Job Market and Training program

[lejeunesage]

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I want an honest answer from people who've actually looked for jobs.

Does the relative prestige of your training program matter when looking for a job? Say you trained at Harvard or Mayo. Do you get more job offers than someone who trained at, say, OSU or UVA (both excellent programs, by the way, but neither of which I've seen included in the "Super 6." Do you get to command a higher salary?

My interest is in private practice and I have absolutely zero interest in academia. Is there any tangible benefit in having trained at a big-name institution?

Thanks

 

[Baritonebass]

I think you should also factor in geography... Cause in NYC for instance coming from Kessler, NYU, Cornell/Columbia and Mt Sinai help you network for jobs in a competitive market... Where as down south jobs are hanging off tree so they only care if your boarded eligible and posses the proper skill set

 

[Louisville04]

I think you should also factor in geography... Cause in NYC for instance coming from Kessler, NYU, Cornell/Columbia and Mt Sinai help you network for jobs in a competitive market... Where as down south jobs are hanging off tree so they only care if your boarded eligible and posses the proper skill set

I assume these jobs are not in cities like Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville but more in rural settings?

 

[lejeunesage]

So, to recapitulate, given the choice between 2 programs you like equally well, it would be advantageous to rank the more prestigious one higher because it gives you a competitive advantage when looking for a job in a saturated geographical area?

 

[Baritonebass]

I assume these jobs are not in cities like Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville but more in rural settings?

True generally cities without international airports but potentially driving distance from those cities

 

[lejeunesage]

Any other opinions? Here's a somewhat different answer, for those who are interested

http://www.farrhealthcare.com/blog/2014/01/21/residency-program-reputation-and-the-job-market/

 

[axm397]

A lot of the "top rated" (subjective) residencies tend to be old and big - which means a large alumni network - which is usually what helps with job search. Recruiters have a different perspective because they are trying to fill positions that could not fill with word of mouth/networking. Certainly being an RIC grad helped me with my job search and I have helped other fellow RIC grads/residents find jobs in the past few years.

if it's a group with PM&R, they will know program reputation. if it's a group without PM&R, chances are, they won't know or care.

too many variables to give a definitive answer.

 

[SSdoc33]

It 'might' help you get your first job. But honestly, nobody cares

 

[Taus]

I'm from a solid program... though not your "super 6" or whatever they're called now. Whether they would have helped me get a job or not was irrelevant.... I would never have known about the job opportunities I am looking at in the first place without the alumni base and connections I made during residency locally. These positions were not advertised anywhere... purely word of mouth. Being from the best program in the country or not wouldn't have made a difference. If you're strongly tied to an area I would not discount the benefit of training there. It's my n=1... but I count my blessings that I trained locally.

 

[Gauss]

need more info about your goals - if you're looking to do a competitive fellowship the residency program reputation definitely matters. If you're looking for a job in a competitive market and field then it matters early in your career. As you gain years in the field, then your reputation, publications, friendships matter more. If you want to do general rehab, inpatient & outpatient, in the middle of nowhere then it doesn't matter.

 

[lejeunesage]

Thanks for all the great responses, I didn't immediately give information about my goals because I wanted this thread to be informative to others who might have different goals. Anyway, at this point, I'm leaning against a pain, sports, or spine fellowship. If I end up liking inpatient more than I think I will, it is conceivable, though unlikely, that I might want to do a SCI fellowship.

As far as location goes. I'm not looking to work in a megalopolis: no NYC, Chicago, or Bay area for me. But there are plenty of cities in the 50k-250k population that I like. And ideally I'd find a city of about 50k+ within a 100-mile radius of a bigger city.

For instance, I'd rather live in Lancaster, PA (pop 60k) or Reading, PA (90k) than in Philadelphia. (I don't know the particulars of those towns, I'm just looking at population and distance from a megalopolis).

What I'm trying to avoid is choosing a program and then being confined to working in a place with a sub-25K population for years before I can get a gig near a place I like.

 

[Xardas]

I want an honest answer from people who've actually looked for jobs.

Does the relative prestige of your training program matter when looking for a job? Say you trained at Harvard or Mayo. Do you get more job offers than someone who trained at, say, OSU or UVA (both excellent programs, by the way, but neither of which I've seen included in the "Super 6." Do you get to command a higher salary?

My interest is in private practice and I have absolutely zero interest in academia. Is there any tangible benefit in having trained at a big-name institution?

Thanks

Probably not. It may make a difference if you are applying to an academic job. But your interview counts way more.

In private practice your personality, perceived go-getter attitude (via the interview) are more important. If you can pass the boards then you have all the knowledge you need to succeed in private practice.

In summary, train at where you think you feel more comfortable and where you think you'll get the best education. About 3-5 years after your are out from residency honestly nobody really asks anymore.

p.s. i trained at a place that was/is considered a 'top' program. i'm grateful for what i have but i feel no different than many other physiatrists i've met over the yers.

 

[lejeunesage]

Again, thanks to everyone for the great responses. I think at this point I'm gravitating towards geography as the deciding factor.