Noon Seminars: The internal medicine interest group sponsors lunchtime seminars for both the first and second year medical students, regardless of their expected area of interest. The meetings offer a speaker and a free lunch and are very casual. The speakers provide career information as well as topics of interest in internal medicine (i.e., international health, health policy, etc.) The sessions encourage learning, questions, and student/doctor interactions in a fun atmosphere. This is a good “career planning” club no matter what area of medicine interests you. A committee of first and second year medical students plan these activities.
Career Fair:
The first internal medicine career fair was held in April 2004 and has since been held annually. It provides an opportunity for students at all stages of their medical school experience to network with faculty within internal medicine and its various subspecialties. Faculty in each division are available to meet with students informally to talk about their fields, career opportunities, fellowships and elective courses. In addition, ACP and other internal medicine career information is available.
Shadowing:
Students are matched with both faculty and private physicians to shadow primary care, specialist, and hospitalist physicians. Students also have the option to shadow internal medicine residents.
American College of Physicians (ACP) student membership:
ACP provides great information about careers in internal medicine and has online and print resources for students and residents training in Internal Medicine. This organization also sponsors or co-sponsors local activities including noon seminars, student awards, a national student abstract competition, and attendance at local and national meetings. Membership for students is free of charge. Join online at www.acponline.org.