Finding a job in DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland

While several cities are labeled historical, shouldering a bit of our country’s history, there is only one place with unarguable bragging rights in this department: Washington DC, our nation’s capital.  Almost daily, you can observe gaggles of elementary school students on field trips, touring the U.S. Capital Building or the White House as bits of history from their text books take shape before them.

As the nation’s capital, Washington DC is an economically sound area, often called “recession proof.”  After all, regardless of the state of the economy the federal government will still function.  Over one-fourth of the areas population is employed by the government; additional employment is found through government-related businesses such as lobbying firms, administrative services companies, and even catering services.  On the non-governmental end of the spectrum, universities and hospitals such as Georgetown University and Washington Hospital Center are the number one employers—which is great news for doctors considering the move to this metro.

Given its historical and cultural significance, Washington DC is a major tourism destination—and not just for kids on field trips.  Particular sites of interest include the many monuments dedicated to American leaders found along The National Mall, an open park area in the center of the city featuring many monuments to American leaders.  Other popular sites include the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  There are also several museums within The District, ranging from the reflective United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to the fun International Spy Museum, where guests assume the identity of a spy as they learn the art of espionage.

Of course there is more to the DC metro area than educational outings; there is everything from fine dining restaurants to trendy boutiques, from theatre performances at the Studio Theatre to baseball games at Nationals Park.  For the kids, the area offers a plethora of schools ranging from public, charter, to private schools.  In fact, some of the most prestigious private schools in the country can be found in The District, including Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, St. Anselm's Abbey School, and Washington International School.

Many doctors who work in DC live in nearby cities such as Baltimore or Northern Virginia cities.  Others choose to work in these various locales, commuting to The District every now and then for a night out on the town (if you’re feeling chic) or a family weekend visiting the various monuments (if you’re feeling domestic).  Regardless of where you choose to practice, expect a diverse patient population and traditional northern seasons.  And just think, while some have to go on a field trip to end up on the sidewalks of bustling Washington DC, you’ll just have to walk outside.