Career panel for pathology residents: going beyond the core curriculum.

OBJECTIVES To increase awareness in pathology residents of different career choices and familiarize them with the job market. METHODS For 3 years, community pathologists and faculty members participated in half-day panels that residents attended voluntarily. Panelists presented their professional life experiences and shared advice. We showcase the implementation and resident evaluation of these panels. RESULTS Panelists were rated as outstanding or excellent for relevance. Residents chose the following themes as most useful: visualizing the array of practices (community, part-time, public health, and others), careers that follow unexpected courses and people taking advantage of opportunities as they happen, knowing that not having a definitive direction is frequent, and finding out what different practices look for when they are hiring. CONCLUSIONS Career planning is a neglected aspect of pathology residency training, and panels in which pathologists present their experiences are helpful to prepare residents for what lies ahead.