An introduction to academic radiology.

If you are a junior faculty member or are thinking of pursuing an academic career path, and you have read this far, you may be feeling somewhat overwhelmed. Keep all of this in perspective with your own personal goals and your "nonacademic" life outside the medical center. The multifaceted career of an academic radiologist may span 20-30 years or more. Whichever aspect of an academic career suits you best now may not be what suits you best 5 or 10 years from now. While you should be concentrating on the publication of manuscripts as an assistant professor, the other aspects, particularly administration and participation in organized radiology, may play a larger role in your career as you become more senior.