Career Advising
The Career Advising Program is specifically designed to help our M3s and M4s navigate their paths to successful careers. Our mission is to help you develop a solid plan for pursuing your specialty of interest. Career Advisors are available from all specialties and can provide guidance along your journey to successfully match into your specialty of choice.
As a student, you will be able to take advantage of opportunities to discuss and ask questions of your Career Advisor related to such matters as how to choose electives or how to prepare a CV and personal statement; what to expect during residency interviews; and how to survive the match process.
Our Career Advising Program also offers a variety of events throughout the year to help you navigate your medical career journey. We host a Career Journey keynote speaker, a panel on selecting the best summer opportunities to pursue between M1 and M2 years, a residency fair, information on research opportunities at Stritch and beyond, mock interviews, and CV-building sessions.
Career Advising Checklist by Year
M1
Goals
- Shadow physicians to explore specialties
- Meet with OSA and ACE for career advising
- Participate in STAR, STAR equivalency, ISI, and other academic summer opportunities
- Begin building CV, research experience, and professional skills
Fall (September - October)
- Start shadowing and join interest groups to explore specialties
- Attend sessions for Specialty Interest Groups
- Attend Career Development Month events (CV workshops, Primary Care panels, and signature events)
- Attend Summer Opportunities Panel and Intro to STAR event
- Reflect on career choices in PCM 1, small groups
Winter (November - December)
- Meet with academic advisors to review semester process
- Continue exploring interests and career paths
- Complete AAMC Medical Specialty Preference Inventory (MSPI)
Spring (January - March)
- Apply for STAR or other summer programs
- Continue shadowing and exploring career paths
- Continue engaging in advising and planning conversations
- Attend Residency Fair
Late Spring (April - May)
- Meet with academic advisors to review the year
- Discuss summer plans (research, clinical exposure, etc.)
Summer (June - July)
- Participate in summer research or other rewarding activities
- Begin building relationships with mentors and advisors
- Continue shadowing and exploring career paths
M2
Goals
- Meet with physicians to explore specialties
- Meet with OSA and ACE advising regularly
- Begin building CV, research experience, and professional skills
- Attend sessions on Preparing for Step 1
Fall (August - October)
- Continue shadowing to explore specialties
- Attend sessions for Specialty Interest Groups
- Attend Career Development Month events (CV Workshops, panels, and signature events)
- Meet with Academic Advisors (individual)
- Check out Careers in Medicine Specialty Profile Page to gather information about specialty pathways
Winter (November - December)
- Continue exploring interests and career paths
- Register for Step 1
- Planning M3 year with OSA (Presentation)
Spring (January - April)
- Attend Step Prep Events (ACE)
- Step 1 Dedicated Starts in March
- Continue engaging in advising and planning conversations
- Meet with OSA and ACE as needed
- Meet with academic advisors to review the year
- Take Step 1
- Attend the Residency Fair and attend the reflection session
M3
Goals
- Meet with physicians to explore specialties
- Meet with career advisors about choosing a specialty
- Draft your CV and personal statement
- Attend sessions on Preparing for Step 2
- Attend Orientation to M3 year
Late Spring/Summer (May - August)
- Meet with Career Advisor and OSA (individual or group)
- Check out the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities website
Fall (September - October)
- Reflect in PCM 3 small groups about career choices
- Attend PPD 3 sessions
- Attend Career Development Month events (CV Workshops, panels, and signature event)
Winter (November - December)
- Career Advising Meeting #1: completed by December 15
- Attend Intro to Fourth Year
- Reflect in PCM 3 small groups about career choices
Spring (January - March)
- Apply for Electives and Away Rotations
- Meet with Career Advisor and review M4 schedule
- Continue engaging in advising and planning conversations
- Attend PCM 3 small groups and PPD 3 session on electives
Late Spring (April - May)
- Attend PCM 3 small groups and PPD 3 sessions
- Career Advising Meeting #2: completed by April 15
- Update CV and begin Personal Statement draft
Summer (June - August)
- Attend PCM 3 small groups and PPD 3 sessions
- Continue to meet with Career Advisors
M4
Goals
- Meet with career advisors about residency applications
- Finalize your CV and Personal Statement
- Attend sessions on Preparing for Step 2
- Early match deadlines are in early September; ERAS deadline is in late September
- Interview and match
Summer (June - August)
- Obtain letter of recommendation
- Draft Personal Statement and CV
Fall (September - October)
- Residency application due
- Sign up for ACE mock interviews
- Meet with Career Advisor and OSA (individual or group)
- Check out the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities
Winter (November - December)
- Meet with Career Advisors if concerned about the number of interviews or interview performance
- Continue with your Sub I's
- Continue the interview process
- Military Match results released
- Take Step 2 Exam
Spring (January - March)
- Continue with your Sub I's
- Submit rank program list (consider review with Career Advisor)
- Early match: Ophthalmology and Urology
- Match day
Late Spring (April - May)
- Continue with your Sub I's
- Graduation