Flee Pathology Now!!!

I agree with Keratin Pearls. Yes, the job market is tough, but you will find something. It may not be your absolute dream job or location, but as long as you are happy and not getting screwed over, it's okay. I would much rather be getting paid less than going into any other field. I chose pathology for a reason and I am sticking it through irregardless. My husband is a general surgeon and has recruiters from all over the country constantly emailing and calling him, but would I want this job? Hell no!

Here are some statistics from the past years from my residency training program. I came from an academic center in a large northeast city. I hope it will make you think more optimistically.

Class of 2007: 1 did cyto & surgpath fellowships at an academic institution that later kept her as faculty; 1 did surgpath & breast fellowships and went into private practice at an undesirable location, but found a better gig in a better place 2 years later; 1 did a surgpath fellowship and went into private practice for 2 years before moving to a more desirable private practice locale.

Class of 2008: 1 did a surgpath fellowship with GI concentration and works for a corporate lab and the other did forensics and is in private practice. These are both their first jobs and they are happy with the locations.

Class of 2009: 1 did heme & blood bank and is in academia at the location of choice; 1 did dermpath and is in private practice back in her hometown; 1 did surgpath & GI fellowships and works for the government; 1 did surgpath & breast fellowships and started out in academia but is now is private/university affiliated at the desired location.

Class of 2010: 1 did surgpath fellowship and is in private practice; 1 did surgpath & GI fellowships and is in private practice; 1 did surgpath & dermpath and will be in private practice. These are all our first jobs and in the location we wanted.

Class of 2011: 1 did surgpath fellowship and is in private/university affiliated at the location of choice; 1 did surgpath and is private practice in location of choice; 1 did surgpath & is currently doing cyto at the same academic institution; 1 did molecular & is currently doing surgpath; 1 is doing dermpath now & pediatric pathology next year.

As you can see from the trend, most folks do two fellowships (surgpath + X). Almost everyone got their location of choice, either the first or second time around. Most were geographically restricted, but it didn't seem to be a problem in the end. Also, most found their jobs through networking and word of mouth, not the forums or on-line advertisements. Salaries first year out ranged from $185-225, not including bonuses. Most folks are pretty happy with their jobs and felt as though our training program prepared us well.

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Flee Pathology Now!!!