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Objective  This study aimed to explore the effect of gender on medical students’ aspirations.

Methods  The study design included purposive sampling and interim data interpretation to guide recruitment of medical students with a wide spectrum of opinions. Data were collected through audio‐recorded, semi‐structured, in‐depth exploratory interviews, which were transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis was carried out by a female medical student researcher. Her evolving interpretation was constantly compared against the original data by male (doctor) and female (pharmacist) staff researchers in a systematic search for internal corroboration or disconfirmation. Causal associations consistently present in the data are reported.

Results  Six male and six female medical students in Years 3 and 4 shared a wish to achieve a work−life balance that allowed them to devote time to bringing up children while contributing …