The Resident Forum at the AUA2023 meeting hosted an excellent panel highlighting career successes outside of clinical urology. The panel consisted of Drs Ranjith Ramasamy, Sumeet Bhanvadia, Badrinath Konety, and Jeffrey Tosoian, thus representing a multitude of different career trajectories both within and outside of traditional clinical urology. While the majority of urology residency graduates go on to practice clinical urology in the traditional setting (academic or private practice), the panelists identified a number of nonclinical pathways available to urologists, including: administrative positions, health policy/advocacy, and industry (see Figure). Importantly, the group emphasized that success is not defined by a successful clinical practice alone. We highlight the key points discussed during this invaluable session.

Identifying Potential Nonclinical Career Pathways

During residency training, there is not often formal exposure to alterative career pathways outside of clinical urology. The panelists stressed the importance of making an active, concerted effort towards identifying opportunities and gaining exposure to some of these pathways early on in training or early in clinical practice. Some discussed mechanisms by which residents and young urologists can help identify nonclinical opportunities include networking at conferences, engagement in social media,¹ consideration of professional and postgraduate degrees (such as MBA, MHA, or master’s degrees), and engagement in the AUA leadership and business institute programming. The panelists encouraged constant self-reflection throughout training and practice, specifically to evaluate fulfillment and to determine if your current role is in line with your interests. As one’s interests develop and mature, new opportunities will continue to become available that may be worthy of exploration.

Seizing Opportunities

After the identification of an attractive career pathway outside of clinical urology, the question remains how best to take the plunge and pursue this new trajectory. Self-promotion and networking through social media engagement and presenting/networking at conferences is one way to gain visibility,² permitting ease of contact between professionals such as industry personnel, business experts, administrators, health policy advocates, and others. A matching of interests may translate to the development of a new career opportunity outside of clinical practice, though the conversation alone even without an available opportunity is inherently valuable.

One cannot underestimate the value of identifying a mentor when pursuing success in these endeavors.³ The identification of mentors within a newly identified alternative career pathways is paramount in order to gain insight into how best to initiate a change in course and set yourself up for success. Universally, the panelists stressed the importance of not allowing the fear of judgment from colleagues for leaving clinical practice to prevent exploration of alternative career pathways, encouraging the audience of trainees to challenge the dogma of what makes a successful urologist. Urologists are valuable to society, with a great skill and expertise to offer not only to patients but also to systems, industry, and society. The panelists encouraged residents and practicing urologists to take a seat at the table, one with the ability to make a meaningful impact, regardless of setting.

It Is Never Too Late to Pivot

While early identification and exposure to career pathways outside of clinical urology is beneficial, one must be understanding of the fact that interests change and develop over the course of practice. New opportunities may fall into one’s lap as they progress through clinical practice which might ignite a spark and fuel consideration of a change in career trajectory. The panelists encouraged bravery and open-mindedness throughout all stages of one’s career, highlighting the importance of having any and all conversations that may come their way in regard to potential new opportunities. We as a community of practicing urologists owe it to ourselves to be educated about the multitude of career possibilities that might value our unique skillset and knowledge base so as to make the most informed decisions about our careers and the impact we aim to impart. Furthermore, we serve an important role to guide and mentor the future generations of urologists who are seeking involvement outside the realms of traditional urological care.