You'll never walk alone

It's a long and lonely trail from being a bright eyed medical student to the dizzy heights of becoming a consultant. Luckily the library is here to guide you on your way.

The first obstacle is the Foundation Programme. It has its own dedicated website that explains the mysteries from career path and curriculum to FAQs and a forum to talk to other Foundation newbies.

It's always helpful to have a guidebook when you are going somewhere new, and naturally we have several in the library.

"The Foundation Programme: the medics' practical guide to thriving and surviving" has an introduction from Phil Hammond. It advises on everything from surviving the first few months to life after the programme.

"The Foundation Programme for Doctors: getting in, getting on and getting out" is written by two students and an FY1 doctor. It covers everything from filling out your application forms to developing your portfolio.

"The Foundation Years: a handbook for junior doctors" includes some experiences of a FY2, and looks at writing a CV, and all the nitty gritty around shifts and rotas.

More generally we have books on writing the best CVs and getting through interviews, and if you fancy spending time in exotic locations we have "The Medics' Guide to Work and Electives Around the World". Don't forget to gen up on travel medicine before you go.

If you are looking to clamber further up the greasy pole then consider "The Specialist Registrar and New Consultant Handbook". It offers enlightenment on how the NHS works, clinical governance, training and assessing others, as well as the management skills you will need.

Even those at the top of the tree cannot rest on their laurels (admittedly a slightly mixed metaphor, but at least sticks to a horticultural theme). We have books on revalidation and appraisal.

Along the way you may find books on coping with stress, working in teams, ethics, communication and law useful. You could even read books or papers on your clinical speciality to help you keep up to date, or use our current awareness service.

So there you have it - your complete survival kit for a top notch medical career - contents, one library.

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I'll be there for you

I am very fond of the older versions of the Everyman library of books. Inside each one is a lovely scrolled line drawing of Good Deeds and the comforting words of Knowledge: "Everyman, I will go with thee and be thy guide, in thy most need to go by thy side."

It' s always nice to have a friend and guide. For personal issues most of us are lucky enough to have a friend or relative who will listen to our woes, help us get some perspective, and perhaps offer some suggestions. For work issues this can be trickier. Our friends may not know the ins and outs of our organisation and our role. For a critical, unbiased, knowledgeable view some of us may turn to a mentor or coach.

Mentors are often associated with student nurses, but everyone from pharmacists to doctors can benefit from having a mentor. You don't need to be new to your career or role. A mentor can be a useful sounding board to help you face particular issues, they can also help you move from role role to another. A mentor can help support you as you move into a management post, perhaps, or help you think through what step you need to take next in your career. A good mentor doesn't tell you the answers to any of your problems - they support you as you find your own way.

The CIPD has a factsheet on mentoring which explains what it is, and how coaching is different. The Coaching and Mentoring Network also offers definitions and other resources. TIN - the Improvement Network from the East Midlands has an area devoted to mentoring, coaching and facilitating. Healthcare Workforce has a mentoring framework looking at the benefits of mentoring, how a mentoring relationship works, and what makes a good mentor.

The National Institute for Innovation and Improvement has some mentoring case studies. They also have a coaching programme for senior leaders. The Nursing Standard has stories of students' experiences of being mentored.

If you are not in need of a mentor, then do think about being a mentor yourself. You'll learn from your mentee, you'll boost your own CV, it's really good for your communication and management skills and also boosts your confidence.

We have books in the library on mentoring and coaching - Coaching for Effective Learning, Coaching and Mentoring at Work, Effective Coaching in Healthcare and Everyone Needs a Mentor are just the tip of the iceberg. The Training and Development team can also help with mentoring and coaching.

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