Navigating the Job Market with the #SurgeonAgent

June 18, 2020

ByrdAdatto is grateful to have this article contribution from guest author, Matthew Vuckovich, Founder of Exclusive Medical Advisors. This article does not express the opinions of ByrdAdatto and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any questions regarding the article, please contact Matthew directly.


As the #SurgeonAgent, I work with plastic, orthopaedic, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic, and vascular surgeon clients across the country.  I am often asked, “where do I start in the job search process?” This seems to be the most common question graduating residents and fellows have, and rightfully so, as it’s the first time in their life they are required to make the dreaded transition from student to professional job seeker. Since the outcome is specific to what the individual is looking for, let’s look at it from a bird’s-eye view.

Evaluate Opportunities

First and foremost, it’s important to understand the landscape of different job opportunities: academic, health system, and private. I’m a big advocate in always exploring the entire market because you really never know what you will find unless you turn over every rock. Each career path comes with its own pros and cons. Make sure you do your own due diligence by asking around and seeking advice from colleagues in different job settings. It is beneficial to ask them about the pros and cons, evaluate their input, and then figure out the ideal career path that makes sense for you.

Set Your Professional Goals

Once you have an internal understanding of what career path would be most ideal, it’s time to understand what you’re looking for in a career. This step allows you to understand which career path might provide you the most satisfaction.  Some of you have goals to be a Department Chair or Program Director, and others will want to run their own private practice. Take time to think this through since you are planning for your professional future, not just the next 2 – 3 years. The better you understand your wants and ambitions, the more focused you will be in your job search.

Location, Location, Location

After you have an idea of what career path you’re interested in and what you’re looking for in a career, the next step is to think about where you would like to live. This is a topic that I frequently discuss with clients and everyone has their . Some will target big cities like LA, Chicago, NYC, DFW, and Miami, while others will focus on cost of living, quality of life, taxes, and school districts. I see more and more clients really zone in on a where they’d like to raise a family and what each city or area can provide them down the line.  For my clients that are single, social life (or lack thereof as a new surgeon), entertainment, and city atmosphere are items they inquire about most.

Each situation presents its own opportunities and obstacles to work through, so it’s important get an understanding of what you want out of a career. At the end of the day, we don’t know where the offers will come from, so we must always be sure to keep an open mind and a positive attitude.

Matthew Vuckovich was a guest in our podcast, Legal 123s with ByrdAdatto.

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