OSA STEPS to Sucess
S. Self-ASsessment
T. Target Specialty
E. Expereince
P. Preparation & Planning
S. Strategy Execution
Our comprehensive STEPS career advising program supports students from early exploration through residency match. We help you better understand your strengths, interests, and values; explore specialty options; navigate uncertainty or indecision; and build a thoughtful, competitive residency application plan. Through individualized advising, structured programming, and milestone-based guidance, we partner with you at every stage to ensure your career path reflects both your professional goals and your personal priorities.
- Medical school, sometimes referred to as Undergraduate Medical Education (UME), prepares you through coursework and clinical experiences to become a physician.
- During medical school, you will explore future career and specialty options and by the end of the Clerkship phase, most students have chosen a specialty area and will begin applying for residency training.
- Applicants are “matched” to residency programs, though the Match process. Residency training, or Graduate Medical Education, begins after medical school and is where resident physicians receive supervised, hands-on training. Residency training prepares you for board-eligibility in a specific specialty.
Contact Us: Need personalized guidance? Schedule a 1:1 advising session with our dedicated career advisors.
Our advising model is closely aligned with the AAMC’s Career in Medicine 4 phase -framework, providing structured guidance on self-assessment, specialty exploration, decision-making, and residency planning. This ensures students receive evidence-based, milestone-driven support as they navigate each stage of their medical career journey.
Year 1: Understanding Yourself 🌱
Year 2: Explore Options 🔬
Year 3: Choose Your Specialty 🏥
Year 4: Transition to Residency 🩺
Many students transition between phases as their experiences, goals, and interests evolve throughout medical school—this flexibility is normal and expected.