Seeking career guidance

There are a number of sources to consider approaching for career guidance. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages....

Some have direct charges (£) and some will not (0) - but remember than no career guidance is ever entirely "free". Providing objective, constructive one to one careers guidance is a labour intensive activity and even seeking support from a tutor or deanery incurs a cost (even if it is not to your pocket).

Even the DIY approach requires the allocation of time and effort (to do it properly that is).

Similarly - not seeking career guidance when you need to can also incur a "cost" and although this might be financial it is perhaps more likely to be the emotional cost to you and your family when a career dilemma or challenge remains unresolved. Time wasted in the wrong job or in the wrong location or the wrong speciality is also costly.

So before you approach anyone at work or elsewhere, for a career discussion, remember to make the best use of your time and theirs. Take a structured approach to analysing your thoughts about your career (our workbook can help  as can filling in the four page FP-CS-PP irrespective of your grade - see CGEtoolkit for a sample copy in the "no password yet" section) as this will help you to focus effectively on one or more of the following....
* your career desires, aims or aspirations
* what you want from the discussion
* your own personal strengths, weaknesses, values, skills etc and how to maximise these
* areas that have been causing you concern

Sources of personalised career guidance

Yourself - the DIY approach (0) We recommend at least some work alone before you approach any of those below

Colleagues/bosses/peers (0) - generally range from cheerful, knowledgeable and supportive where career guidance is concerned through to biased, pressurising and blinkered. Take as many opinions as you can therefore and realise that you will often be getting opinions rather than a purely objective approach.

Tutors (0) - the clinical/GP/college tutors - the coalface experts in traditional clinical careers

Deaneries (0) - fourteen are listed and mMost have particular experts within their doors - eg associate dean for flexible training, associate dean for PRHOs, careers advisor etc.

Medical Forum (0 - ££ ) - we hope this site speaks for itself!

University careers office (0 - £) - try your old uni first! The libraries are usually good but they can look at medics a bit as if they have two heads! If you graduated a long time ago they may make a charge.

Commercial career consultancies (£££) - try yellow pages but be prepared for some expense , for them to not have a clue about what you have done in your career and for them to rely quite heavily on "tests" - some of which like personality analysis are interesting and useful but which do not always incorporate the remaining 15 out of 16 Career Factors which need to be addressed in any career discussion or plan (see Career Guidance Essentials course)

If you know of any other resources that would be of interest to vistors on this site - do please email us (see link at bottom of the page).

Medical Forum can assist with the DIY approach by providing a wide range of materials, resource links (for more factual information sources that can help your career) and some publications (like our Career Workbook or "defining career success e-course" which can help to put some structure and guidelines into formulating your own career plans and dreams. We also provide personalised career programmes by distance learning and in person as well as supporting those in medical education whose remit it is to set up "in-house" career guidance facilities.