Pathology Job Market Assessment

1. Pathology Job Market Assessment Sharon Bihlmeyer, MD, FCAP Michael S. Brown, MD, FCAP

2. We Set out to Gain Initial Insight into the Following… • Is it difficult to find a job following residency or fellowship? • If it is difficult, why is it difficult – and how difficult is it? • Are residents finding it necessary to do multiple fellowships to be competitive in today’s market place?

3. CAP Survey Overview We surveyed a CAP Member Research Panel (258 CAP Fellows who have been in practice for 1-5 years.) Results were at a 90% confidence level with a +/- 5% margin of error.

4. CAP Fellow Age Statistics • 4018 CAP Fellow members are 55 and older. • This accounts for 36% of total Fellow members • Ages 55 through 65 account for 78% of the 55+ group • What does this mean? • High percentage “soon to retire” which could significantly open up the job market *Based on March 2009 CAP data

5. U.S. Age Statistics • The older population (65+) numbered 37.9 million in 2007 which is an increase of 11.2% since 1997. • U.S. population age 65+ is expected to double in size within the next 25 years. • Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 19 years. • The age group 85+ is now the fastest growing segment. *based off date taken from the US Census Bureau and Dept. Health and Human Services

6. What does this mean? • The need for Pathologists will increase due to the aging population. • Additional tests required • Higher likelihood of chronic conditions • As Pathologists retire there will be a significant increase in available positions.

7. Survey Questions/ResultsHow many have completed or are currently in a fellowship? 88%

8. How many fellowships did you complete? One 67% Two 30% Three+ 3%

9. Why did you do a fellowship? Interest in the Specialty 90% To be more competitive for jobs 82% Need for additional skill training 81% The job I wanted was not available 7%

10. How many jobs did you apply for? One 22% Two 16% Three 17% Four 9% Five+ 36%

11. Did you receive a job offer? Yes 97% No 3%

12. How many offers did you get? One 44% Two 29% Three 19% Four+ 8%

13. Were you offered a position in your preferred geographic location? City 40% State 17% Region of US 30% No 13%

14. Were you able to get a job in your preferred practice setting? Yes 90% No 10%

15. Did the interviewers care about the number of publications you authored? Yes 33% No 47% Don’t Know 20%

16. How important was networking and personal contacts in finding leads for jobs? Extremely/Very Important 84%

17. How difficult was it to find a job? Mostly Easy 44% Neutral 33% Mostly Difficult 22%

18. How happy are/were you in your first job? Mostly Happy 62% Neutral 23% Less Happy 15%

19. What was the biggest barrier to overcome in finding the first job? Positions in geographic preferred area 55% Shortage of positions in general 32% (yet 97% got jobs!) Positions in preferred practice setting 31%

20. What CAP career resources did you find valuable in your job search? Open positions on the Online Career Ctr 48% Networking at the annual meeting 16% Posting my resume online via OCC 14% Use of the CAP online membership directory 11%

21. During residency or fellowship training, what opportunities did you find most helpful in your job search? Working with pathologists in my training program 70% Being introduced to Colleagues by well-known pathologists who trained me 58% Attending local state society meetings 25%

22. SummaryGood News! • Job market is competitive but not overly saturated. • 97% got offers with the average applicant getting two offers. • 88% did a fellowship with the majority doing one.

23. Summary • Positions in desired cities, states or regions are more difficult to locate. • The majority found it relatively easy to find a job – with only 1 in 5 having difficulty.

24. Summary Good News! • A significant majority (62%) were happy in their first job. • Demographics of the specialty and of the US population indicate a dramatic growth in the demand for Pathologists.