Should I talk about non-medical activities?

[solitarydancer]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all !

So, I'm an IMG from France, and I will participate in the 2012 Match.
I'm in the process of writing my personal statement, etc...

I already completed a residency in my country, and on the side, I am a musical composer. I happen to write music for commercials, short films, etc... I have a small company (mostly internet-based), and working a few hours every night (I don't need to sleep much), I actually get a nice revenue from it.

My question is : should I mention this in my CV/personal statement, and during interviews?
I know it's often advised to talk about extra-medical activities, but I'm afraid it will make me look unprofessionnal.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a lot.

 

[ROBINHO]

ERAS has a spot for Hobby.... U might meet an interviewer who is also into music and it could go well.

In personal statement...I wont dedicate a lot of space unless u can link it to how it makes u a better doctor.

 

[gutonc]

So, I'm an IMG from France, and I will participate in the 2012 Match.
I'm in the process of writing my personal statement, etc...

I already completed a residency in my country, and on the side, I am a musical composer. I happen to write music for commercials, short films, etc... I have a small company (mostly internet-based), and working a few hours every night (I don't need to sleep much), I actually get a nice revenue from it.

My question is : should I mention this in my CV/personal statement, and during interviews?
I know it's often advised to talk about extra-medical activities, but I'm afraid it will make me look unprofessionnal.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a lot.

Yes, you should definitely mention this. I have a PhD and was on the board of directors of a non-profit dance company during med/grad school. Guess which one I got asked about more? Nobody cared about my research. And I wasn't even a choreographer/performer, just a board member.

If you have something unique and cool about you to include in your residency application, you should not just mention it but make relevant somehow.