This book offers comprehensive career development advice for professionals in radiation oncology. While numerous texts have been published to advise medical students on entry into the specialty, and to guide residents and junior faculty with exam preparation, there remains a need for a comprehensive resource that covers topics pertinent to a successful career within radiation oncology. This text has been edited and written by leading experts in the field, and offers multiple unique vantage points.

This work is divided into five sections covering career planning, applying to faculty positions, early career development, mid and senior career considerations, and contextual issues. Throughout the text, authors balance "nuts and bolts" (e.g., preparing your CV and evaluating a contract) with big picture considerations. Each chapter is written concisely, yet comprehensively, from the vantage point of a mentor advising a mentee; questions to review with local mentors and additional reading suggestions are also provided. Issues of workforce disparities, conscious and unconscious bias, work-life equilibrium, and interpersonal conflict, and how these may impact one's career path, are also closely addressed. While the work is primarily targeted to those pursuing career paths within academic medicine, there is also distinct value and tailored content for trainees and radiation oncologists practicing in hospital-based, hybrid or community settings.

In a period of rapid change in the healthcare sector and cancer care more specifically, this book will serve as the premier reference for those pursuing an independent career in radiation oncology.

SECTION I: CAREER PLANNING

Career Options in Radiation Oncology
Foundations for a Successful Career
Approaching Your Academic Career
Strategies for Applicants Belonging to Underrepresented Groups
SECTION II: APPLYING TO FACULTY POSITIONS
Informational Interviews / Interviewing for a Position
Preparing your CV and Cover Letter
Evaluating Your Contract/Medical Legal Considerations
Changing Jobs
SECTION III: EARLY CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Identifying and utilizing mentors 
Conflict Resolution and Interpersonal Strategies
Aligning Your Goals with Your Colleagues, Department, and Institution
Working with Staff and Colleagues
Becoming a Clinician: Organization, Interprofessional Considerations, Documentation, Billing, and Insurance
Becoming an educator: giving feedback, supervising trainees, formal didactics
Becoming a researcher: Grants & Budgets; Reviewing and Writing Papers; and the IRB
Radiation Oncology Career development in an Academic Satellite Network
When life happens: parental leave, part-time schedules and flexible workplace strategies
SECTION IV: MID AND SENIOR CAREER
Professionalism: Instincts Below the Surface and Environmental Influences.- Promotions
Maintenance and Assessment of Skills and Knowledge Over the Career Continuum 
Networking
Leadership versus Service: What's the Difference? Is There a Difference?
Disease Site Leadership.- Role of the Department Chair
Successful Strategies to Exploit the Intersection Between the Radiation Oncology Department and Cancer Center
Business Development from Research, Entrepreneurship Within Academic Medicine
An Approach to the Management of Selected Personnel and Ethical Problems in Academic Radiation Oncology
Approaching strategic planning
SECTION V: MISCELLANEOUS CONTEXT ISSUES
Handling Burnout.- Preparing for retirement and career transitions
Personal Finance and Work-Life Balance
Paying it forward: being a good mentor, steward,and colleague.