Suzanne A Gronemeyer1. 1. Academic Programs Office, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-2794, USA. suzanne.gronemeyer@stjude.org
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Our Pediatric Oncology Education Program gives predoctoral students the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience to enable them to consider careers in cancer research, clinical practice, and related areas. METHODS: Students are matched with a faculty mentor with similar research interests and participate in the mentor's ongoing research program. They attend ongoing institutional clinical and basic research conferences, as well as a Lunch & Learn seminar series designed specifically for them. They give a PowerPoint presentation on their research project in the Lunch & Learn series and submit a report on their research project written in the style of a journal in which their mentor publishes. RESULTS: Follow-up for 98.4% of the 807 program participants (1978-2004) indicates that of those who have finished their academic degree work, 87.9% have a doctorate, including 79.8% of the under-represented minority participants. 73.6% (594) of former participants are still in training. 32.3% (261) have a pediatrics or family medicine career or career goal, 24.3% (196) have a cancer-related career or career goal, and 4.8% (39) are already in a cancer-committed career. Approximately one-half of recent participants who returned for a second or third appointment have a cancer-related career goal. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that predoctoral pediatric oncology research experience fosters cancer-related career goals.
BACKGROUND: Our Pediatric Oncology Education Program gives predoctoral students the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience to enable them to consider careers in cancer research, clinical practice, and related areas. METHODS: Students are matched with a faculty mentor with similar research interests and participate in the mentor's ongoing research program. They attend ongoing institutional clinical and basic research conferences, as well as a Lunch & Learn seminar series designed specifically for them. They give a PowerPoint presentation on their research project in the Lunch & Learn series and submit a report on their research project written in the style of a journal in which their mentor publishes. RESULTS: Follow-up for 98.4% of the 807 program participants (1978-2004) indicates that of those who have finished their academic degree work, 87.9% have a doctorate, including 79.8% of the under-represented minority participants. 73.6% (594) of former participants are still in training. 32.3% (261) have a pediatrics or family medicine career or career goal, 24.3% (196) have a cancer-related career or career goal, and 4.8% (39) are already in a cancer-committed career. Approximately one-half of recent participants who returned for a second or third appointment have a cancer-related career goal. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that predoctoral pediatric oncology research experience fosters cancer-related career goals.