As Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) prepares for Match Day, we are spotlighting Valinda Lee, MA, KPSOM Career Advising and Development Program Manager, who plays a pivotal role in guiding students through this milestone in their medical school journey. From the moment students begin their education at KPSOM, Valinda works closely with them to explore specialties, navigate residency applications and, ultimately, help them match into programs that align with their goals and values. In this interview, she shares insights into her role, the advising process, and the rewarding experience of supporting students as they take the next step in their medical careers.
What do you do as a Career Advising and Development Manager?
It’s my job to support our students in deciding what kind of doctor they want to become and to help them make it happen. There are a lot of people at our school who do this work alongside me including our Faculty Career Advisors, our Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and our Senior Director of Student Affairs.
Every school does this a little bit differently. At KPSOM, our Clerkship Directors and our Specialty Directors are responsible for the specialty curriculum, and they also act as our Faculty Career Advisors. I collaborate closely with them to support our students, helping them decide what kind of doctor they want to be, and then helping them apply to residency programs.
Do students start with career advising on day one of their medical education?
One of the things I value about career advising at KPSOM is how it is intentionally integrated into the curriculum. I meet with our M1 students during the Early Immersive Experience to give them an introduction to career advising at KPSOM. Then, I have at least two sessions a year with all our students during the REACH (Reflection, Education, Assessment, Coaching, and Health and well-being) curriculum.
Additionally, each student has required individual career sessions annually. The sessions build upon each other, starting by building a framework for mutual trust and collaboration from the beginning.
In year three, each student has a Residency Prep Meeting with me and their Faculty Advisor to discuss their priorities for residency and provide guidance and recommendations. I don’t know of any other medical school in the country that has an individual meeting like this with their students, staff, and faculty advisors all present at the same time.
Finally, in year four, just after residency applications are submitted, students complete a recorded mock interview with trained Southern California Permanente Medical Group physician volunteers. We do our best to anticipate student needs and provide support for all students, regardless of their background.
