Future Career Choices Research Articles

Over Worked and Under Paid: How Resident Finances Impact Perceived Stress, Career Choices, and Family Life

BackgroundThe magnitude of student debt plaguing our nation is a major topic in political and academic spheres with median medical student debt of $200,000. This is compounded by poor financial health during training. This study evaluates how debt and financial wellness influence resident perceived stress, mental health, career plans, and relationships. MethodsGeneral surgery trainees at an academic institution were surveyed regarding financial parameters, perceived stress, and the impact of finances on their career and family life. A validated stress assessment instrument, the Perceived Stress Scale, was used to evaluate trainee stress. The median perceived stress score was compared for groups using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. ResultsFifty-eight (61% response rate) residents responded to the survey. The median (range) student loan debt was $200,000-500,000 ($0-750,000) and savings was $5000-10,000 ($0-20,000+). 18 (31%) trainees had monthly credit card debt. Half of the respondents did not have enough liquid assets for an emergency fund, defined as 3 mo of living expenses. The median perceived stress score was 16 (1-30) or moderate stress. Perceived stress score was significantly associated with the trainee’s response to how finances impacted their future career choice, practice style, and relationships (P < 0.005 for all). However, the perceived stress score was not associated with objective measures of financial wellness, such as the overall level of medical school debt, savings, or having an emergency fund. DiscussionThe trainee’s subjective perception of financial wellness, rather than objective financial parameters was associated with higher levels of perceived stress, the strain on relationships, and a greater impact on future practice styles. The majority of surgery residents did not have enough liquid assets for an emergency fund, independent of the level of debt, which emphasizes how financially leveraged residents are during training. Although burnout during surgical training is multifactorial, formal financial education incorporated into graduate medical education programs could increase financial literacy, help to mitigate financial risk, and ultimately decrease some of the perceived stress residents possess.

A mandatory Emergency Medicine clerkship influences students' career choices in a developing system.

BackgroundAttracting medical students for a front-line specialty, Emergency Medicine, is challenging in many countries. The available literature is scarce and bounded to the mature emergency care and education systems. In the countries where emergency medicine is a new specialty and has different contextual needs, the perception of the students and their career interest in emergency medicine specialty is an unanswered question.ObjectiveWe aimed to study the effects of a mandatory Emergency Medicine (EM) clerkship on students' perceptions and their future career choice to be emergency physicians.MethodsA voluntary de-identified survey was prospectively collected before and after the EM clerkship to capture students' perceptions in four domains (EM clerkship, EM physicians, EM patients, and EM specialty as a career choice). The survey included 24 statements having five-point Likert scale for each statement. Non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical analysis.ResultsSixty-seven students responded to both surveys (response rate of 85%). Students' perceptions have significantly improved on the EM physicians, and their job after attending the clerkship (p < 0.001). They found EM a respected (p = 0.038), flexible (p < 0.001), secure (p < 0.001), satisfying, and prestigious (p = 0.006) job. They found EM physicians compassionate (p < 0.011), have adequate patient contact (p < 0.045) and control on their time (0.004). Choosing EM as a future career has significantly increased after clerkship (p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur mandatory EM clerkship significantly improved students' perceptions on EM specialty as a future career choice. A well-structured and mandatory EM clerkship can attract more students to be trained in the EM.

Service Learning in a Malaysian Undergraduate Tax Class

Accounting programmes in Malaysian public universities have long been encouraged to utilise service-based learning as an educational tool to translate theory learnt in the classroom to practical application into a real-life scenario. This paper describesa service learning project that was adopted in a Malaysian undergraduate tax class, which involved the preparation of tax computation and the giving of tax advice to the clients derived from the local community. Students would document the details of theprocess in a report, and submit reflection journals on their experience. Student evaluation of this project is obtained via a survey; qualitative evaluation is obtained via reflection journals. Student perceptions of this project were largely positive, and the project was seen to contribute towards the course learning outcomes. Students also cited the following as outcomes experienced after the project: better appreciation of the real-world business setting, attainment of better communication, knowledge management and time management skills, better understanding of course content, increased confidence level, experience of a sense of responsibility to the community and the possibility of adopting the tax field as a future career choice.

Evaluating the Impact of Medical Student Inclusion Into Hands-On Surgical Simulation in Congenital Heart Surgery

Over the last decade medical students' interest in pursuing surgery as a career has declined. This is more apparent in high-specialized specialities such as congenital heart surgery (CHS). Early hands-on simulation has shown to have a positive impact on medical students' interest in pursuing surgery, however, its incorporation into medical school curricula is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of incorporating medical students as surgical assistants during the Hands On Surgical Training course in CHS. Local preclinical medical students were invited to participate as surgical assistants during the 5th annual Hands On Surgical Training course in CHS. Among those who responded to the invitation, students were randomly selected and allocated to assist a congenital heart surgeon. All selected students attended an assistants' session prior to the course to familiarize themselves with assisting and to practice basic surgical skills. At the end of both courses students completed a questionnaire based on Likert 5-point scale to evaluate the courses' usefulness. Fifteen medical students completed the questionnaires. All reported a beginner level of understanding of congenital heart disease. All students were highly satisfied with using 3D-printed models to help their understanding of congenital heart disease (4.80 ± 0.41) and agreed that the sessions improved their assisting skills (4.93 ± 0.26). All expressed a desire to attend similar sessions in the future and agreed that surgical simulation inclusion into medical school curricula would enhance learning (5.00 ± 0.00). Interest in pursuing a career in CHS increased from 33% (5) to 87% (13) by the end of the course. Integration of preclinical medical students into surgical simulation increases interest in pursuing highly specialised surgical specialities such as CHS. Early exposure and the incorporation of such simulation programs into medical school curricula will likely improve surgical skill acquisition and may enable students to be better informed when selecting future career choices.

Gender differences in the factors influencing the choice of future career among the final stage Turkish medical students

Background: Turkey has a marked increase in the proportion of female medical students and graduates doctors compared to males. However, females are still underrepresented in some disciplines and grouped in other branches of medicine. It is essential to regularly assess the medical students' trends toward the specialty and avoid the shortage and maldistribution in some critical specialties. This study aims to investigate the gender differences in Turkish medical students’ specialty preferences and influencing factors.&#x0D; Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among final year students at the Bezmialem Vakif University (BVU), Faculty of Medicine in Istanbul, Turkey. Data collected from March to April 2018 using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics of the population, first choices for specialization, and the factors influencing those choices. An independent sample t-test performed to test the gender differences in different influencing factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.&#x0D; Results: A total of seventy (70) students (response rate of 69.5 %) included in the data analysis. The mean age of total respondents was 24.9 ± 0.96 (ranged 23-27), and the male to female ratio of students was approximately 1:1.4. Out of nineteen (19) factors, statistically significant gender differences noted in the mean scores of six factors. Male students were more influenced by family expectations (2.76 ± 0.87, p=0.008), geographical consideration (2.97 ± 0.91, p=0.053), and high income expectations (2.90 ± 0.90, p=0.024) compared to female students. However, female students were more influenced by personal interests (3.61 ± 0.49, p=0.041), personality characteristics (3.59 ± 0.55, p=0.010) and malpractice (2.73 ± 1.03, p=0.015) compared to male students.&#x0D; Conclusion: There is a significant difference between the sexes in terms of priorities; family, income, and geographical distribution significantly impacted on men, while women were more concerned with lifestyle, well-being and avoiding responsibility.

Supplementary Regional Anatomy Teaching by Surgeons Enhances Medical Students Mastery of Anatomical Knowledge and Positively Impacts Their Choice of Future Career

Anatomy is fundamental to the practice of medicine and surgery. Anatomy is also increasingly being taught by basic medical scientists or postclinical practice surgeons, thereby potentially detaching it from ongoing clinical realities. To evaluate whether supplementing regional anatomy teaching using surgeons enhances medical students' mastery of anatomical knowledge and how it impacts their choice of a future career. This was a descriptive study. An integrated tuition model in which basic regional anatomy was supplemented with clinical correlates taught by surgeons was devised and implemented at Jinan University Medical School. Soon after the third-year medical students finished dissecting each region (e.g., head and neck, limbs, etc.) of the human body, the surgeons from relevant specialties and sub-specialties were invited to give clinical application lectures. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate all the students' perceptions of the integrated teaching model, perceived mastery of anatomical knowledge and determinants of future career choice. More than half of the students believe that regional anatomy is more closely related to surgery than systemic anatomy. Over 70% of the students have a positive attitude towards this teaching model where surgeons supplement regional anatomy with clinical correlates, and 98% of the students are in favor of integrating human body structural knowledge into clinical problems to learn anatomy. In addition, 78% of the students believe that the surgeons' participation in the teaching of regional anatomy helps them better understand human body structures and their clinical significance. However, some of their responses point towards the clinical correlate disconnection from the basic anatomy content. Furthermore, the majority of the students plan to become clinical doctors. After studying regional anatomy, the proportion of students who elected to be surgeons decreased slightly. However, the number of students who affirmatively planned to become surgeons in the future increased slightly, and 90% of these students were able to specify a chosen and preferred subspecialty of surgery. Surgeons' involvement in regional anatomy is of major benefit to students in understanding the human anatomy and its clinical significance, as well as positively impact on the decision to pursue a career in surgery.

Perceptions of Medical Students Regarding Career Counseling in Korea: A Qualitative Study.

Current medical school education focuses on acquiring appropriate knowledge with relatively little interest in developing the career selection skills of medical students. We investigated medical students’ perceptions of career problems and the required types of career counseling programs. Five focus group discussions were held with 23 medical students. The consensual qualitative study method was used to analyze the recorded discussion process. The medical students were more influenced by parents and grades than by subjective choices when deciding on admission to medical school. In future career choices, medical students considered the stability and feasibility of the career and expected quality of life. However, there were several opinions that it is essential to understand oneself. Objective and specific career information was lacking, and meeting with the professor was not very helpful for career counseling. Most medical students expected the effectiveness of the career counseling program but hoped the program would proceed with voluntary participation. Medical students wanted a variety of concrete and objective information, such as specialty information for choosing residency training, trainee hospital information, and post-residency training information in the career counseling program. Most medical students are not ready for career-related problems, therefore making it necessary to develop a career counseling program suitable for them.

Characteristics and opinions of MD-PhD students and graduates from different European countries: a study from the European MD-PhD Association.

MD-PhD programmes throughout the world provide a platform for medical trainees to commit to a physician-scientist career, qualifying with both a medical degree (MD or equivalent) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). However, there are limited studies assessing the characteristics of MD-PhD programmes in Europe and the outcomes of MD-PhD students and graduates. This study aims at a first country-wise exploration of characteristics, opinions, and academic outcomes of MD-PhD students and graduates in Europe. Two questionnaires were developed to assess the demographics, MD-PhD programme characteristics, opinions, future career paths and academic outcomes of European MD-PhD students and graduates. An online survey of 278 MD-PhD students and 121 MD-PhD graduates from nine and six European countries, respectively, was completed between April 2016 and December 2017. The country-wise categorical responses were then compared through chi-square analysis followed by multiple logistic regression. Responses from 266 MD-PhD students and 117 MD-PhD graduates were considered valid. Significant country-wise differences (p &lt;0.05) were observed for age group, resident status, clinical time allocation, duration of studies, sources of funding, publications, average impact factor of the journals in which the research was published, satisfaction with the duration of MD-PhD studies and future career choices of MD-PhD students. Responses related to self-perception about clinical and research competence and challenges faced during MD-PhD training did not show a significant country-wise difference. The MD-PhD workforce in Europe is highly diverse in their demographics, programme characteristics and career paths but does not differ in opinions related to the challenges faced. The results of this study may be helpful for implementation and improvement of MD-PhD programmes.

Analysis of entrepreneurial interest in Dumai Agricultural Vocational students

Vocational education should be projected to support student’s skill that can be impact to the student’s readiness to work. As well the vocational education prepares student to be a professional worker, it also should be able to prepare graduates become entrepreneur. The students’ interest in entrepreneurship can be in the form of interests, desires, pleasures, willingness to do entrepreneurship to achieve prosperity as they wish. The graduates of Vocational High School can consider to develop entrepreneurship as their choice of future career. The purpose of this research is to observe the entrepreneurship interest of Agricultural Vocational High School Student. In accordance with the research purpose, so the researcher uses qualitative research through descriptive method. The source data used are informants through interview as technical of colleting the data. The results showed that most of the students of Agricultural Vocational High School have interest and strong foundation to developed entrepreneurship. The conclusions resulting from this research is almost all the student at the grade XII majoring Agro Industry have interest to be an entrepreneur.

"Profiles of motivational beliefs in math: Exploring their development, relations to student-perceived classroom characteristics, and impact on future career aspirations and choices": Correction.

"Profiles of motivational beliefs in math: Exploring their development, relations to student-perceived classroom characteristics, and impact on future career aspirations and choices": Correction.

Vocational Development Initiatives for Youth Empowerment: Case of the Nigeria Secondary Schools’ Curriculum

The study was carried out to evaluate the Vocational Development initiatives of the Nigerian secondary education curricula introduced by the National Education Research and Development Council (NERDC). Five research questions were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted. The study was carried out in Kogi State. Sample for the study was 220 respondents made up of 102 male and 118 female senior secondary school students offering trade subjects. A structured questionnaire titled Vocational Development Initiatives for Youth Empowerment (VDIYE) questionnaire was developed for data collection. The questionnaire was face and content validated by three vocational education experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined using the test re-test reliability method which yielded a co-efficient of 0.72. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Based on the data collected and analyzed, it was observed that majority of respondents view trade subjects as desirable and that it prepares them adequately for future vocational career choice among other findings. Recommendations were thereafter made on ways to improve on trade subjects. This is in order to achieve the desired objectives of making secondary school graduates to be job creators and also reduce unemployment.

Mind the gap: The role of gender in entrepreneurial career choice and social influence by founders

AbstractResearch summaryWomen continue to be disproportionately underrepresented in new venture creation. We investigate whether and how founders can differently influence future entrepreneurial career choices of their male and female joiners. Using a large sample of startup firms with personnel where founders interact closely with joiners, we demonstrate that founders have a strong influence on a joiner's entrepreneurial career choice if both are female. We find empirical support for role modeling as a key underlying mechanism, accounting for alternative explanations such as selective matching based on gender and push‐driven factors. These findings increase our understanding of the roles of socialization and organizational context in shaping the career outcomes of employees, and provide evidence of a multiplier effect of female entrepreneurs.Managerial summaryWomen are less likely to be entrepreneurs than men. We investigate whether working in a startup founded by a woman instead of a man influences individuals' decision to become an entrepreneur later. We find this to be the case for women. This result is best explained by female founders acting as role models for their female employees in male‐dominated domains. Female founders able to break gender stereotypes seem to have an influence on the career choices of their female employees, especially among those who have lacked contact with entrepreneurs. Moreover, this influence is stronger if the female founder and employee have similar backgrounds. These findings confirm the importance of social interactions at work and suggest new ways to inspire more women to launch startups.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Minat Mahasiswa Akuntansi Di Surabaya Untuk Memilih Karir Menjadi Akuntan Publik

This research would like to examine the factors that can influence the selection of careers in the future of accounting students, especially to choose the profession as a public accountant. This research uses a quantitative approach with a questionnaire method and the number of samples used are 200 respondents. The test equipment uses multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS version 21. Partial results indicate that financial rewards, labor market considerations, professional training, professional recognition, social values, and work environments influence the interest of students in their future career choices, while professional risk is not proven to partially affect the interest of accounting students in choosing career. The results of the study simultaneously show that financial rewards, labor market considerations, professional training, professional recognition, social values, work environments, and professional risk jointly affect student interest in selecting careers in the future.

Informal Learning Environments and Impact on Interest in STEM Careers

Little research has been done to examine the impact of informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning on middle school students’ career aspirations. Participants included 507 incoming fifth through eighth graders from underrepresented populations in STEM fields, which were recruited at three sites. Data collected included semi-structured interviews, session reflection forms, and surveys administered before and at the end of the STEM summer learning experience. Social Cognitive Career Theory was used to examine the extent middle school students’ experiences at a STEM summer learning experience influenced their interest in STEM careers. Quantitative data were examined related to self-efficacy. Self-efficacy scores after the STEM learning experience were significantly higher than initial self-efficacy scores and justified further qualitative analyses. A deductive approach was used to analyze the qualitative data. The themes of role models, influence of the STEM summer learning experience, applicability of STEM, and empathy were revealed. Many students reported they were drawn to a specific STEM career because they wanted to help a person for whom they care about, such as a sibling with an illness or a family member battling cancer. This study demonstrates the need to provide all students the access and opportunity to engage in authentic, hands-on learning experiences that connect STEM to their daily lives, increase their interest in STEM, and introduce them to different STEM careers so they make more informed decisions about future STEM career choices and suggests that the role empathy plays in fostering students’ interest in STEM be further examined.

Profiles of motivational beliefs in math: Exploring their development, relations to student-perceived classroom characteristics, and impact on future career aspirations and choices.

Reports an error in Profiles of motivational beliefs in math: Exploring their development, relations to student-perceived classroom characteristics, and impact on future career aspirations and choices by Rebecca Lazarides, Anna-Lena Dicke, Charlott Rubach and Jacquelynne S. Eccles (Journal of Educational Psychology, 2020[Jan], Vol 112[1], 70-92). In the original article, the author note should have included that Jacquelynne S. Eccles is now also at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia. The online version of this article has been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2019-30969-001). Four topics were investigated in this longitudinal person-centered study: (a) profiles of subjective task values and ability self-concepts of adolescents in the domain of mathematics, (b) the stability of and changes to the profiles of motivational beliefs from Grade 7 to 12, (c) the relation of changes to student-perceived classroom characteristics, and (d) the extent to which profile membership in early adolescence predicted mathematics achievement and career plans in late adolescence and the choice of math-related college majors and occupations in adulthood. Data were drawn from the Michigan Study of Adolescent and Adult Life Transitions Study. We focused on students who participated in the following 4 waves of data collection (N = 867): at the beginning of Grade 7 (Wave 3), at the end of Grade 7, in Grade 10 (Wave 5), and in Grade 12 (Wave 6). Four profiles that were stable across Grades 7 to 12 were identified using Latent Profile Analysis. Student-reported fairness and friendliness and competition in class predicted changes in profile membership. Profile membership in Grade 7 predicted math-related career plans in Grade 12. Profile membership in Grade 12 predicted the choice of math-related college major after finishing school and of math-related occupations in adulthood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)

Specialty preferences and factors affecting future career choice among medical graduates in Saudi.

Aims:Our study was conducted to study the future specialty choices and the influencing factors among Saudi medical students.Settings and Design:Convenience study.Methods and Materials:An online questionnaire was sent to medical students during the period from February to April 2019 with the aim of analyzing the most desired specialty, the reasons behind choosing, and the different factors playing a role in choosing those specialties.Statistical Analysis Used:The results were analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 21. Differences in means were analyzed using t-test. The Chi-square test was used to identify significant differences among groups with a significance level set a P ≥ 0.05.Results:A convenience sample of 579 students has completed the survey. Most of the students did not receive any advice for choosing their specialty preferred. The three most desired specialties by both genders (males/females) are surgery, internal medicine, and cardiac surgery, respectively. The data revealed that nearly 42% of students did not receive any advice regarding their preferred career. Interesting cases, challenging, good lifestyle, and impact on patient quality of life were important reasons in selecting all specialties.Conclusion:A variety of factors appear to inspire medical students to choose a future career intention in Saudi Arabia. Some career measures and guidance are needed by university mentors and health policymakers to encourage those specialties that are scarce in Saudi Arabia.

The Educational Value of Patent Application Activities for Middle and High School Students

이 연구는 중·고등학생 시절의 특허출원 교육활동 경험이 특허 역량과 훗날 자신의 진로 선택에 어떠한 영향을 미쳤는지 알아보기 위하여 수행하였다. 이를 위하여 특허청 발명 교육 사업 가운데 중·고등학생을 대상으로 실시하고 있는 YIP(Young Invertor Program) 교육 과정을 분석하고, 2009년부터 2018년 사이에 YIP에 참여했던 학생 698명을 대상으로 설문조사와 인터뷰를 실시하였다. 본 연구를 통해 중·고등학생 시절의 특허출원 경험이 이어지는 상급 학교생활과 미래의 진로 선택, 향후 지속적 발명 활동 계획에 대해 긍정적인 영향을 주고 있음을 알 수 있었다. 이와 같은 연구 결과는 중·고등학생을 대상으로 하는 발명 및 지식재산 교육 정책 수립과 프로그램 개발 시 기초 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.This study was conducted to find out how the experience of patent application education during middle and high school students affected their patent competency and future career choices. To this end, we analyzed the YIP education courses conducted for middle and high school students by the Korea Intellectual Property Offices and conducted questionnaires and interviews with 698 students who participated in the YIP program between 2009 and 2018. Through this study, we can see that the experience of applying for a patent while in middle and high school was effective in increasing has a positive effect on senior school life, future career choices, and plans for continuous invention activities in the future. The results of these studies can be used as basic data for the development of programs and policies for education of intellectual property for middle and high school students.

108 Is there a relationship between future career choices and participation in youth livestock shows?

Abstract Livestock shows allow youth to get firsthand experience in handling and taking care of animals, and other life skills such as responsibility, time management, hard work, and leadership. However, the relationship between participation in livestock shows and future career choices has not been clearly established. A questionnaire survey was developed to gather information from students, agriculturists, and agricultural professionals in an attempt to answer the above question. The questionnaire reached 14 land-grant universities, five animal agriculture-related companies, and over 27,000 people on social media. 516 respondents competed the 19-question survey. Respondents were divided into four regions (Southern 1; Northeast, 2; Mid-west, 3 and West, 4). Data collected on binomial variables were analyzed using Probit analysis to determine regional and gender differences. Chi square tests of independence were used to test the association of selected categorical variables. All analyses were conducted using SAS (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC). Significantly, more females (48.2%) considered community outreach as a benefit out of participating in youth livestock shows compared to males (31.9%). Fewer individuals in the southern region (24.1%) viewed financial management as a strength of participation compared to other regions (≈ 38%). Males were much more frequently members of Future Farmers of America (70.1%) compared to females (53.3%). The regions 2, 3, and 4 showed significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05) higher levels of participation in 4-H (90%) compared to region 1 (69%). The results provided much useful information related to youth livestock shows but did not demonstrate a clear relationship between participation in livestock shows and future career choices.

A Survey of Heads of Surgery and Residents on Accessibility and Employment in Liver Transplant Teams in Spain

IntroductionThe access of surgeons to liver transplant teams in Spain is heterogeneous. This study aims to portray the current human resources of Spanish transplant teams, distribution of transplant duties among team members, how transplant team members acquire their skills, their leaders’ view of their future, as well the motivations of Spanish General Surgery residents to choose transplantation as their future career choice. MethodsTwo different surveys were created, one for head surgeons and one for residents, about the number of team members and their training, recruitment, organization of tasks and motivation to work in transplantation. The questionnaires were e-mailed to both the transplant program directors and the surgical residents. ResultsThere are on average 8 surgeons in each transplant unit. More than four surgeons perform the hepatectomy in 54.2% of the groups, while the graft implantation is performed by more than 4 surgeons at just 25% of the centers. Forty-two percent of the transplant chiefs advocated a fellowship training system, and 87.5% believe that generational turnover is guaranteed.Out of 525 residents, 101 responded. Regarding training, 12.8% had no interest in transplantation. Concerning their work preferences, 37.6% were not interested in transplantation because it is excessively demanding, and 52.5% would not like to be part of a liver transplant team in the future. ConclusionsThe generational turnover seems to be guaranteed according to liver transplant program directors. The new generations of surgeons generally opt for other areas of surgery other than transplantation. Studies with a greater number of responses are necessary to validate these results.

HARNESSING THE POWER OF PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS: IDENTIFYING FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS TO CAREERS IN GEROPSYCHOLOGY

This symposium presents data from a mixed method study designed to explore how to harness the power of professional networks to increase the pipeline of trainees pursuing careers in academic and clinical geropsychology. Participants were recruited through professional websites, listserves, announcements at annual meetings, and emails from directors of clinical training at pre-and post-doctoral training sites. A total of 107 geropsychologists completed the survey, including 28 graduate students/interns and 76 post-doctoral psychologists ranging from early to late career. The mean age of respondents was 39.18 (SD = 12.05). The sample was largely female (71.7%) and Caucasian (88.7%), paralleling previous work. The first paper describes attractive and unattractive aspects of clinical and academic career options, including gender differences in perceptions of the feasibility of changing career foci. The second paper examines perceptions of clinically-focused and academic jobs, and discrepancies between professional psychologists’ actual and ideal job activities. Examining content analysis of 28 qualitative transcripts, the third paper focuses on VA training and the convenience and comfort of transitioning into a VA job after training within this system, identifying benefits and challenges of work in the VA. The fourth explores these 28 transcripts to identify perceptions of mentorship and supervision during training, including time spent in the training sites (graduate school vs internship) and observations of how working environments impact future career choices. Discussion will address the critical shortage of geropsychologists in academic and clinical settings and strategies to improve the professional pipeline to increase the numbers of trainees pursuing these careers.