Start Here

You landed here because you want a next step — not a lecture on every pathway. Pick your stage in the sidebar. We will show you what to do this week.

High school

Explore before you commit to a decade of training

You do not need to have it all figured out. Start by seeing what cardiovascular careers actually look like.

  1. See the field through real people

    Short videos and #ChooseCardiology stories from members who were once where you are.

    Watch & Read Stories

  2. Try research with a mentor

    ACC’s Young Scholars Program pairs students with a member mentor for a year of cardiovascular education and research.

    Young Scholars Program

  3. Keep science and service in your plan

    Strong grades in biology and chemistry matter — so does volunteering where you see patients or community health up close.

College & pre-med

Build exposure while you prepare for medical school

Use these years to confirm cardiology fits — and to show programs you are serious about cardiovascular medicine.

  1. Shadow in cardiology settings

    Clinic, cath lab, echo lab, or cardiac rehab — even a few days clarifies whether this work energizes you.

  2. Apply for structured early exposure

    Young Scholars and similar programs give you mentor access before med school applications.

    Young Scholars Program

  3. Learn what physician training actually requires

    Preview the full timeline — med school, internal medicine residency, cardiology fellowship — so you know what you are signing up for.

    Physician Training Overview

Medical student

Test the specialty and join peers who are doing the same

Third and fourth year rotations are your proof point. ACC resources help you go deeper without drowning in links.

  1. Join free medical student membership

    Peer community, cardiology-focused content, and a head start on the specialty — at no cost.

    Join as Medical Student

  2. Use the med student roadmap

    Timeline, FAQs, and advice from ACC Fellows in Training on electives, research, and letters.

    Med Student Resources

  3. Hear how others chose subspecialties

    FITs on the Go videos cover interventional, EP, HF, imaging, and more — in under 10 minutes each.

    Video Gallery

Resident or fellow

You are in the pipeline — focus on the decision in front of you

Whether you are matching into cardiology or choosing a subspecialty, you need stage-specific tools — not a generic career overview.

  1. Jump to your training stage

    Residency interview advice, fellowship application tips, and advanced fellowship match guides — organized by where you are now.

    Physician Training Stages

  2. Connect with your trainee community

    ACC resident and FIT groups share interview strategies, program culture intel, and wellness support.

    Trainee Communities

  3. Plan leadership early if that is your goal

    Fellowship builds clinical skill — professional development programs help you lead, teach, and advance when you are ready.

    Explore Programs

CV Team

Cardiology needs more than physicians — find your role on the team

Dozens of allied roles deliver cardiovascular care. Start with the category that matches your training or interests.

  1. Browse roles by category

    Imaging, advanced practice, therapy, and support roles — with education paths for each.

    CV Team Role Guide

  2. Read a day-in-the-life profile

    NPs, pharmacists, and technologists describe what their work actually looks like day to day.

    Member Profiles

  3. Validate your knowledge with ACC certificates

    NP/PA-CCKE and related credentials signal cardiovascular expertise to employers.

    Certificates

Research & career change

Build a research portfolio or pivot without starting over

Clinical trials, academia, industry, and unconventional paths all sit inside cardiovascular medicine — with different entry points.

  1. Map the clinical trials pathway

    From coordinator to principal investigator — education, awards, and ACC’s trials development program.

    Clinical Research Path

  2. Explore paths beyond the clinic

    Industry, entrepreneurship, and alternative cardiology careers — for physicians and allied professionals.

    Alternative Careers

  3. Target funding and investigator awards

    Young investigator awards and fellowship grants help you build credibility early.

    Award Opportunities

Still not sure where you fit? That is normal.

Browse member stories for motivation, or ask ACC for a human pointer.

Browse Stories & Videos Talk to ACC