Training as a surgeon is intense—almost a decade of education, residency, and fellowship. But for many, the most stressful phase comes next: the job search. In this episode of The Intentional Surgeon, Dr. Madeline Torres shares her journey from the uncertainty and anxiety of looking for her first surgical position to finding clarity, confidence, and mentorship that supported her early career.

From identifying your non-negotiables to leveraging mentorship networks, this episode is packed with practical advice for surgical trainees about to take the next big step in their careers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Facing the job search anxiety: The fears, hopes, and uncertainties that come after nearly a decade of training.
• Defining non-negotiables: How Dr. Torres prioritized what mattered most—from clinical focus to location to work-life integration.
• Asking the tough questions: The importance of understanding workplace culture, faculty relationships, and family leave policies before signing an offer.
• Building mentorship networks: From group chats with peers to calling mentors across institutions, how mentorship provides guidance, confidence, and support.
• Creating a structured path: Tools and strategies to avoid feeling lost and instead walk into interviews and job offers with clarity.

About Dr. Madeline Torres

Dr. Madeline Torres is a board-certified General Surgeon (American Board of Surgery) and Surgical Oncologist at Cooper University Health Care, where she also serves as Assistant Professor of Surgery at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Torres brings nearly a decade of training and extensive clinical experience to her practice, with a focus on surgical oncology.

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