Abstract
The development of an academic surgical career can be an overwhelming prospect, and
one that is not intuitive. Establishing a structured plan and support structure is
critical to success. Starting a successful academic surgical career begins with defining
one's academic goals within several broad categories: personal goals, academic goals,
research goals, educational goals, and financial goals. Learning the art of self-promotion
is the means by which many of these goals are achieved. It is important to realize
that achieving these goals requires a delicate personal balance between work and home
life, and the key ways in which to achieve success require establishment of well thought-out
goals, a reliable support structure, realistic and clear expectations, and frequent
re-evaluation.
Keywords
academic goals - surgical career - self-promotion - mentors
