Using Clinical Rotations as an Opportunity to Network
Finishing PA school can be a mix of emotions. You’re finally finishing school, but now you need to find a job and start paying your school loans. The best time to start looking for a job is as soon as you start clinical rotations.
Clinical Rotations as a Possible Job
Every clinical rotation is a potential job. You should treat each rotation as a job interview. Even if there is not an open position, it is your opportunity to network.
If you make a great impression and people are impressed by your work ethic it is possible that they could create a position for you. I know many people who received job offers at places they did a rotation during PA school.
One friend was doing their rotation at a site that did not have a PA, but the physician had been thinking about hiring a PA. There was never an official job posting, but after they graduated they were offered a job at that clinic.
Learn About Employers through Clinical Rotations
Clinical rotations can definitely be an opportunity for a job offer, but more importantly it is a time for you to “interview” potential employers. As you go through different rotations take a look and see if it is somewhere you would like to work. How does everyone get along? How do they treat their employees? What’s the culture of the organization?
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You can also learn a lot by talking to other PAs that work at that site. What do they like about working there? What do they not like about working there? Where else have they worked?
Always remember for every interview, you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. This does not necessarily mean that every clinical site you go to is somewhere you want to work, but it does mean that you should take the opportunity to learn what is important to you.
Yes, salary is important; but it does not need to be the most important thing. Enjoying who you’re working with and who you’re working for can go a long ways in job satisfaction, which your salary can’t provide.
Even though clinical rotations are an opportunity to network and could eventually lead to a job offer; ultimately you’re there to learn, so that should always come first. It’s your chance to make mistakes. As much as you might not like it when you’re getting questioned by an attending, know that no one expects you to get every answer correct. They know you’re a student. Once you’re practicing on your own, mistakes mean you’re affecting someone’s health. If you make a mistake as a student it’s a learning opportunity.
Go into each of your clinical rotations with the mindset that it could end with a job offer. Don’t worry about knowing all the answers. Instead, show your work ethic and willingness to learn, and good things will come. Remember, you’re a student and others aren’t expecting you to know it all; and start your job search now while you’re able to have a month (or longer) interview with each employer.
Did you get a job offer from a clinical rotation? Any other advice for PA students on the job search? Please comment below the original post, sign up to receive future posts by email and share with your friends!
