Close, not a west-coaster but lived in Cali for a few years and I'm ready to get back. Last day of my freshman English class, professor had us make a list of goals/wish list for 10 years from now, 20 years from now, etc. No. 2 on the list was 'become an orthopedic surgeon in California'. It's been many years now, with many changes along the way but that piece of paper puts everything in perspective for me as to why I started this whole process and where I want to end up. I definitely want to do private practice initially until I'm financially secure and then academics. I think my top 3 set me up with the best chance to get a job where I want. If I drop below, then the name will likely get me a fellowship on the west coast and then job on the west coast.
Specifically, some of the private practice groups in California were started by former USC residents and many have partners that did their training at USC. They're very well connected, ie. the Trojan family and the department places a great emphasis on job placement/private practice (alumni networking, lectures about surviving in private practice, some lawyer gives monthly lectures about contracts, litigation, malpractice, etc). Not to mention 18 residents graduate every year and go to private practice, so it would be much easier to just call one of your upper levels up and see if they're hiring. From everyone I've talked to, when groups are hiring they care much more about how well you'll get along with them than if you did your training at MGH or Hopkins. If one of their own partners knows you and steps up to bat for you, that's golden. 😀
