Getting hired is a Physicain Associate students final lesson

Physician Associate / Assistant students and the scramble for their first job.

PAs are still in demand throughout the country and that demand is projected to grow.  Experienced PAs typically have options on which job they choose but for new grads that first job is often the toughest job for them to get.  How can a newly graduated PA with minimal real world experience improve their odds and stand out from their peers?

What you do in school matters

If you know the specialty you want to land in, it’s a good idea to have as many relatable rotations as possible. Want to go into Emergency medicine? Rotate in EM, Medicine, Peds, OB/GYN and Ortho.  Interested in a surgical specialty? Do as many surgical rotations as possible.  You want something to point to as experience in the field you are interviewing for. 

Extracurriculars

Just like when you interviewed for PA school in the first place the interviewer at your first job is trying to get a sense of who you are as a person and these can help.  I found out after the fact that the first attending I interviewed with, landing me my first job, actually noticed I had volunteered to treat homeless youth while in PA school.  I certainly was not thinking about my first job when I did it but it did help me stand out.  Even non medical extracurriculars can be helpful because they can give you and your interviewer something to talk about other than medicine. This will help you connect with them.   

Networking

Be friendly while on your rotations and exchange some contact info. You will be asking for recommendations from some of the people you are working with on your rotations so make it easy for them. Many students actually get offers from their rotations but not every rotation needs a new PA so do not count on it.  You should network away from rotations as well. Start a Linkedin account, this is a great way to put yourself on the map professionally.  Go to conferences and be social. 

So to all you new grads and about to be new grads good luck out there.  If it takes a little longer than you expected to land your first job, keep your chin up and know that it does get easier. 

Pharaoh Sargent PA-C

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