There are many career options for a doctor, so choosing which path to follow after graduation is not an easy task. After all, the reality of each professional demands different needs, also according to the doctor's goals. Understand the details of each possibility and decide which is best for you.
Whether newly graduated or not, every doctor's goal is to find a field of practice that best suits their needs, be they related to their well-being, finances, or objectives. These are the factors that should be considered and that will determine the best path for their career in medicine.
Generally speaking, there are 4 possible areas of action:
● Traditional hiring;
● Starting your own business;
● Passing a public service exam;
● Academic career in Medicine;
Although they are different from each other, it is worth remembering that some of these options can be pursued simultaneously. In other words, the doctor does not need to choose only one area exclusively, and can distribute their time between two different occupations.
In this article, you will learn more about the pros and cons of each option and understand which one makes the most sense for your career in Medicine.
Traditional hiring
For professionals who don't want to worry about administrative and bureaucratic issues, having a job in a hospital, clinic, or club is a great option.
After all, in addition to providing the stability of a monthly salary, it's also a good way to gain experience in patient care, opening up the possibility of professional growth and even management positions, such as director of the institution, for example.
It's possible to find vacancies in this type of work in various ways: through websites, networking, and even by getting to know the most reputable places in the market. Besides these methods, there are entities that also offer similar services, such as the São Paulo Doctors' Union (SIMESP), which has a job bank – you just need a CRM (professional registration) from the state to access the logged-in area.
It's also worth remembering that the more specialized you are, the more you will stand out in the market. A postgraduate degree in Medicine, for example, is a great way to enter more competitive areas or attract the attention of large clinics that seek excellent professionals.
The choice of institution for pursuing this postgraduate degree is also very important: as in any field, it makes your resume more attractive. Furthermore, it brings greater excellence to your service, setting it apart from professionals who don't prioritize this quality.
Own business and career in Medicine.
For doctors seeking more autonomy, both in day-to-day decisions and scheduling, opening their own practice may be the best solution.
In these cases, specialization is also extremely important: by specializing in a particular area, through postgraduate studies, for example, gaining the public's trust becomes easier. This is because you will always be up-to-date on possible treatments, and may become the first person people seek out when problems related to that specific area arise.
By choosing this path, as the reputation of the place – and consequently your own – is built, you also have the possibility of earning even more by working in your own practice, instead of working for a third party.
But it's worth remembering that the work and responsibility will be much greater, since each result will also depend on your business management strategy, and not just your expertise in medicine.
For this reason, if you want to open your own practice or clinic, a well-structured business plan is essential. Here are some points to consider:
- Target audience: seek to define and understand all the details of the audience you will focus on in your services – this definition will dictate the direction of many other steps;
- Location: Choose the best physical space for your plans, also considering the location. Remember to consider the target audience here: is it an easily accessible location for them?
- Costs: Make a list of all the expenses necessary to get your business off the ground – rent, hiring (receptionist, secretaries), investment in equipment, water, electricity, marketing, etc.
- Documentation: Analyze which documents will be necessary to open the clinic or office. Additionally, research which technical regulations from regulatory bodies (such as the Health Surveillance Agency) you will need to comply with. Based on this research, ensure you have all the necessary documentation up to date.
- Marketing: Just like in any other sector, marketing is a big part of the business. Therefore, seek to specialize in this or hire people who can help with marketing. It will be crucial not only to attract patients but also to retain them.
Public tender
The option of taking a public service exam is very relevant for doctors seeking greater stability. However, the path to get there can be quite challenging.
Precisely because of the benefits, the various public service exams are always highly competitive, requiring years of preparation and study, even when considering the various institutions: city halls, state governments, federal government, courts, among others.
Of these, the greatest demand comes from the interior of the states, where there is a greater shortage of professionals, while the capitals and large cities have a large concentration of professionals, also increasing competition – after all, that's what most doctors are looking for. In this sense, another counterpoint needs to be considered: often, it is necessary to be willing to be away from family and friends to take advantage of the opportunity.
Furthermore, in many cases, there may not be adequate infrastructure for the work, with a lack of equipment and medication, which interferes with the practice of medicine.
Despite all the advantages, it's no wonder they are so competitive: the positions offer excellent salaries and long-term contracts, providing all the stability a doctor dreams of. Furthermore, depending on the workload, it's possible to combine these activities with appointments in a private practice or another job – which further boosts income.
Academic career in Medicine
Because it's an option that can be combined with any of the previous ones, an academic career is the right choice for doctors passionate about teaching and knowledge.
Those who make this choice can teach undergraduate or graduate in the health field, such as Medicine or Nursing.
There are also doctors who want to dedicate their entire lives to this, being able to teach at all times, or divide their routine between teaching and research.
It's worth remembering that this possibility implies a more extensive study than just an undergraduate degree: in most cases, the professional needs to have a postgraduate (such as master's and doctoral degrees).
Where should I begin my career in medicine?
The first step will always be to analyze your goals and your reality and, based on the benefits and challenges of each option, understand which activity best suits you.
Once that decision is made, the next step is to define where you want to go professionally and structure the plan you will use to get there:
Pursuing a postgraduate degree? Studying to pass a competitive exam? Specializing in a field and opening your own practice?
With that direction defined, all that's left is to focus on planning. Otherwise, you risk spending your professional life settling for "whatever comes along.".
Take charge of your career. The sooner you start thinking about it and doing what's necessary to reach your goals, the sooner you'll begin to achieve success.
