Rough Timeline

• First half of PGY-5: Determine whether or not you will pursue a fellowship.
• Second half of PGY-5: Start a self-reflection process for job preferences. Start networking.
• End of PGY-5: Begin gathering information about job postings and availabilities. Continue networking.
• Fall PGY-6: Most academic programs use the CNS Annual Meeting as the beginning of “recruitment season,” thus interviews are often scheduled during the fall/winter of 6th year.
• Spring PGY-6: Job offers and negotiations, signing contracts.

Job Preferences

• Academic: Research requirements and/or teaching responsibilities, working with medical students/residents, patient population (often referral centers/specialty care)
• Private: Group vs. individual practice, association with other departments (i.e., orthopedics, neurology, neurosurgery, etc.)
• Government hospital setting: Veteran population, access to resources not always available to civilian population
• Small vs. large practice

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