Career options for newly graduated doctors: there are many choices , and it's impossible to say that one is the best. After all, each situation demands different needs, also depending on the doctor's goals. Understand the details of each possibility and decide which is best for YOU.
Whether newly graduated or not, the goal of doctors is always to find a practice that best suits their needs, be they related to their well-being, their finances, their dreams, and much more.
Career opportunities for newly graduated doctors and possible areas of practice
- Looking for a job: whether in a hospital, a clinic, or a club;
- Starting your own business: such as a doctor's office or clinic;
- Taking a civil service exam: seeking greater job security;
- Pursue an academic career: teaching and/or conducting research.
Although they are different from each other, it is worth remembering that some of these options can be performed simultaneously – that is, the doctor does not need to choose only one area exclusively.
Below, you can learn more about the pros and cons of each of the options.
Looking for a job
For professionals who wish to avoid administrative and bureaucratic issues, working in a hospital or clinic is an excellent option.
Ultimately, besides guaranteeing salary stability, it's a great way to gain experience in customer service and grow professionally, potentially even reaching management positions.
Where can I find job openings?
It's possible to find job openings in this field in several ways: through websites , via networking , and even by getting to know the most reputable places in the market.
In addition to 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. Postgraduate degrees in Medicine, for example, are a great way to enter areas with higher demand or attract the attention of large clinicsthat seek highly qualified professionals.
The institution chosen for your postgraduate studies is crucial, highlighting your resume and bringing excellence to your service, differentiating you from professionals who do not prioritize quality.
Own business for newly graduated doctors
For those seeking more autonomy , both in day-to-day decisions and schedules, opening their own practice may be the best solution for newly graduated doctors
In these cases, specialization is also extremely important: by becoming an expert in a particular area, through postgraduate studies, for example, gaining the trust becomes even more possible.
This is because you will always be up-to-date on possible treatments, and you may become the first person he seeks out if problems related to that specific area arise.
By building your reputation and that of your practice, you can earn more by seeing patients in your own office than by working for others.
Newly graduated doctors and the challenges of owning their own business
However, it's worth remembering that the responsibility will be greater, as the results will depend on your management strategy, in addition to 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 that will be necessary for your business to get 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 analysis, begin the process of obtaining this documentation.
- 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 you with marketing. It will be crucial to winning over not only patients, but also their loyalty.
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 – while the competition is for the capitals and large cities – after all, that's what most doctors are looking for.
In this sense, another counterpoint needs to be considered: often, one must 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 positive aspects, 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 is possible to combine these activities with appointments at one's own practice or another job – which further increases income.
Academic career
As 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 courses 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 important to remember that this possibility implies a more comprehensive education than just an undergraduate degree: the professional needs to have a postgraduate (such as master's and doctoral degrees).
Okay. But where do I start?
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.
Having made this career decision as a newly graduated doctor, 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 your way."
Take charge of your career. The sooner you start thinking about it and doing what's necessary to achieve your goals, the sooner you'll begin to achieve success.
