Transitions are part and parcel of one's career journey. Such changes may exist as you progress within your chosen field or extend to adjacent or completely new ventures. For those in the medical field, the transitions from high school, undergraduate studies, medical school, internship & residency, and ultimately into practice or a parallel field are no different. To do well at each next step, it is perhaps important to start with a fresh approach and open mindset in order to better adapt to each new environment and challenge.
So when thinking about transitions, the first thought that popped into my mind was the iconic scene from Friends where Ross, Rachel, and Chandler are "cantilevering" a mattress up a winding staircase. For those who are interested, the scene from the episode is here. Ross aptly yells out "Pivot, PIVOT, PIVOT" as they try to maneuver the unwieldy mattress up a set of stairs. Let's ignore the outcome of the pivoting in Friends for a moment (spoiler alert: it did not go well!). Instead, let's parallel the pivot example to life transitions.
Consider the following examples:
Students are graduating high school and/or college and are in the process of applying to medical school.
Students are donning their white coats upon matriculation into medical school, ready to begin their medical journey.
Medical school seniors are deciding upon their specialty of choice, geographic and demographic preferences for training, and residency program type.
Interns are beginning their "first job" in the field of medicine on July 1 of their medical school graduation year, uncertain about their new role as an official MD/DO in the health care system.
Residents have graduated from training and are finalizing plans for their first hired job as practicing physicians or are beginning subspecialty training as fellows. They are unsure of how best to navigate these next steps but are optimistic about their new roles.
In each of these cases, there are both significant career and life changes that occur. Even if you are in the same field progressing forward, there are new stages to which you must adapt. What is the best way to do so? Some solutions are as follows:
Breathe first. (Always a good idea!)
Adopt a fresh perspective.
Think about how you will take a new approach.
Prepare to learn new skills.
And finally...
Pivot!
Oxford Dictionary defines pivot in its verb form as "to change direction; to change the way in which something is done." Studying the way one did in high school and college will not work for medical school. The manner in which one cares for patients shifts as one progresses from the knowledge and skill level of a medical student to an intern, resident, and finally physician. Even as a practicing physician, there is a shift from being an early career physician to one who has greater experience. So, at each step, it is important to take time to breathe, assess, and re-evaluate the best way to approach a new stage.
So how can we PIVOT?
PIVOT
Pause & Ponder: take time to appreciate the moment/where you are at currently and what you have achieved up to now before moving forward
Introspect: consider your existing knowledge and skill level and then where you would like to ultimately be
Verify & Validate: confirm your current status and abilities and then determine the concrete steps you need to take to transcend to your next level of expertise
Optimize: make sure you have the tools and support needed to succeed
Try & Then Thrive: try to do your best (this is all anyone can do!), make the transitions or changes needed to succeed, & then thrive in your success!
And don't forget to ask for help from trusted individuals along the way. Remember that you are not alone and everyone can benefit at times from a helping hand. Reach out if you would like any guidance or just would like to chat about your next steps!
And finally, you can always watch an episode of Friends if you just need a moment to regroup and smile!
Wishing you success and joy in all of your existing and future endeavors,
Sincerely,
Dr. Vora
Rupal S. Vora, M.D., MPH, FACP
Founder MedStudentCoach LLC
Associate Clinical Professor, Internal Medicine Creighton University School of Medicine
(Prior Assistant Dean of Student Achievement ATSU-SOMA 2014-2022)
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