Academic goals in surgery.
The development of an academic surgical career can be an overwhelming prospect, and one that is not intuitive. Establishing a structured plan and support structure is critical to success. Starting a successful academic surgical career begins with defining one's academic goals within several broad categories: personal goals, academic goals, research goals, educational goals, and financial goals. Learning the art of self-promotion is the means by which many of these goals are achieved. It is important to realize that achieving these goals requires a delicate personal balance between work and home life, and the key ways in which to achieve success require establishment of well thought-out goals, a reliable support structure, realistic and clear expectations, and frequent re-evaluation.
Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Joshua I S
JI
Bleier
Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Brian
B
Kann
academic goals; mentors; self-promotion; surgical career