Career Conversations that Count: Empowering IM Trainees for Success
Eric Barna MD
Our Roadmap
KNOW… Structured career mentorship empowers residents to make informed, confident career decisions.
DO… Engage residents early, provide phased guidance and connect them with meaningful opportunities.
FEEL… Inspired and better equipped to shape the next generation through purposeful mentorship.
Why Career Planning Matters
Accelerated timeline
Strengths and Values
Enhanced Fulfillment
Job/Fellowship Readiness
“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” – Oprah Winfrey
The Mentorship Framework (The 4 C's)
Clarify
Help residents define their interests, strengths, and values to establish clear career direction.
Connect
Provide networking opportunities and facilitate introductions to expand professional relationships.
Coach Guide through applications, interviews, interviews, and critical career decisions with expert advice.
Cultivate
Offer ongoing mentorship mentorship and support support that extends beyond residency into professional practice.
Align Your Frequency
Start With Open Ended Questions:
❑ What excites you about your future career?
❑ What aspects of residency do you enjoy?
❑ What does life look like in 5-10 years?
Avoid Making Assumptions
❑ Not all residents want to go into fellowship
❑ What lifestyle factors matter most?
❑ Don’t forget about non-traditional careers such as health policy, industry, and AI.
Establish Mentorship Preference
Have you had mentorship before? What style works best for you?
Engaging Residents in Career Discussions
Addressing Common Barriers
Lack of Career Clarity
Help residents define interests through structured exploration.
Leverage the CCC mentorship community for specialized guidance.
Time Constraints
Embed career discussions into existing meetings. Make efficient use of limited connection opportunities.
Confidence Issues
Address imposter syndrome through affirmation and realistic goal-setting.
Work-Life Harmony
Ensure appropriate career choice choice alignment with life vision. vision.
Tools & Resources for Effective Mentorship
Professional Organizations Organizations
Utilize career roadmaps from ACP, ACP, SHM, and AAIM. These offer offer specialty-specific guidance for guidance for varied career paths. paths.
Local Institutional Programs
Leverage CHAMP for hospitalist hospitalist mentorship and Dr Weintraub for Primary Care guidance.
Local Networks
Do not forget to leverage the knowledge of the CCC faculty advisors, subspecialists and program leadership.
Actionable Steps
"Show me a successful individual, and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in their life. I don’t care what you do for a living—if you do it well, I’m sure someone was cheering you on or showing you the way."
Denzel Washington
FEEL… Inspired and better equipped to shape the next generation through purposeful mentorship.