Swimming With The Sharks: Thriving in the Neurosurgery Match and Residency

Nobody wants to swim with sharks, but sometimes you have to. This transformative 8-hour course is designed to build resilience and provide strategic guidance for navigating the challenging waters of neurosurgery training and residency match preparation.

Distinguished faculty and speakers from the “Swimming with Sharks” course include department chairpersons, program directors, coordinators, and recent graduates who will share their insights on thriving in neurosurgery training and residency match preparation.

Course Information

• Directors: Nitin Agarwal, M.D. (Course Director) and David Kojo Hamilton, M.D. (Course Director)
• Chief Guest: Joseph Maroon, M.D.
• Course Coordinator: Ayesha Akbar Waheed, M.B.B.S.
• Duration: 8 Hours
• Date: Sunday, October 12
• Time: 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM

Course Description

As Voltaire’s Candide wisely notes, some ships go down gracefully, some find their sea legs. This course highlights lessons learned through the experience of faculty and residents who have weathered the storms of neurosurgery training.

The primary goal is to help build resiliency by learning from those who have walked the same path before. This course is intended for residents, medical students, and foreign medical graduates seeking guidance on identifying early pitfalls and optimizing their career trajectory. Our distinguished faculty include chairpersons, program directors, program coordinators, and recent graduates.

What Makes This Course Unique

This course differs from traditional interview and academic sessions through a small group discussion format. Small group sessions will enable two breakout sessions whereby medical students can prepare for interviews and residents can prepare for job search with cover letter and CV proposal review.

Sessions feature dedicated time with thought leaders in the field, providing intimate access to experienced neurosurgeons who have successfully navigated these challenging waters.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify strategies to mitigate common pitfalls during training
• Advise medical students on strategies to stand out as a residency applicant
• Work in small group sessions to improve odds for a residency match or ideal job
• Recognize methods to build resilience in the face of obstacles

Interactive Learning Format

Small Group Sessions: Faculty giving great presentations or debates are requested, but not required, to stay for the small group sessions at the end of the day. Additional faculty have been invited to lead the small group sessions in a panel Q&A format.

Breakout Sessions: The course features two specialized breakout sessions:

• Medical Student Focus: Interview preparation, application strategy, and competitive positioning
• Resident Focus: Job search preparation, CV optimization, and cover letter review

Why Resilience Matters in Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is one of the most demanding medical specialties, requiring not only exceptional technical skills but also remarkable mental resilience. The metaphor of swimming with sharks aptly describes the challenging environment that neurosurgeons and trainees must navigate.

This course recognizes that building resilience is not just about surviving challenges, but about thriving despite them. By learning from those who have successfully navigated these waters, participants can develop the tools and mindset necessary for long-term success in neurosurgery.

Faculty and Leadership

Our distinguished faculty represents a diverse range of experiences and perspectives within neurosurgery:

• Department Chairpersons: Offer leadership perspectives on career development and strategic planning
• Program Directors: Provide insights into residency training and what makes successful residents
• Program Coordinators: Share practical guidance on navigating administrative aspects of training
• Recent Graduates: Bring fresh perspectives on current challenges and recent experiences

Target Audience

This course is specifically designed for:

• Medical students considering neurosurgery or actively applying for residency positions
• Current residents seeking guidance on career development and job market preparation
• Foreign medical graduates navigating the unique challenges of entering neurosurgery training in a new country
• Early-career neurosurgeons looking to optimize their career trajectory and build resilience

Building Your Professional Network

Beyond the formal curriculum, this course provides an invaluable opportunity to connect with leaders in neurosurgery. The intimate small group format facilitates meaningful conversations and relationship-building that can impact your career long after the course concludes.

Conclusion

In the challenging waters of neurosurgery training and career development, having experienced guides can make the difference between merely surviving and truly thriving. Swimming with Sharks offers a unique opportunity to learn from those who have successfully navigated these challenges and emerged stronger.

Whether you’re just beginning to consider neurosurgery as a career path or you’re already deep in training, this course provides the tools, insights, and connections necessary to build resilience and achieve success in one of medicine’s most demanding fields.

Remember: in the ocean of neurosurgery, it’s not about avoiding the sharks entirely—it’s about learning how to swim confidently alongside them.