Advice for Post-graduation

[neilpryde21]

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So I'm graduating in May and applying to medical school this summer. Next year I plan on joining Community Healthcorp which starts the very beginning of September. In that time between May and the end of August, I've been trying to figure out something to do in that time. I already have a vacation planned with some friends right after graduation and I find that I get very bored over the summer if I am not actively doing something. So far each summer since freshman year I've done bench research at my school and this past summer, I spent a good portion studying for my MCAT as well

I was debating applying to some summer research program to gain a little more research experience before/while applying to medical school (already have 2+ years but I really like research) since obviously I won't be doing any lab work while working for Americorp but I've only come across a couple of programs for students who have graduated college but are not enrolled in a post-bac program. I've also thought about even taking some summer courses but haven't looked too much into this option yet. Shadowing is another option that I have thought about doing although I should have already a good amount by spring (100+) or even getting CNA certified (don't know if this could help while working for Healthcorp).

Does anyone one have some suggestions on other things I can be doing during that summer gap that I have before starting my term with the Healthcorp?

 

[Essene]

Going the Americorp route is my plan (post bacc) as well.
I understand the yearning to be involved in something (whether scholastic or otherwise inclined). I am the same way. A brain at rest is just like the rest...

I know you will already have duties with AC; but many people have mentioned being a medical scribe (specifically an ER one). It sounds interesting; but also time consuming especially if you're already devoting your time to volunteer efforts. Since you're a certified CNA- you may want to look into getting your phlebotomy cert. as well. I doubt you'll be pulling lines while performing various tasks; but any certifications helps. My sister is a registered CNA with a phlebotomy cert as well. Her focus is education. She is a very valued member of the teaching staff, not only for her dedication to teaching but also because, if anything immediate happens they can turn to her (they being the kids and the fellow teachers).

 

[neilpryde21]

Going the Americorp route is my plan (post bacc) as well.
I understand the yearning to be involved in something (whether scholastic or otherwise inclined). I am the same way. A brain at rest is just like the rest...

I know you will already have duties with AC; but many people have mentioned being a medical scribe (specifically an ER one). It sounds interesting; but also time consuming especially if you're already devoting your time to volunteer efforts. Since you're a certified CNA- you may want to look into getting your phlebotomy cert. as well. I doubt you'll be pulling lines while performing various tasks; but any certifications helps. My sister is a registered CNA with a phlebotomy cert as well. Her focus is education. She is a very valued member of the teaching staff, not only for her dedication to teaching but also because, if anything immediate happens they can turn to her (they being the kids and the fellow teachers).

I'm actually not a CNA, sorry if that wasn't clear. I am thinking about getting CNA certified during that time as one of my options. Thanks for the advice though. I agree that getting certified certainly wouldn't do any harm. I'm just wondering what other people have done the summer after college. I've also been thinking about trying to teach for Kaplan or Princeton Review as something I can do during my off-time during the year to make some extra money since I won't be making much doing Americorp.