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Career Advising

The Roadmap to Your Future is Our Focus.


At SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, your career journey starts on day one. The Office of Career Advising is here to guide and empower you, every step of the way. From choosing a specialty to applying for residency, our faculty and advisors are committed to helping you shape a meaningful career in medicine.

We offer faculty advisors and a four-year calendar of events tailored to each phase of your medical education, including specialty info sessions, Alumni panels, and residency application workshops. Whether you’re exploring dual degrees or preparing for your ERAS application, our career advising team is your partner in success.

Building a future in medicine is a shared journey and we're here to walk it with you.

Contact Us

Jason Lazar, MD, PhD, MPH
Executive Vice Dean

Sophie Christoforou, MSEd
Associate Dean for Student and Curricular Affairs

Isaiah Marshall-Thomas, MPH
Coordinator for Special Programs and Career Services

Dionne Davis
Alumni Early Career Advising Coordinator

Email us at CareerAdvisingCOM@downstate.edu

Downstate Career Planning By Year

  • Early Career Advisors - Students meet in small groups with their early career advisor to discuss academic, research, specialty, and career exploration-related topics.

    Students are encouraged complete the AAMC Careers in Medicine self-assessment tools. Students will discuss the results during the ECA sessions.
  • Alternative Careers in Medicine Night - Interactive presentations from physicians who are pursuing careers that extend beyond clinical medicine.
  • Constructing a Medical Student Curriculum Vitae - Interactive online seminar conducted by one of the Clinical Advisory Deans (a role described below - Year 3) and the Director of Career Advising. 
  • AOA Specialty Forum - The AOA Medical Honor Society, in conjunction with the Office of Student Affairs, hosts faculty from a variety of clinical specialties to meet in small groups with Year 1 and 2 students interested in hearing about their specialty.
  • Activities Fair: Student Specialty Organization Presentations - The Office of Student Life hosts student organizations focused on a clinical specialty. Student Interest Groups host  faculty and guest speakers to talk about their specialty, the types of patients they serve and the health care setting they practice in.
  • Alumni Mentoring Night(s)- Alumni at various stages of their careers share their career journeys and offer guidance about navigating medical school.
  • Alternative Careers in Medicine Night - Interactive presentations from physicians who are pursuing careers that extend beyond clinical medicine.
  • Class Meeting on Third Year Scheduling - Presentation on lottery selection for core clerkship scheduling.
  • AOA Specialty Forum - The AOA Medical Honor Society, in conjunction with the Office of Student Affairs, hosts faculty from a variety of clinical specialties to meet in small groups with Year 1 and 2 students interested in hearing about their specialty.
  • Activities Fair: Student Specialty Organization Presentations - The Office of Student Life hosts student organizations focused on a clinical specialty. Student Interest Groups host  faculty and guest speakers to talk about their specialty, the types of patients they serve and the health care setting they practice in.
  • Class Meeting on Visiting Electives – The Office of Student Affairs hosts an annual class meeting for students who are interested in completing electives at other institutions – also known as “away electives.” 
  • Residency Application Q&A Session – The Office of Career Advising hosts a Q&A session for 4th year students about best practices for completing their respective residency applications. Topics include developing personal statements and CVs, understanding deadlines for various application platforms, asking for letters of recommendation, etc.  
  • One on One meetings with Clinical Department Chairs – Students meet with Clinical Department Chairs in their specialties of interest to discuss their application strategies.