Purpose
There is a significant gap in Australian medical students' understanding and engagement with pathology as a medical specialty. Addressing this gap is crucial to mitigating the national shortage of pathologists while fostering an appreciation for the field among future clinicians, regardless of their career trajectory. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing students' specialty choices and strategies to enhance their exposure to pathology as a career choice.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among first- and second-year MD students at the University of Queensland (UQ) to explore their specialty preferences, factors influencing their decisions, and prior exposure to pathology. Based on the survey findings, four interventions were developed: (1) a career information session with a guest speaker, (2) weekly interactive pathology quiz sessions, (3) a guided tour of the Pathology Integrated Learning Centre (IPLC), showcasing 5,000 pathology specimens, and (4) the establishment of a Pathology Interest Group to connect students with mentors and career resources.

Results
Out of approximately 900 students, 235 (26.1%) participated in the survey. The most influential factors in specialty selection were personal interest, patient interaction, work-life balance, and mentorship. Pathology ranked as the third least popular specialty, with interest negatively associated with the prioritization of patient interaction (p=0.007). A moderate positive association was found between satisfaction with pathology content delivery and interest in pursuing pathology (p=0.078). Post-intervention feedback revealed the career information session as the most impactful strategy, significantly enhancing students' understanding of the specialty.

Conclusions
Mentorship and lifestyle emerged as key drivers in shaping students' career interests. Engaging pathology mentors and featuring an early-career pathologist during the career session effectively addressed misconceptions about pathology and highlighted its work-life balance benefits. These targeted interventions successfully increased awareness and interest in pathology, offering a scalable model for addressing specialty shortages.