Career decision-making is a complex process, but the Office of Student Affairs and Career Counseling (OSACC) provides guidance, mentoring and resources to help you every step of the way. Upon matriculation, each SKMC student is assigned to one of the deans in the Office of Student Affairs & Career Counseling. Your assigned dean will serve as a longitudinal career advisor throughout medical school - from specialty exploration in the early years to the residency application process in the final year.

During Phase 1 of the curriculum (Years 1 and 2), students can participate in a variety of career exploration opportunities, including: 

• Student-run specialty interest groups
• Physician shadowing opportunities
• Panel discussions with attendings, residents, alumni, and upper-year students
• Specialty Career Fair
• Self-exploration through the AAMC Careers in Medicine program
• CV Workshops
• Research
• Community-based volunteer experiences
• Advising meetings with assigned Student Affairs dean

During Phase 2 of the curriculum (Year 3), students begin to narrow down their specialty interests as they progress through the clinical curriculum. Meetings with Student Affairs deans and specialty advisors provide opportunities to discuss evolving interests and plan 4^th year schedules and elective options. The Student Affairs deans also deliver a career planning curriculum during Phase 2 as part of the required Dimensions of Clinical Medicine course.

In Phase 3 of the curriculum (Year 4), OSACC guides students through the residency application process through a series of class meetings and individual advising sessions. The office also oversees the writing process for the Medical Student Performance Evaluation and coordinates the Match Day celebration each March.

Student Affairs works closely with student leaders in the MD Compass Program, a student-driven co-curricular career development program designed to help guide your career exploration throughout all four years of medical school.  With online resources and in-person programming, MD Compass provides invaluable tools for students engaged in the career exploration process. 

Current Students: Access the SKMC Student Affairs Canvas (password protected)