Is the specialty rotation necessary to pursue the career specialty?

[TaraFuturePA]

Hi all,

Clinical year PA student here. I’m wondering if doing an elective in the speciality you desire to pursue in your career is necessary to land a job in that speciality? For instance, if I’m interested in CT surgery, will doing a rotation in CT surgery necessary for me to land a CT surgery job in the future? 
 

I know this question is rhetorical, but due to many variables, the elective rotation that was secured is no longer available and my school is having a hard time to find a replacement for the specific time frame…

Any input would be much appreciated! Thanks! 

[ohiovolffemtp]

Necessary, no.  Helpful, yes, in many ways:

• you'll actually have experience in that specialty to get a much better feel for if you like life as a PA in that field.
• you'll make contacts (physicians, PA's, etc) in that field who can be references and point you in the direction of job openings.
• you'll have more creditability when you interview, because you can say you were interested in that specialty and doing a rotation in that specialty confirmed that you feel it's right for you.