How Can I Get Ahead in Surgery

Join a Surgical Society

Many medical schools have a student-led surgical society for students interested in surgery.

Joining a surgical society can be a great way to:

• Meet other students interested in surgery
• Attend talks and educational events
• Learn from surgeons and surgical trainees
• Develop your understanding of different surgical specialties
• Take part in research, teaching or other activities
• Develop leadership and organisational skills by joining a committee

If your medical school does not have a surgical society, you could consider speaking to your university about starting one.

RCSEd also supports activities, events and awards involving medical student surgical societies.

Get Surgical Experience

Clinical experience can help you understand what a career in surgery is really like.

Look for opportunities to spend time in surgical departments, attend clinics, observe theatre activity and speak to surgeons and trainees about their careers.

You may also be able to gain experience through:

• Surgical placements
• Clinical electives
• Surgical teaching
• Skills courses
• Conferences and events
• Research projects
• Clinical audit and quality improvement

Use these opportunities to explore different surgical specialties and think about what interests you.

Get Involved in Research and Audit

Research and clinical audit can help you develop skills in critical thinking, data analysis, evidence-based medicine and presenting your findings.

As a medical student, you could look for opportunities to:

• Join a research project
• Undertake a clinical audit
• Contribute to a publication
• Present research at a conference or symposium
• Take part in a student research event
• Explore an academic area of surgery that interests you

Choose projects that genuinely interest you and use them as an opportunity to learn.

Attend Surgical Courses and Events

Courses, conferences and educational events can help you develop your surgical knowledge and practical skills beyond your medical school curriculum.

RCSEd provides courses and events for students and early-career doctors interested in surgery.

These can also provide opportunities to meet consultants, surgical trainees and other students with an interest in surgery.

Build Your Professional Network

Speaking to surgeons and trainees is one of the best ways to learn more about a surgical career.

Ask about their experiences, training pathway, specialty and day-to-day work. Talking to people at different stages of their careers can help you understand the opportunities and challenges involved in becoming a surgeon.

Speak to a Regional Surgical Adviser

RCSEd's Regional Surgical Adviser Network provides access to surgeons who can offer advice and guidance to eligible affiliates interested in a surgical career.

Regional Surgical Advisers are available across the UK and internationally.

Explore Postgraduate Surgical Training Early

You don't need to start preparing for postgraduate examinations while you're still at medical school, but understanding the surgical training pathway can help you plan ahead.

After medical school, doctors progress through foundation training before applying for specialty training. Those pursuing surgery will then work towards the requirements of their chosen surgical training pathway.

The Membership of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (MRCS) is an important postgraduate examination for doctors pursuing a career in surgery.

If you're approaching the end of medical school and are certain that surgery is the career you want to pursue, you may also wish to explore postgraduate educational opportunities that can support your transition into surgical training.

Is Surgery Right for Me

Before deciding on a surgical career, take the opportunity to find out what being a surgeon is really like.

Speak to surgeons, trainees and foundation doctors and try to gain experience across different surgical specialties. This can help you understand the different career paths, working environments and training requirements available to you.

Surgery can be demanding and requires commitment, resilience, teamwork, communication and good decision-making. It can also be an extremely rewarding career, providing opportunities to make a difference to patients and develop specialist clinical and practical skills.

You don't need to choose a surgical specialty while you're at medical school. Use your time at university to explore your options and find the area of medicine that interests you most.

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.