this Im curious.

Some of these famous pathologists use their name and start up huge labs like Bostwick. I am sure he is swimming in his Benjamins right now. How about Kjeldsberg (sp?)...isnt he the founder of ARUP or is he just the president?

The pathologists have their own niche and to be seriously banking you have to have some entrepreneurial skills to start something up and manage it. I've heard of a pathologist charging several thousand just for one case requiring immunoflouresence. The sky is the limit if you are the go-to person for your specialty.

Some write books and are editors of series of books. I hear you can get paid some ridiculous amounts of dough just to have your name on the cover.

But you have to understand...it takes a lot of hard work, passion and intelligence to get to their level.

 

[macrocyte]

So what is a decent or good full partner level income?

 

[Entgegen]

So what is a decent or good full partner level income?

Whatever you're satisfied with.