Start Your Surgical Career as a Medical Student
Medical school is an important time to explore your future career. As you progress through your studies, you may begin to consider which medical specialty you would like to pursue after graduation.
If you're considering a career in surgery, there are steps you can take during medical school to learn more about the profession, gain experience and develop the skills that will support your future surgical career.
You don't need to have your entire career planned while you're at medical school. However, gaining an understanding of surgical specialties, getting involved in relevant opportunities and seeking advice from experienced surgeons can help you make informed decisions about your future.
How to Prepare for a Career in Surgery
A surgical career requires clinical knowledge, practical skills, teamwork, communication and a commitment to continuous learning.
As a medical student, you can start developing your experience and understanding of surgery by:
- Exploring different surgical specialties and finding out what interests you
- Taking advantage of surgical placements and clinical opportunities
- Attending surgical teaching, courses, conferences and events
- Developing practical and clinical skills
- Getting involved in research, audits or other academic opportunities
- Building relationships with surgeons and other healthcare professionals
- Taking part in student surgical societies and professional networks
- Learning about postgraduate surgical training and examinations
- Keeping a record of relevant experience and achievements for your portfolio
Your medical school will provide opportunities to develop your clinical knowledge and skills, but seeking additional experiences can help you explore whether surgery is the right career for you
Gain Surgical Experience as a Medical Student
Gaining experience of surgery can help you understand what a surgical career involves and give you an opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills.
Look for opportunities to attend surgical placements, teaching sessions, conferences, skills workshops and other activities aimed at medical students.
You can also speak to surgeons and trainees about their experiences. Learning about different surgical specialties, training pathways and day-to-day clinical work can help you make informed decisions about your future career.
Build Your Surgical Portfolio
If you are considering applying for surgical training, it is worth understanding what will be expected of you early in your medical career.
Your experience and achievements can contribute to your professional development and future applications. Depending on your interests, you may wish to explore opportunities in areas such as:
- Surgical teaching and education
- Research and academic medicine
- Clinical audit and quality improvement
- Presentations and publications
- Surgical skills
- Leadership
- Teaching
- Conferences and professional events
- Volunteering and extracurricular activities
Don't focus solely on collecting achievements. Choose opportunities that genuinely interest you and help you develop skills that will be useful throughout your medical career.
How Can I Get Ahead
Discover practical ways to build surgical experience, develop your skills and prepare for a future career in surgery while you're at medical school.
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Start Your Surgical Career Journey with RCSEd
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh supports people interested in surgery throughout their professional journey.
If you're a student considering a career in surgery, joining our surgical or dental affiliate network can help you learn more about the profession and connect with opportunities, resources and support as you progress towards a career in medicine and surgery.
Surgical Affiliate Network
Are you a student, foundation doctor or trainee? Affiliate with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and we will lead and support you at every step of your career journey. Being part of our affiliate network will also give you access to a wide range of benefits and opportunities that you might otherwise miss out on.
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Dental Affiliate Network
As you progress in your study, complete your training, or prepare for your MFDS or Specialty Membership Examinations, having the right support is crucial. RCSEd is here to help you shape your dental career progression and offer you a wide range of resources for training, Membership and Fellowship Examinations and development opportunities.
Join nowExplore Surgical Courses and Events
Developing your surgical knowledge and skills doesn't have to stop at your medical school curriculum.
RCSEd provides educational opportunities, courses, events and resources that can help medical students explore surgery and develop their professional interests.
Explore opportunities that can complement your medical education and help you learn more about surgical practice.
Events
The College offers a wide range of educational events for surgical and dental students interested in surgery. These sessions offer early insight into clinical practice, training pathways and specialist areas, helping you build knowledge, skills and confidence as you begin your surgical journey.
Explore hereExplore Surgical Examinations
As you progress beyond medical school, postgraduate surgical examinations become an important part of the surgical training pathway.
The Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) is a postgraduate examination for doctors pursuing a career in surgery.
You don't need to sit MRCS while you're at medical school, but understanding the examination and wider surgical training pathway can help you plan your next steps after graduation.
MRCS Exam
Planning a career in surgery? Find out about the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons examination and how it fits into surgical training.
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What Happens After Medical School
After completing your medical degree, you'll progress into postgraduate medical training.
Doctors who are considering surgery can use their foundation training years to gain further experience, develop their skills and prepare to apply for surgical training.
The pathway then continues through surgical training and towards Fellowship and completion of specialty training.
Surgical Career Hub
Discover the stages of a surgical career, from medical school and foundation training to surgical training, examinations and Fellowship. Find guidance, resources and opportunities to support your journey at every stage.
Explore surgical career pathway
Advice for Medical Students Considering Surgery
Choosing a specialty is an important decision, and you don't need to make it alone.
Speak to surgeons, trainees, tutors and careers advisers to find out what different specialties involve. Try to gain experience in areas that interest you and consider what type of working environment, patients and clinical work you enjoy.
Surgery is a demanding career, but it can also be highly rewarding. The earlier you explore your options, the more informed you can be when making decisions about your future.