Glide Year

[JBone87]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey Everyone,

I'm thinking about going full time to finish my pre-regs for med school, but I'm concerned about what to do during the glide year/application cycle. Would anyone be willing to share their own plans or what they've done with the glide year? I have a degree in accounting but am concerned that I won't be able to get a job during that year because I'll have to tell my employer that I'm applying to med school. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[peacefuljourney]

I don't really see why you have to tell your employer you are applying. Why?

 

[JBone87]

I don't really see why you have to tell your employer you are applying. Why?

I guess it wouldn't be entirely necessary to tell them. Although I think it would eventually come up at some point, like when I'd have to take days off for interviews (hopefully).

 

[DrMidlife]

If you can leave your current employer on good terms, they might have a one-year opportunity for you. Depending on where you live, you can get contract or temp work. Personally I'm hoping to do a lot of travel and a little bit of work during my glide year, which means I'll be living and travelling as cheaply as I can. Also, for me, the career I'm leaving isn't worth the money to go back unless I absolutely have to, so I'm looking into EMT and other options.

I don't really see why you have to tell your employer you are applying. Why?

Long list of reasons, such as wanting to be a responsible, mature professional. Even if you're flipping burgers, you can flip burgers like a future physician. It's icky to not communicate to an employer that your clock runs out after a year, if they're making any investment in you, and if you want to maintain a network. Lying is exhausting. If all goes well, you need to be able to fly off to med school interviews during your glide year. You never know when you're going to want a good reference; also you have to list contact info for every job you've ever had on the AMCAS app, and if you don't get in first year...

 

[TypeA]

What about contract work? That way, neither one of you is tied in and they don't feel that they are losing money on their investment.

 

[JBone87]

What about contract work? That way, neither one of you is tied in and they don't feel that they are losing money on their investment.

Contract work is a great idea. I hadn't really thought of that. Thanks TypeA and DrMidLife. Anyone else care to share your ideas or what you've done for the glide year?

 

[peacefuljourney]

Hi,

I was just thinking of contract work. It is a good idea. Temp agencies might also work well for you. There are professional temp agencies out there. Also, firms like Deloitte and KPMG hire employees all the time - esp. during their peak seasons when there just isn't enough manpower to go around.

Just to clarify, I don't advocate lying at all. Still, for the reasons one of our colleagues suggested earlier, you want to maintain good relationships. At the same time, if you are on the street looking for work, I don't think that full disclosure is necessary at this point or helpful to you. i.e. you may not get in to meds AND you won't get a job.

After you've secured a position and have proven yourself for a few months, then you could reveal your plans. I just think that if you show your cards up front then you greatly reduce your chances of being hired in the first place. I've worked at the Director level and I wouldn't hire someone I knew wouldn't be there in a few months, year whatever. Of course, be fair to the employer but you need to get a job first.

The closest example I can think of is pregnancy. Let's say I'm female and of childbearing age. I plan to have children within the next 2 years. That is not something I would say to the employer before I'm hired. After I'm pregnant and past the 3 month mark then I think it's fair and right to reveal my situation - to plan for succession, training, replacement etc.

Anyhow, best of luck. Keep going with your plans. Tough to change paths. Good for you! 🙂 S-

 

[MDDOWhatever]

Hey Everyone,

I'm thinking about going full time to finish my pre-regs for med school, but I'm concerned about what to do during the glide year/application cycle. Would anyone be willing to share their own plans or what they've done with the glide year? I have a degree in accounting but am concerned that I won't be able to get a job during that year because I'll have to tell my employer that I'm applying to med school. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

I quit my programming job once I was about done with school and MCAT, the summer I applied, and went contract. This allowed me the freedom to be able to fly around and interview. Better money too, plus maybe the chance to set up some offsite situations and even work a little bit during med school if time allows. Hard to beat that kind of hourly wage when you'll be making absolutely nothing, otherwise, during school.

Even if you do take a different fulltime job, there is nothing that says you have to disclose to anyone that you are heading off to med school. It's none of their gd business. If they were anticipating layoffs in a year, do you really think they'd disclose that to you? Highly doubtful. In most states, they can fire you as quickly as they hire you. Just do what you agree to do for them... work hard, and they get their money's worth while they have you. Nothing else about your life is any of their concern.