If being a Physician were not a career option, what career path would you have chosen?
Your interviewers want to get to know each candidate better personally during their interviews. This hypothetical question will give the interviewers some insight into other topics that interest you outside of the medical field and let them get a glimpse of your personality.
"I do not regret the direction I have taken my career, and I'm looking forward to additional fellowship training. If I were forced to start over in a new direction, I would likely pursue a career in social services. I am passionate about helping the underserved in the medical field, and I'm sure I would carve out a niche working with either the homeless or developmentally disabled populations."
There is no right or wrong answer to this question, but be sure to think about questions like this before your fellowship program interviews. Talk openly and honestly with your interviewers about where your career path would have ideally taken you if becoming a physician wasn't an option.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I would have become a teacher. I find it heartening to impart knowledge and to learn from the people I am teaching, which I discovered as a student instructor for pathology and biochemistry in medical school and continued through residency when working with junior co-residents.
Jaymie's Feedback
It's apparent throughout your responses that you enjoy mentoring and teaching others, so I think sharing this natural second choice will make sense to the interviewer.
