Center for Career Development
Doctor of Medicine students
The Center for Career Development (CCD) supports the Division of Student Affairs’ mission by fostering your academic, professional, and personal growth. The Center for Career Development provides support and resources through the Career Pathways Program, individualized career coaching, physician specialty mentoring and advising, and residency planning to promote your career and professional goals.
Upon completion of our program, students will be able to:
- Engage in continual self-reflection to identify skills, abilities, and interests in the selection of a medical specialty
- Create a self-directed career and resource identification plan
- Develop a competitive curriculum vitae and personal statement and enhance interpersonal skills through participation in mock interviews
- Navigate resources to develop a strategic residency application plan that aligns with your interests and career goals
The Career Pathways Program
This four-year program is part of the promotion process each year and is a graduation requirement. It relies on current career development theories and uses the Careers in Medicine (CiM) model to support all phases of your career decision-making process.
Contact us
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and MD Career Advising
Associate Professor of Medicine
cmspatz@geisinger.edu
Linda Learn, MSW, MBA
Student Affairs Manager for Clinical Activities
lalearn1@geisinger.edu
Carolyn Corcoran, MS
Manager, Center for Career Development
cycorcoran1@geisinger.edu
Career coaching
The Center for Career Development is here to provide the knowledge, support, and resources you need to make professional and career decisions using a career coaching model. Our career coaches can assist you in professional and career self-reflection, and goal setting as related to your interests within medicine.
Physician specialty mentoring and advising
Given the impact mentoring can have on your success, the Center for Career Development is committed to providing physician mentors for students. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine has created a customized mentoring platform called Geisinger Connect that lets you freely search for faculty and resident mentors, as well as alumni who can assist throughout the career planning stages. Physician specialty mentors help you clarify personal and professional goals related to your desired specialty. As you transition to Phase 3, you will also work with physician specialty advisors who have experience using MATCH trends and data to plan with you.
Residency planning support
The Center for Career Development’s residency planning team provides comprehensive residency planning support for all students. The residency planning team meets regularly to review all students and ensure application timelines are completed. You will be risk stratified based on the likelihood of a successful match, and the team collaborates with specialty advisors to strategically plan for those at risk. Interviews are tracked throughout the season, and select students may be prepared for the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP), if needed.