How Do I Decide?

One outcome of new streamlined career pathways in medicine is that for junior doctors, key career decisions need to be made earlier. The information in this section is largely aimed at:

• doctors preparing for recruitment round to specialty training;
• doctors who are and in particular, who are considering building their medical career in Wales;
• doctors who are considering more complex decisions about career choices or changes.

In modern careers, it is normal to make several changes of direction within a career path and to make lateral as well as vertical moves. This is almost inevitable as over time, wider life priorities shift or the unexpected can happen.

There is no such thing as a right or wrong career decision, just what is best for you at a given time. Your personal choice of direction will be influenced by:

• what you define as rewarding work;
• what kinds of achievement are most important to you;
• what work-life factors you wish to balance;
• what skills and interests you have and want to optimise;
• types of work and team environment you prefer;
• practical factors such as finances, location etc.

Revisit the section “What do I Want?” for resources and links to help you with self and career assessment. The downloadable document in the Related Resources area on this page contains information on a number of decision-making techniques.

Some final tips for career decision-making:

• Be flexible: there are many great opportunities in medicine and always a range of pathways to reach a long term goal.
• Be realistic: a career dream is great to have, but not a guarantee and is attainable only in the context of the job market at a given time. Uncertainty and compromise are part of the process.

And never, ever be without a Plan B!