MS2 – Specialty Exploration & Career Planning

Welcome to MS2

During your second year of medical school, OCRA continues to support your career development as you deepen your understanding of medical specialties and begin preparing for clinical experiences. MS2 is an important time to continue specialty exploration, strengthen your professional portfolio, and build relationships with mentors and advisors.

Throughout MS2, students are encouraged to refine their career interests, engage with specialty-specific opportunities, and continue developing the skills and experiences needed for future residency planning.

MS2 Career Advising Curriculum

The OCRA Career Advising Curriculum consists of three key components designed to support students throughout their medical training: Workshops, Resources, and Career Advising. During MS2, students focus on specialty exploration, professional development, mentorship, and preparation for the transition into clinical training.

Workshops

During MS2, OCRA workshops focus on continued specialty exploration, building a competitive residency foundation, and preparing students for clinical rotations and future residency planning.

• MS2 Orientation
  • Introduction to OCRA resources and career advising services.
• Habits of Successfully Matched Students
  • Learn strategies and practices that contribute to successful residency preparation, including insights on professional development, career planning, and preparing for the residency application process.
    • View the Habits of Successfully Matched Students Presentation
    • Watch the Habits of Successfully Matched Students Recording
• CV Workshop
  • Learn how to develop and maintain a strong curriculum vitae.
  • Introduction to CV Workshop Video
  • Cover Letter & CV Follow-Up Workshop Video
  • OCRA CV Workshop
  • CV Template
• Research and Scholarly Opportunities
  • Learn about opportunities to engage in research, presentations, and scholarly activities.
• Mentorship Opportunities
  • Connect with faculty, residents, and physicians to gain insight into different specialties.
• Speed Mentoring with Riverside County Medical Association (RCMA)
  • Connect with physicians and mentors across different specialties.
• Monthly Specialty Roundtables
  • Engage with physicians through monthly Zoom-based discussions to explore specialty pathways and learn about different career opportunities in medicine.

Resources

OCRA provides resources to help students evaluate specialty options, understand residency pathways, and prepare for future clinical training.

Specialty Profiles

Specialty Profiles provide UCR School of Medicine-specific information about specialties, including residency match information from UCR alumni.

AAMC Careers in Medicine

Use Careers in Medicine resources to explore specialty characteristics, career pathways, and residency planning tools.

Medical Specialty Preference Inventory

The MSPI is a 150 question assessment and compares your personality and preferences to 16 specialties. 

Submit Your AAMC Assessment

Career Advising

OCRA provides individualized career advising to help students refine their career interests, explore specialties, and prepare for clinical rotations and residency planning.

MS2 Career Advisor

Humberto Santiago
MS2 Career Advisor

Humberto provides guidance on specialty exploration, mentorship, professional development, and preparing for the transition into clinical training.

MS2 Career Planning Timeline

July–September: Continue Exploration

• Meet with OCRA advisor.
• Review specialty interests.
• Identify mentorship opportunities.
• Continue building CV.

October–December: Specialty Development

• Attend specialty events/workshops.
• Connect with physicians and residents.
• Explore research and leadership opportunities.

January–March: Preparing for Clinical Years

• Discuss specialty interests with advisors.
• Identify goals for MS3.
• Prepare for clinical rotations.

April–June: Transition Preparation

• Update CV.
• Organize career materials.
• Continue mentorship relationships.

MS2 Goals

• Continue exploring specialties.
• Develop relationships with mentors.
• Strengthen CV and professional portfolio.
• Prepare for clinical rotations.
• Identify career goals for MS3.

MS2 Checklist

☐ Meet with OCRA advisor

☐ Complete  Medical Specialty Preference Inventory

☐ Attend specialty exploration events/workshops

☐ Connect with mentors

☐ Update CV

☐ Explore research opportunities

☐ Prepare for clinical rotations