In the current era of surgical training, junior doctors spend years in service provision roles without a formal training appointment or job security. One-third of Surgical Education and Training (SET) applicants succeed. This study aims to understand pre-SET doctors' challenges in pursuing surgical training. An anonymous REDCAP survey was distributed to pre-SETs at all Victorian hospitals between September 2024 and January 2025. Descriptive statistics and qualitative responses were collated. This study received ethics approval (HREC 2023-28376-47455-1). Participants were predominantly female (56%), aged 26-35 (82%), and postgraduate year four or more (67%). A third of participants undertook weekly protected teaching, and 53% received no effective feedback – reporting that formal supervisors and specific feedback can aid in feeling lost in the system. Pre-SETs worked a median of 66 (30-100) hours per week, and 65% undertook surgical research. 79% of participants have considered alternative career pathways, but just 15% discussed this with their surgical mentors. Participants report their journey to SET and the annual job application season “lacks transparency” and is “taking over our lives”. Short-term competitive contracts and no formal training impact their psychosocial (74%) and financial (55%) well-being. The SER2VE study results are concerning. The pre-SET experience was described as “isolating” and “one of loss”. Participants identified several practical strategies for improvement at an individual and institutional level while formal training pathways are reconsidered. Effective feedback, formal education, mentorship, and support for career security and progression are essential for meaningful improving the quality of pre-SET training.