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Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Practice Perfect Editor
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Podiatric Medicine,
Surgery & Biomechanics
College of Podiatric Medicine
Western University of
Health Sciences,
St, Pomona, CA |
Is A Career in Academic
Medicine for You?
It’s the end of the year and most of our senior podiatric residents have, hopefully, found a job. For those of you new in practice, though, consider this: the vast majority of you will not stay with that first position. You may leave because of dissatisfaction with your new boss or the town you live in or perhaps the practice volume. It may be for any number or combination of reasons. For a small group of you, though, there may be another reason: you’re meant to teach. Are you meant for a career in academia?
My current position as an assistant professor in podiatric medicine, surgery, and biomechanics at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine is the third position in my short 5 year career. Overall, I found my first 4 years in practice (2 in private practice and 2 in a multispecialty hospital-based practice) to be fulfilling. However,
there was something lacking during those years that I couldn’t put my finger on. It wasn’t until the past year as a professor that I truly realized what was missing. After spending the past year at the University, I feel like I found the place I belong — a professional home.
So, how do you know you’re cut out to be a professor? Ask yourself the following questions.
- Do you love podiatric medicine and surgery?
- Does the idea of working with various levels of students and residents excite you?
- Do you enjoy professional variety on a daily basis?
- Do you approach the practice of podiatric medicine and surgery with an open mind?
- Is practicing evidence-based scientific medicine a strong desire for you professionally?
- Does being surrounded by a network of both podiatric and general medical physicians sound interesting?
- Do you want the chance to do basic science or clinical research?
- Does working for a larger organization interest you?
- Do you desire the opportunity to be a leader and to work with the leaders of our profession?
If you answer yes to a reasonable number of these questions, you might be a good fit for academic podiatric medicine. I’ve spoken with individuals who’ll make amazing future educators, and what always surprises me are the numbers of podiatrists who never even consider academia as a career option.
If you think you might be interested, don’t be deterred by that little voice in your head that comes up with reasons not to teach. Personally, I’d always enjoyed teaching — though I had no formal teaching experience. I love talking shop with other physicians and thrive on learning new things from the amazing community of physicians around me. I especially enjoy the time I spend with my students. Whether in clinic or classroom, they challenge me to be a better doctor and to know more. Having to explain concepts strengthens my own knowledge and understanding. It also brings up numerous unanswered questions. I feel more knowledgeable now about my profession than I have at any point since residency.
My weekly schedule is incredibly varied, ranging from clinical conferences, small group discussions, lectures, workshops, clinics, and surgery to administrative meetings and cutting edge clinical work throughout the College and University. As a result of my position, I’ve been given the opportunity to speak at conferences, write journal articles and a book chapter, and participate in local and national podiatric leadership roles. As someone who gets bored easily, this position provides me the variety I need to stay fired up about my job. What more can you ask?
And that’s just my individual experience. My partners at the College of Podiatric Medicine have varied interests and experiences, often quite different from mine. And the University environment provides the broadest range of opportunities and potential for growth.
If any of this sounds interesting to you, feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] and we can talk further. Come see the future of podiatric medicine — it’s all there in academia.
Keep writing in with your thoughts and comments. Better yet, post them in our eTalk forum.
Best wishes.
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT Practice Perfect Editor
[email protected]
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