While adjusting to life in a new state for my internal medicine residency, friends and colleagues frequently asked what I wanted to do within internal medicine. As a newcomer, I felt a lot of self-doubt sharing that I want to pursue a career in cardiology. The response to this declaration often did not soothe my feelings of inadequacy. "That's what everyone says at first. Just wait until you're a few more months into residency, a lot of people change their mind once they see how hard it is." "Do you know it's very competitive? So many people don't get in." It was easy to internalize these comments as a young woman interested in pursuing a career in a male-dominated field, living in a region where most people had never heard of my hometown. Why would anyone expect me to be successful?

Feeling initially clueless about how I could cultivate even a chance of pulling this off, my program paired me with a faculty mentor within our cardiology department. I was thrilled to have a woman as a mentor. Although I've had many excellent mentors who were men, there are experiences and challenges within medicine that are unique to women.

During my first meeting with my mentor,  what meant the most to me was that she took time to get to know me. She asked about my family, what I like to do outside of medicine and how I am adjusting to life as a new resident. She was also one of the first people in residency who really encouraged me to believe in myself. Her display of empathy and support has stayed with me.

My faculty mentor encouraged me to apply for ACC's Internal Medicine Women's Cohort, a program designed to connect residents with mentors, a peer network and education on career development within cardiology. I have been a member of the Cohort since my acceptance in the fall of 2023. Despite the road to fellowship's many challenges, the culture of support in this program has been overwhelmingly positive, and trainees hear words of encouragement such as "I am really proud of you." "You can do this."

The program also paired me with a cardiology fellow who met with me at ACC.24. She endorsed feeling many of the same insecurities I felt, and attributed much of her success and psychological well-being to the positive mentors in her life. She explained that participating now as a mentor for residents is one way she gives back.

When individuals who are senior to you in their career make themselves approachable and available as a source of support, it is not just helpful for navigating the logistics of career development, but it tells trainees that they matter. In a field where diversity has room for further expansion, we need to continue to create a culture of support, inclusivity and respect. I will always remember the way words of encouragement made me feel.