Reputation vs Local Connection

[Folken]

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Hey there! I've just finished up my interview trail and as I consider my rank list, I'd like some opinions regarding a relevant issue to me.

I'm originally from California, and would eventually like to work here. From what I understand, the CA market for anesthesiologists is pretty rough, especially in highly desirable locations. My question is this: in order to get a job in CA (assuming nothing drastically changes the job market the next 5 years), what holds more weight when seeking employment - the reputation of my residency training or the local connections that go with training at a program in California? I've asked this at all my interviews and the responses have been mixed.

Specifically, with my list, I'm weighing UCLA Harbor vs Baylor/University of Washington. I personally felt that Baylor/UW were better programs than Harbor and that they were better fits.

Let's also assume my plan if for PP or Kaiser. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm working under the assumption that program reputation probably goes further when trying to land an academic position (especially if your chair/PD has personal connections to other chairs/PDs).

Also, as a corollary, if I train out of state and then do a fellowship in CA, is that the same as just doing residency in CA (in regards to building those local connections)?

Thanks.

 

[DrBeaker]

Rank the programs on your list based on what YOU thought were the best programs and the best fit for YOU. it sounds like you answered that in your post. A lot can change in 4 years, you may not want to work in Cali at that time, thus making your decision to build a rank list based on if you' ll get a job in Cali pointless.

Good luck

 

[ssmallz]

If you wanna work in a tight market the best thing you can do is have connections to that market. You're looking at SoCal, right? Where do you think you will find more connections, harbor UCLA, Washington, or Baylor? All 3 will probably give you fine training, and you'll learn enough to be proficient and pass your boards which is all that matters. You might not fit as well at harbor but you will have the connections when you come out. If you want to do a fellowship, it will certainly be easier to get into California fellowships with a Cali address and letters from a program right down that street than trying to make the move from another state. Once you get out of residency who you know matters a lot more than what you know and being a local in the area is priceless.

 

[cchoukal]

If you wanna work in a tight market the best thing you can do is have connections to that market. You're looking at SoCal, right? Where do you think you will find more connections, harbor UCLA, Washington, or Baylor? All 3 will probably give you fine training, and you'll learn enough to be proficient and pass your boards which is all that matters. You might not fit as well at harbor but you will have the connections when you come out. If you want to do a fellowship, it will certainly be easier to get into California fellowships with a Cali address and letters from a program right down that street than trying to make the move from another state. Once you get out of residency who you know matters a lot more than what you know and being a local in the area is priceless.

Agreed. Unless you're comparing Harvard with bumble-F local program, the local connections are probably more important.

As to your other question, I think fellowship counts as "training there." I can think of a couple examples (myself included) where people did residency elsewhere, fellowship in the bay area, and then stayed in the bay area with good jobs.

 

[IlDestriero]

National reputation is great, big programs have a strong grad network all over the country. That being said, you can't beat local connections if you're strongly tied to one tight market. Don't sacrifice great training for average training at a local residency though, your plans might change, $$$ calling you, etc. And you're turning down great training! If you got a much better feel for wash, etc, you should probably take another look at UCLA. I should add that I've not heard good things about Harbor in the past, but I didn't train there.
Good luck.

 

[Metalblade]

Local connections are probably more important in a market that's hard to break into. UCLA.

 

[nimbus]

Harbor-UCLA is not UCLA. Go to UW. Lots of grads working in Cali.

 

[DScully]

Rank the programs on your list based on what YOU thought were the best programs and the best fit for YOU.

Exactly my thoughts. I know this sounds so generic and vague - I felt the same way when I interviewed. But going through the process, it is truly the only thing you should consider when ranking your list.

Things change. You change too. Make the decision based on what you think will be the best fit for you. And after you make your final decision, don't let other people second guess you because they will never be you and they can never be in your shoes.

 

[Folken]

Thank you all for your input. I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Creed Bratton]

There are approx 10 programs i'd call "national." As you get further down the list it gets more and more regional. Unless you're talking about one of those national programs i'd say go for local connections

 

[Harrison486]

There are approx 10 programs i'd call "national." As you get further down the list it gets more and more regional. Unless you're talking about one of those national programs i'd say go for local connections

Mind sharing what those 10 programs would be?

 

[Creed Bratton]

Mind sharing what those 10 programs would be?

This is just my opinion of course and has more an academic bent, but all of the usual suspects. Stanford, UCSF, MGH, Brigham, Hopkins, Penn, Columbia, Duke, WashU, Vandy plus others i'm forgeting. Big brand name places with tons of alumni across the country