As an international medical student, doing US clinical rotations is an essential part to building your US residency application. This experience can help you show residency programs your ability to navigate the complex US healthcare system and the opportunity to ask for a letter of recommendation for your application. Letters of recommendation are typically required to apply at many residency programs and are used in the residency selection process.
While these aspects are important to building your overall candidacy, building relationships and networking during your experience can be just as crucial to matching. During clinical rotations, many medical students focus solely on garnering a relationship with their preceptor to gain a letter of recommendation. However, forging other relationships outside of your preceptor can be a good way to get more connections, find mentorship, and create a support system for yourself.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the various ways that networking during your clinical rotation can lead to important mentorship and other opportunities in the residency application process.
Let’s dive into it!
How to Network
Understanding how to network before your clinical rotation is essential to identifying key networking opportunities around you. For example, you may spark a conversation with your preceptor about something related to your patient’s diagnosis or treatment plan. You may segue into other topics such as your interests in certain fields, research, or career paths. However, finding opportunities for these conversations isn’t always second nature.
Understanding Place & Time
The first step in networking is understanding the place and time. Identifying the right time and climate is crucial in networking effectively. This can be during some downtime or in casual conversation. To give you an idea, asking the preceptor questions during the middle of a patient encounter might come across as rude or inconsiderate. In most cases, you can typically start off by creating a professional relationship. Over time, this relationship can evolve more as you create trust and a rapport with them. This is why many medical students doing US clinical experience ask for a letter of recommendation at the conclusion of their experience. To learn the best tips about how to ask for a letter of recommendation, visit this blog post at MD2B Connect’s website.
Finding Common Goals & Interests
Obviously, the main thing you’ll have in common during your clinical rotations will be your interest in medicine. However, sharing more about yourself can open the door to a realm of possibilities. For example, in conversation, you could mention your medical school which could resonate with the individual you are networking with. It could be the specific school, the country, or even a connection they have from your school. Additionally, to help break the ice, you could even share your hobbies or passions. You’d be surprised to find the number of similar interests you have with somebody over the span of a simple conversation. While it can be awkward finding a way to explore these topics, you’ll want to present the conversation naturally.
Networking During Your Clinical Rotation
During your rotation experience at the hospital or clinic, it’s likely you’ll mostly be working alongside your preceptor. Prioritizing one-on-one time with your preceptor to ask questions, discuss learning opportunities, and create rapport, is essential to forming a professional relationship. Consider taking the time to ask thoughtful questions related to patient care, medical treatments, or procedures. Another way to start the conversation is to ask the preceptor or possible mentor about themselves and their journey. People love when others show an interest in their story, and it gives them the opportunity to talk about themselves. It also creates some mutual rapport and gives you the opportunity to gain some valuable insight.
You should also network with other staff and healthcare professionals working alongside you. If you’re rotating at a hospital with a residency program, it can be valuable to network with the residents in the program. This can help you if you are considered for an interview there, as residents are sometimes involved in the residency selection process. These individuals could advocate on your behalf given you were able to make a good impression.
Mentorship Outside of Your Clinical Rotation
To make the most out of your experience, you should consider other ways to network and connect with other medical professionals. At RotatingRoom, medical students can rent spaces and rooms from other medical students and professionals. Nurses, doctors, and professors, for example, can lease their rooms on their platform to medical students looking for a place to stay during their rotation experience.
This offers a unique opportunity to foster mentoring and guidance. Gaining these professional relationships can help you in numerous ways. One way is by creating a support system for yourself. By connecting with other like-minded individuals, they can relate with you about the match process and offer valuable support. It could even open the door to making more connections. If they’re a practicing physician or professor, they may also provide advice and help advocate for you during interview season.
Professional Organizations
Joining professional organizations is a great way for medical students to find mentorship and network with other like-minded medical professionals. Just to name a few, some organizations are American Medical Women’s Association, National Medical Association, and American Medical Group Association. These organizations offer various mentoring and networking opportunities to its members.
During your rotation, you may be able to attend events hosted by the organization or association. You can use that time to meet other members and network. Joining these organizations could also help to spark conversation as a point of similar interest. You can visit the websites of organizations you’re interested in for more research and membership requirements.
Advocacy & the Long-Term Effects of Networking
The benefits of finding mentorship and networking opportunities during your clinical rotations, and even outside of them, is invaluable and can be the determining factor to matching successfully. Through networking, you can find individuals that believe in you and have a stake in your success. Mentors can help you along your journey in applying for the US residency match. They may be able to offer you advice on the residency application, advocate on your behalf, or put you in touch with their other connections.
In conclusion, the relationships and connections you make whilst networking can last a lifetime, opening the door for opportunities even beyond residency. By identifying mentors and key opportunities to network during your US clinical rotations, you can surround yourself with a community of fellow professionals that are rooting for your success.
Author: Alyssa Harlow, Director of Marketing, MD2B Connect
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