A career in endocrinology

‘ I work as an Endocrinologist’ is a statement that could be made by all sorts of people doing a variety of jobs, but all sharing a common interest in hormones and their actions. Endocrinologists may work as nurses, vets, physicians, university academics, laboratory researchers, drug developers in the pharmaceutical industry, toxicologists, environmentalists and clinical biochemists. And this is just a list of the major areas in which endocrinologists work.

Unlike biochemistry, for example, there isn’t a simple route into becoming an endocrinologist: There isn’t an undergraduate degree course you can take which automatically qualifies you as an ‘endocrinologist’. Those of us working in endocrinology have come here through a variety of routes. For example, with a degree in medicine, you could specialise in endocrinology following your core training, and then follow a Clinical Academic pathway.  Alternatively, you might complete an undergraduate degree in biological sciences, and then carry out postgraduate and postdoctoral research in endocrinology.

You can find out how some of my fellow clinical and basic science endocrinologists came into endocrinology, and read their job descriptionsin the career profiles section.

Also don’t forget to find out how joining the Society can help you on to progress your career in endocrinology.

Dr Joy Hinson
Director of the Graduate School, Barts and The London, Queen Mary University of London