[The choice of career and the prospects for the professional development of students of medicine].

This paper is based on a survey on 1,044 medical students during the 3rd, 4th and, 5th year of the career, internship and social service in four different medical schools in Mexico City's metropolitan area. Their motivations for studying medicine and their perspectives for professional development are analyzed. More than 90% decided on their own to study medicine, about 60% decided to study medicine for personal satisfaction, 50% have relatives in the field, 90% wish to become specialists and the same percentage would like to work in a public institution. About 60% of the students believe they will find a job immediately after finishing their training.