Strategies with the Highest ROI in Medical School: Networking, Publishing, Self-Development, and Personal Branding

so this is my list of the highest ROI
so return on investment activities I did during medical school
and by highest ROI I mean activities that were worth the effort I put into them
and actually move the needle for me as a medical student and now a doctor
so things that help me get my top job in London
in the specialised foundation programme
which used to be called the Academic Foundation Programme
things that opened up further opportunities for me
kinda snowboard that effect for me
um and I’ll list some of them here and why
so the first thing would be networking
um going to network events and actually building a presence on social media
specifically LinkedIn um
helps me massively in medical school
because it just broadened my horizons as to what was out there
and actually
I think one of the best things you can do during med school is to stay curious
go online have a look what other people are doing
ask them questions about it
ask them if you can get involved
um and that actually changed the game for me
because it’s how I found out that people wanted to relocate
and came out with relocating ebooks
and thought about doing the USMLE and did experiences in Brazil
and it might got my elective
so I definitely think networking is up there
second thing is publishing
I know in medical school and a lot of academic science degrees
it’s published or Parish
that’s like the slogan
because everybody’s fighting for publication because it does hold weight
and the reality is not only is it gonna hold weight for your CV
and help you get better job opportunities
I mean they literally count how many publications you have
for something like the Specialised Foundation program
but the process of publishing is such a good learning experience
like it’s completely changed how I see research
it’s made me better at reading and interpreting research um
and it’s made me want to do more and figure out what niche I really enjoy
the third thing I would say is looking out for self development opportunities
beyond the scope of clinical practice or medicine
I did two leadership courses
one that was run by my university and like advertised in a random email
and the other one was the Alito Leadership Program
and again that help me network with really great people during those as well
I also think doing internships and things that are not typically medical
so for example leadership
tech finance um
and getting a committee position as well
cause I always think it’s good to have on your CV
and also experience what it’s like to manage a group of people
and the final thing would be sharing my story online
and now being able to monetize it
I think this has been a game changer for me
it gives me something you need to talk about
and interviews on my personal statement
I’ve actually now created a business off the back of sharing my journey
and also I feel like people
like involved in my journey and keeping up with me
told me accountable so it’s changed the way that I approach my career
and it’s made me actually stay committed to some of the things I said I would do