Question about Job search after residency

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Darwinism

When in Rome
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I am doing my residency at a top 20, Midwest program...but I'm wondering how difficult it will be landing a job in southern California later on? Especially if I can land a fellowship at a well respected west coast institution such as UCSD, UCLA, Stanford, UCSF? Just wondering if anyone out there has done something similar and how difficult it was for them?

Thank you
 
Depends on many factors. If you do a fellowship in California you have a very high chance of getting a job in SoCali. If you don't do your fellowship in California, then things will depend on the type of fellowship that you do (IR versus Nucs) and the institution that you do your fellowship (MGH or Hopkins versus a small program). Generally speaking it is not easy, but doable and easier than what you may think.

Don't assume because you go to MGH or MIR you are guaranteed a fellowship at UCLA or Stanford. Let's say you want to do a certain fellowship esp something more competitive like IR or MSK. Many of these programs fill their spots internally. For example, Stanford fills most of its MSK spots internally. There are times that they even don't accept outside applicants.

On a tangent, in the worst case scenario if you don't find a job right after fellowship, get a job in another place and keep your eyes open at your desirable area. You will find a job sooner than later. A friend of mine was looking into Boston market and couldn't find a job a first. He got his first job in Florida and later moved to Boston as soon as he could find something. Don't forget that most groups will choose a radiologist with 2-3 years of real life experience over a fresh graduate of UCSF or MGH.
 
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"Don't forget that most groups will choose a radiologist with 2-3 years of real life experience over a fresh graduate of UCSF or MGH."

This is something I never really thought about and find very valuable. Thanks for the insight.
 
I had zero ties to CA. Did residency/fellowship in the northeast and NOT at top 30 places. I am now in SoCal. So it's definitely possible. I echo Shark's comment that it may require taking an initial job elsewhere for 2-3 years. In my case, I took a job in a slightly rural part of NorCal - spent 3 years there, got some good experience, then applied for and got a SoCal job about an hour outside of LA. If I can do it, anyone can. You definitely are more marketable with 2-3 years of PP experience under your belt than a newbie out of fellowship. Good luck!
 
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