Beyond GRADES: Building a career roadmap in Medicine and Healthcare

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In the world of Medicine and Healthcare education, we are trained to aim for high scores, clear exams, and chase competitive ranks. But once the results are in, a far bigger question emerges and that is - What next?

For students pursuing MBBS, BDS, BPT, Nursing, B Pharm, or Allied Health Sciences, the path ahead is not always straightforward. After graduation, many find themselves standing at crossroads like do I choose clinical practice, dive into research, explore public health, pursue academia, or shift gears entirely into the fields like healthcare management, policy, or medical technology?

Despite spending years in structured education, most students receive very little exposure to the real-world landscape of careers in healthcare and the result is uncertainty, anxiety, and unnecessary stress. At the end, what happens is most significant career decisions are made quickly rather than getting designed.

Let’s start a conversation to help each other out.

– What helped or helping you understand what you really want to do?

– Did you come across any helpful people, books, or any other resources that could give you some direction?

– If you are still figuring things out, what kind of support are you looking for?

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For me, it’s been a mix of self-reflection and trial-and-error. I’ve learned the most by actually doing things,trying roles, projects, and skills, and then noticing what energizes me vs. what drains me. Journaling and talking things out with people I trust has also been surprisingly useful.

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Honestly, I relate to this so much. After completing pharmacy, I realised that clearing exams is just one part the real confusion starts after the results. There are so many paths, but very little guidance.Sometimes, even if we know what we want like clinical research, PV, or medical writing the lack of openings or opportunities forces many of us to enter different fields just to survive. It’s not always about interest, but about availability. For me, talking to people already working in those areas gave some clarity. It helps to know what’s out there, and how to prepare in advance.

Still figuring things out, but one thing I’ve learned right guidance at the right time can make a huge difference. More conversations like this are truly needed.

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The system may not teach us how to navigate life after degrees, but together, we can fill that gap. One story, one suggestion, or even one honest confession can help someone see their own path more clearly.

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One thing I knew for sure was I wanted to be a Cardiac Surgeon
But the day I realised I won’t be able to get in a govt hospital for MBBS , my dreams came crushing down.

Then I chose BAMS, a degree that’s closely related to MBBS and I’m still figuring out a way to be closer to the field I originally wanted to pursue .

I met many people along the way who guided me from making the career change to choosing beyond it and I’m thankful to all of them
I didn’t really knew what I would do but it all depends on the perspective you look at!

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Even after all the hard work and exams, the “what next?” question feels overwhelming. For me, talking to seniors, mentors, and exploring outside the textbook world helped me slowly find direction. I wish career planning was part of our curriculum and not something we’re left to figure out alone.

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After completing a graduate it is a challenge to choose what next its a very confusing situation for all the graduates either want to continue post graduation or need to do the job if the job means academics , clinical trials pv or medical writing after all the confusion finally decided to become a hospital pharmacist where i can serve to the society and learn new thing

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This is such an important conversation. As a biotech student, I’ve often felt the pressure to “figure it all out” quickly. What’s helped me is speaking to professionals in different roles some in research, others in industry, and even those working in science communication or regulatory affairs. It opened my eyes to options I didn’t even know existed. I think we need more platforms like this that guide students in exploring how they want to contribute to healthcare not just what degree they have. Still figuring things out, but grateful for spaces like MedBound where we can learn from each other.

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Honestly, I’ve also felt this confusion many times. We study so hard, but when it’s time to choose a career, it gets tricky and stressful. Talking to seniors, attending webinars, and reading about different roles helped me a bit. I’m still figuring it out, but I wish we had more career guidance during college.

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@Neha87 yes, journaling definitely helps big time.

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@Yash1612 True. The story sharing will be extremely beneficial, as that can become a guiding light for someone in need.

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@harshitha_m totally agreed with the last line. Extremely valid point.

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@Heenakoushar the objective of serving the society is beautiful.

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@Rachana absolutely, learning platforms and discussion forums like this play a very significant role.

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@prasanthkumar yes, it should be there in the college as a part of the degree curriculum. But I guess, figuring out on your own has its own significance as well, as that allows the exploration in a wider way and one can modulate it as per the self-interest without getting defined by what’s set. This journey itself becomes a form of learning and networking.

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I think I figured out what I wanted to do by understanding what I definitely disliked and couldn’t see myself doing first. And for experiences and mistakes that one can’t afford to make, talking to supportive seniors and professors has always been a great help.

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@caryn very rightly put. Figuring out what we do not want to do can be a significant step towards knowing what exactly we want to do.

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Grades matter, but they’re just the start. In medicine and healthcare, a career roadmap should include:

  • Gaining practical exposure through internships, hospital postings, or projects.
  • Learning soft skills like communication and empathy for better patient care.
  • Exploring diverse fields research, pharma, public health, clinical practice to find your path.

It’s about aligning passion with skills, not just chasing marks.