The career path in academic medicine is full of exciting opportunities as well as great achievements and discoveries. In this review, we discuss various obstacles that fellows face as they explore career opportunities in academic hematology/oncology. We also share thoughts on what might be considered steps for success in maneuvering through a search for the "right" position. We discuss several aims including how to define career goals early on, keys to success in an academic career, how to look for an academic job, successful points for the interview process, and how to negotiate a job offer. Finally, we discuss some roadblocks and limitations of academic careers and promotions. These limitations, frustrations and roadblocks should not be a deterrent from pursuing such a great role in the scientific field. This is a new generation of scientific discovery, improvement in healthcare and great advances in research.