breakaway

In the competitive field of medicine, little to no training or support is provided on skills such as interviewing, networking, negotiation and job acquisition. Women are at a particular disadvantage and must overcome additional barriers such as stereotypes, social expectations, outdated benefits, and lower pay. Learning this skillset can help set you apart from the pack and ensure that you match at competitive programs and ultimately, jobs.

THE STORY BEHIND THE WORKSHOP

I married my husband when he was in the middle of his general surgery residency. When it came time for him to apply for fellowships, I knew we had to get our top choice. Yet despite having an excellent CV and academic pedigree, I was surprised by his lack of preparation, skills, and confidence during the interview and ranking process.

As a former lawyer and executive, I come from a world where interviewing and networking skills are absolutely essential and formal training and funding is customarily provided by both schools and employers. In fact, in the 10+ years that I worked prior to starting my own coaching business, I never got a job from simply sending my resume into the ether. It has always been based on my network and relationships, my ability to set myself apart from the pack and demonstrate my unique value, and presenting myself in a way that made me a highly desirable candidate.

So I sat down with my husband and worked with him on his interviewing skills. He did so well in his interviews that we ended up with multiple options, including our top choice where he now practices.

Now, as a women’s executive coach, I work with clients (including physicians) who struggle with networking, relationship building, confidence and self-esteem. Even those with access to training and funding are often still bound by outdated stereotypes and scripts of how women in the workplace must act as they compete to rise in the ranks of a patriarchal system that is stacked against them. Tooting one’s own horn is hard enough for the average person, but women must also walk the tightrope between overly aggressive b*tch and demure pushover. As a result, women end up not getting their first picks, being passed over for promotions, getting lower salaries, and settling for antiquated benefits that will eventually cause them to self-select out of their professions in order to become mothers.

Not anymore. I designed Breakaway in order to help women physicians and medical students break through these barriers and elevate their careers by presenting themselves with confidence, pride and authenticity.