Set your sights high with dedicated careers support
Careers Adviser Jennifer Connell lifts the lid on the extensive range of careers resources and activities aimed specifically at student doctors, helping you explore your future career in medicine.
What careers resources are available to me here at the School?
You can browse our Careers Resources (link) on the dedicated student intranet page. These include over 50 videos in which our own Specialty Leads, together with a number of external representatives, openly discuss the rewards and challenges of their specialty, and advise what you could already be doing now as a student to increase your chances of getting into that specialty later on.
Our collection of Alumni Stories (link) provide further inspiration, and are just another example of what you will find on this useful, and ever-growing web area.
Are there careers events which will help me explore the different specialties?
Back in 2019, we organised a face-to-face Careers Fair at the Adelphi Hotel, and more recently we have taken this online with a virtual fair in 2020 and a series of virtual Specialty Taster Evenings earlier this year.
For 2022-23, we are doing things a little differently with our monthly Careers Clinics, with each one featuring a small group of specialties.
They’re a great opportunity for students from years 1-5 (whether right at the beginning of exploring the specialties, or with a long-held interest in a particular one) to ask a clinician what it is really like to practise in their field.
Our first Careers Clinic, focusing on General Practice, took place in November, and our next one will be on Wednesday 14th December 2pm-3pm, and will feature paediatrics and clinical pharmacology and therapeutics.
We are excited to be partnering with the relevant student societies for each Careers Clinic, giving students the added benefit of networking with clinicians likely to be of interest to them. All students are very much encouraged to make the most of this opportunity. You may like to browse our Example Questions (link) for inspiration. Keep a close eye on the Student Bulletin for future dates and sign up.
What support is there to gain an insight into the Foundation Programme or to help with my application?
An event next Wednesday evening, 30th November 5pm-7pm, offers a relaxed and informal opportunity to ask questions of four local F2 doctors (some of whom are Liverpool alumni) with a view to answering a key question of interest to medical students - What it is really like to be on the Foundation Programme?
The event is open to student doctors in Years 3, 4 and 5 and takes place in the Formby Room (G15), Cedar House. Find out more, and book your place on Handshake (link).
Meanwhile, support for next year’s Year 5 cohort with the process of applying to the 2024 Foundation Programme will begin later this year and includes dedicated sessions delivered by Liverpool alumni on the Specialised Foundation Programme, one-to-one reviews of applications, and practice interviews.
Is there any opportunity for one-to-one careers advice?
Of course! 40-minute one-to-one careers appointments, offered by myself as your dedicated Careers Adviser, are available on Monday mornings, Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings. They take place via Zoom, but face-to-face appointments can be requested, if preferred.
Any student can book an appointment, and any query or broad discussion around the theme of careers is welcome.
Topics which may be of interest include discussions about intercalation courses, the Foundation Programme or the various specialties.
You are welcome to bring draft CVs and personal statements to be reviewed e.g. for intercalated courses, or to ask for a practice interview. You may be looking into working abroad or applying for further study – we can discuss that too. Appointments can be booked via Handshake (link).
What’s your biggest piece of advice to student doctors in preparing for a career in medicine?
With over 60 specialties to explore, it’s never too early to find out about them for yourself; rather than waiting for hands-on experience on placement.
Email School Careers Adviser Jennifer Connell at careers.mbchb@liverpool.ac.uk for a copy of ‘How to maximise your potential whilst at medical school’, which outlines the activities which accrue points towards the specialties, and how you can put these into practice.