Unlock the secrets to a thriving LGG fellowship with these tried-and-true experiences. Given the complexity and comprehensiveness of a two (or three) year training program, it's not always clear how to maximize the training. This guide is your key to unlocking success in the dynamic world of clinical genetics.
Congratulations on your journey as a Clinical LGG Fellow—a future clinical lab geneticist! If you're reading this article, you've either just started your LGG fellowship or are about to begin the training soon. This marks a significant transition, especially for those transitioning from basic science research lab or clinical lab scientist role, even if you have extensive experience in a clinical lab. To maximize this pivotal experience, a strategic and well-planned approach is crucial. In this guide, we'll share five essential tips to not only help you navigate but also succeed in your LGG fellowship.
Tip #1 - Set Clear and Attainable Goals
Once you begin your LGG fellowship, the initial excitement is palpable, and your aspirations are sky-high. However, with a limited timeframe of two or three years packed with duties and training goals, achieving success requires a well-thought-out plan. It's crucial to communicate openly with your program director, understanding their expectations while expressing your interests. Whether it's specific lab skills, lab rotations, research endeavors, or scholarly activities like publishing papers or presenting at national conferences, take the time to establish clear and achievable goals. Identify the skills you aim to acquire or enhance—whether it's mastering a particular lab technique, refining result analysis and interpretation skills, or gaining expertise in a specialized area. This strategic approach will not only provide your fellowship with purpose but also set a clear direction for your professional growth. It will maximize your training experience and prepare you as highly successful candidate in the job market.
The demands of the LGG fellowship are demanding, requiring effective organization and time management. Develop systems to keep track of tasks, schedules, and test records. A well-organized approach not only helps you stay on top of your responsibilities but also showcases your professionalism and competence. Remember just three words, Organization, Prioritization and Time management.
Tip #2 - Know Yourself and Training Purpose & Milestones
In the realm of clinical genetics, your journey is guided by well-established learning guidelines from ABMGG (American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics) and training milestones provided by ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education). While these documents, written and established by the board, may appear lengthy and at times ambiguous, it's imperative to dive into them.
Link of learning guide from ABMGG: http://www.abmgg.org/pages/program_learning.shtml
Link of training milestones from ACGME: https://www.acgme.org/Specialties/Medical-Genetics-and-Genomics/Milestones
Both of these documents emphasize four core skills: clinical competency (or patient-care), medical genetics knowledge, communication skills, and lab management skills (or system-based practice, practice-based learning, and lab QA/QC). It is crucial to compare yourself in these four core skills and formulate a plan for improving each one.
Some objectives may seem daunting, and the feasibility of achieving them can vary across training institutions. However, by reading and comprehending these guidelines, you gain insight into the overarching purpose of your training and the milestones expected of you.
Compare your own aspirations and capabilities with the outlined milestones. Regularly track your progress, ensuring alignment with the expected milestones. This proactive approach not only keeps you on the right path but also allows you to tailor your training experience to maximize its impact, ensuring you grow in tandem with the expectations set by the governing bodies.
Tip #3 - Build Meaningful Professional Relationships
While technical skills such as lab benchwork, data analysis, interpretation, and report writing are vital focuses for LGG fellows, there's an equally important aspect often overlooked—networking. In this small and exclusive field, limited to board-certified medical professionals, the relationships you build during your fellowship can have a lasting impact. As you progress in your career, finding time to establish new professional connections becomes challenging.
Leverage your fellow status; people in this field often welcome newcomers and are eager to offer guidance. Whether working in teams, attending meetings, or participating in conferences, you'll likely encounter the same professionals repeatedly. Take advantage of this opportunity to build relationships not only with senior clinical lab geneticists but also with fellow trainees from other institutions. Establishing connections now can lead to future collaborations, joint board studies, case discussions, and valuable job information sharing.
It's a golden time to cultivate professional relationships within the field during the LGG fellowship. Remember, effective communication and collaboration are core skills outlined in the learning guidelines. Foster meaningful connections with colleagues, supervisors, and fellow students. Seek mentors for valuable insights. A supportive professional network not only enhances your learning experience but also opens doors to future opportunities in your field.
Tip #4 - Keep Tracking Your Logbook
As you progress through your LGG fellowship, it's crucial to stay vigilant about your logbook. Towards the end of your training, you'll be preparing for the ABMGG board certification exam, and completing the logbook requirements is an essential part of this process. The ABMGG outlines the logbook requirements for the LGG fellowship on their website, emphasizing a minimum number of clinical cases.
Logbook requirement: http://www.abmgg.org/2023/cert_logbook.shtml
(Note: It could change the link once they update it. If this link does not work, please check the ABMGG website)
While the logbook requirements are typically manageable for LGG fellows, it remains your responsibility to consistently track your case log. Check and estimate whether you can fulfill the requirements by the end of your training. Since log requirements may change for each board exam cycle, it's essential to stay informed, as program directors may not always be up-to-date on the latest specifications.
Work diligently on your case log and discuss any questions or concerns with your program director. The board generally expects completion by March 15th of the exam year. If feasible, aim to finish it by the end of November the year before the exam year. Once you think you have completed the logbook, review it with your program director to confirm their agreement with its completion. If any deficiencies or inaccuracies are found, you still have three months to add additional cases or make corrections. It is one of the common mistakes that LGG fellows make at the end of training – the discrepancy of the completion of the logbook between the fellow and program director. In the worst case, you cannot complete it and may not graduate on-time or even need to extend your training. Additionally, be aware that some training programs may have additional requirements beyond the ABMGG logbook, depending on their lab sample volume. Remember, the ABMGG logbook sets the minimum requirements.
Tip #5 - ABMGG Board Certification Itself Does Not Guarantee Your Future Job
While the ABMGG board certification is a significant achievement, it's crucial to recognize that it alone does not ensure your future job prospects. At this early stage in your fellowship, thinking about your future job might seem premature, and predicting the job market dynamics in the coming years is indeed challenging. However, I want to emphasize an important aspect to consider as you progress in your career.
When you eventually seek employment post-fellowship, you'll be competing for positions that require the ABMGG board certification. This certification serves as a baseline requirement rather than a unique strength in your job application. Jobs of this nature often have limited openings, typically just one or two. Without additional strengths or skills, it becomes challenging to stand out among other candidates, reducing your chances of receiving a job offer.
To enhance your competitiveness, it's essential to think about your future and develop strengths or skills that set you apart in the job market. Put yourself in the employer's shoes—why should they choose you over other candidates? If your answer relies solely on possessing ABMGG board certification, it may not be sufficient. Recognize that other candidates will also have this certification. Consider developing unique strengths, whether through outstanding research publications, research and development experience, clinical trial involvement, extensive clinical lab exposure, management and teaching skills, or other soft skills such as effective communication.
In Summary
The ABMGG LGG fellowship is an exciting and transformative journey. To make the most of this experience, remember to set clear and attainable goals of training with your program director. Build meaningful professional relationships within the tight-knit community of clinical genetics, as networking can be a key factor in your future success. Keep a vigilant eye on your logbook, ensuring alignment with ABMGG requirements, and seek feedback from your program director to avoid discrepancies. Lastly, while the ABMGG board certification is a crucial milestone, it's essential to recognize that it alone doesn't guarantee future job opportunities. Focus on developing unique strengths and skills that will make you stand out in the competitive job market. By embracing these tips, you'll not only be ready for completing your LGG fellowship successfully but also prepare yourself as a strong candidate in the dynamic field of clinical lab genetics.