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So I just finished my 6 month contract as a data analyst and was not re-hired, and am looking to move back with family (much love to today's economy). So I will be moving states and can start fresh on all activities.

So my biggest question is what job should I focus on to try to get next in my job hunt? I am looking to get a job as a Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Research Assistant, or a job which not many premeds tend to do (CS/data analyst jobs. Initially I was trying to pursue this field but switched to premed during undergrad. Mainly want to do this since it pays better and can save a lot more to pay for med schools and take less debt).

A quick background about me is that I've volunteered as hospice PCA during my undergrad for almost 2.5 years (about 400-500 hours now i think?). My other clinical experience includes 6 month volunteering as a MA (about 150 hours now)

I have done 2 years of research involving medicine and CS (about 300 hours and a presentation at my undergrad symposium, no pubs). Not sure if I should pursue a job as a research assistant. If yes, should I remain in this CS + Med research or try to diversify and seek opportunities in different fields such as biochem, epid, or even non-medical related fields?

I am also looking into data analyst roles. I dont know how this experience is perceived by adcoms, however, one of the main reason I am considering this is to help finance medical school.

Other aspects of my application is good. 3.9X GPA and high 50X MCAT. Only place I would say my application is lacking is non-clinical volunteering. So right now my main focus is to rewrite MCAT and get more non-clinical volunteering. I am also ORM, and applied this year and have only 1 II currently (waiting for a decision).

I would love to hear all of your thoughts on what job to pursue next as well as if any of you all have any other recommendations for jobs that I did not list that I should try to pursue 🙂

Thank you in advance!

Why do you think your contract was not renewed? (The economy, not a good fit at the job, other reason?) It’s not super important for this discussion but it may come up in future interviews if they see that job on your CV.

I would say patient care experience is going to serve you better. This could come in the form of a PCA but other jobs to consider: EKG technician, scribe, anesthesia technician, etc.