Can I have a simple retail job after my degree finishes while I'm applying?

[Winterpegger]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Applied to Canadian schoos last year, rejected. Now I'm done my degree and applying again this year.

My question is whether a crappy retail job is OK this year while I am applying or whether I have to have some kind of research or health-related or anything non-entry level in order to show that I'm not wasting my time this year. I have a psychology degree and those are quite useless for getting jobs. I don't mind entry-level, simple work and quite enjoy it but I don't know if that will hurt my application or if they'll even care, since applications are due so soon anyway.

I had a hospital emergency dept job before (for 3 years) but I just moved to a new city and want to start working ASAP.

 

[Electronegative]

You need to get a job in health and clinically related fields, it will be an improvement to your application from last cycle.

 

[BigRedder]

I don't think a random job will make it look like you are wasting your time, especially in this economic climate. It won't improve your application, but it shouldn't detract from it. If you can't find something health or science related, it will certainly be better than doing nothing.

 

[gettheleadout]

It would definitely be best to get a medical/clinical job if possible, and hopefully you can use the experience from your last hospital job to get another one. If you do end up with an unrelated job you should get more clinical volunteering in at the same time.

 

[whoop]

If you can get a job in the health field that would be good, but first find something to pay the bills, support yourself and pay off student loans.

 

[wingiv]

Working an entry-level retail job doesn't usually take all your time. Just do it, if it is what you want to do, and possibly just work in the hospital on your spare time to improve your app a little bit. Nothing wrong with having some fun with your life during your gap year.

 

[Evergrey]

I am going to go against the grain on this, and I am going to do it adamantly. I implore you, please don't listen to anyone who tells you that you "need" to work in science or health. Any job looks a lot better than no job.

Moreover, I would argue that a retail job is almost as good as a research or clinical job. A crappy job (like working in retail) is an important experience for building character and understanding how a job like that is actually harder than more interesting/fulfilling work. In fact, I think people should be required to work in a crappy job before they go on to professional school. It is extraordinarily humbling (and illuminating) when you realize that your cerebral skills count for very, very little in the real world. It also makes you a lot more grateful that you even have the opportunity to pursue a career as cool as medicine.

At least, those are the realizations I had after working several very thoroughly unenjoyable jobs. Your mileage may vary.

I will concede though that if you can't get a job that is medically related, you should still involve yourself in that realm somehow -- preferably through volunteering.

 

[Barcu]

Certainly a health-related job would be preferable, but you can have a simple retail job.

Just remember 2 things:

1. Be prepared to talk about your job. It may seem like a trivial job, but I heard an admissions rep say that she didn't mind jobs like this. However, the applicant should be able to talk about what they LEARNED from the job. Treat it as an experience to come up with good interview stories about leadership or collaboration or some other factor medical schools like to look for.

2. Keep volunteering in the medical field. You have to stay up-to-date with your clinical experience. It doesn't have to be a job, but you have to maintain clinical experience.

As long as you do that, you should be fine. A retail job is better than no job for sure.

 

[NHBPFA5]

I graduated, and then am off to an SMP elsewhere. So I'm going to be in one spot for 2.5 months this summer.... no one wanted to hire me, no one wanted to even bring me on as a volunteer. After a ton of calling around, a hospice office took me in as a volunteer. I do filing... and make packets. But it was at least an effort I showed to try and give to the healthcare field. IDK if this helps you at all lol... but I'd at least try and devote some time to medicine. There's gotta be something out there, but like it was said before, I don't think it could detract from your app. You're still doing something.

 

[ReptarBar]

whichever makes more money. im tired of people faking their interest in medicine to no end...dont be like them.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

A job is a job. It pays your rent and food. An adcom on here once said that customer service related jobs are good. After all, being a physician involves customer service. When you subtract out all the lovey-dovey, flowery, pre-med nonsense... patients = customers.

 

[Poliscidoc]

whichever makes more money. im tired of people faking their interest in medicine to no end...dont be like them.

Amen

You don't NEED to have a job in a medically related field. Find one where you have a good schedule and where you can make the most money.

 

[mvenus929]

What was your biggest weakness in your application? If it was clinical experience (doesn't sound like it was, but I don't know what your whole application looks like), then getting a clinical job would be best, because you can make money while improving your application. That said, if you're only going to be there for a month before starting interviews, it won't do you much good.

If you don't lack clinical experience, feel free to get a job wherever you want, just be sure to do something to improve your application on the side.