<p>How would someone be a top ranked surgeon or a top ranked professor? I'm mostly curious about the surgeon aspect. Also would where you went to college affect your look as whatever position you are working in.</p>
<p>The college may impact where you get your first job, but beyond that, it is all up to you, your knowledge, your skills, and how you market yourself in your profession. Being known may involve going to conferences/lectures in your field, writing and publishing papers of your own, having a high success or low malpractice rate, etc. When I look for excellent doctors or surgeons, I want to know that they have been practicing for some time, whether they are aware of new practices and instruments to do the best/most minimally invasive job, etc. </p>
<p>It is not something that happens overnight. It takes a lot of study, practice, experience, and skill to get to the top of your field. Getting straight A’s in school doesn’t mean much in the medical profession if you aren’t good at the actual job. Being personable with patients and networking with doctors for referrals is important as well.</p>
<p>Hard work, talent, and luck.</p>
<p>Along with above posts, I would also add on networking. Who you know can help you a lot in this day and age.</p>