HELP: Research vs. EMT

[fashionrebel]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I just finished my freshman year at a state school in PA and was originally going to spend the summer at the same school getting EMT-B certified. However, I just received an email from a grad student at Harvard offering me a part time research position on a study of a well-known professor there. Which should I do?!
Also, is it more beneficial to have research experience at your own university than at an outside university, even if it is Harvard?
Any help is appreciated, as I'm a little confused!

 

[silverhorse84]

What were you planning on doing with your EMTB certification? Is it difficult for EMTB's to get a job in your area? If the answer to the second question is yes, then I'd go with the research position. If you're considering working on an ambulance, then you might want to contact the local companies and ask about any age requirements (my company only hired people older than 21 because it meant lower insurance payments for drivers, and I'm guessing you're younger than that).
If it's not difficult to get a job as an EMTB then I suggest doing what would be more interesting/fun for you.

I didn't do research, so I can't answer the question about your school vs. outside school.

 

[senorsquishie]

I was origionally going to say EMT (I am a bit Bias). But I would go for the reseach in this case. Who knows if you will have that chance again? EMT will still be there next summer, or even fall semester!

 

[Dannyw]

research gig at harvard vs: being certified to be a glorified taxi driver

EMT-B no question

 

[deleted393595]

I just finished my freshman year at a state school in PA and was originally going to spend the summer at the same school getting EMT-B certified. However, I just received an email from a grad student at Harvard offering me a part time research position on a study of a well-known professor there. Which should I do?!
Also, is it more beneficial to have research experience at your own university than at an outside university, even if it is Harvard?
Any help is appreciated, as I'm a little confused!

EMT-B. Most med school students don't have research and it's not as important as it's made out to be. It's always a plus, but you'll gain more experience and talking points out of your EMT work, which is one of the most exciting jobs in medicine (imho).

 

[AlmostJesus]

Research, the EMT-B is a 130 hour certification, you could get that in a month and the jobs are hard to come by. Do the research this summer, become an EMT-B at night or next summer.

 

[KTownGT]

Have you read any of the professor/grad students work? Does it interest you at all?

Will you be a lab monkey, or will you be allowed(maybe) to grab a pub/abstract/poster out of it?

 

[CoolWhipp]

research trumps emt

 

[Propylene]

This is coming from a current emt; I would go with the research in your situation, if it had to be one or another.

 

[gettheleadout]

I just finished my freshman year at a state school in PA and was originally going to spend the summer at the same school getting EMT-B certified. However, I just received an email from a grad student at Harvard offering me a part time research position on a study of a well-known professor there. Which should I do?!
Also, is it more beneficial to have research experience at your own university than at an outside university, even if it is Harvard?
Any help is appreciated, as I'm a little confused!

It doesn't matter where you do your research.

 

[fashionrebel]

Thanks for the answers you guys!! I think I'm leaning towards the research... My only concern is that it's part time, so perhaps I could take a course or something at Harvard?

I'm not sure about the "lab-monkey" vs "publication" business... That's a valid point I hadn't thought of and I think I should double-check on my actual responsibilities in the lab.

Also, how closely does research need to be related to my degree?? The research is in biopsych and I'm majoring in molecular bio and political science.

 

[oanjiwks]

Thanks for the answers you guys!! I think I'm leaning towards the research... My only concern is that it's part time, so perhaps I could take a course or something at Harvard?

I'm not sure about the "lab-monkey" vs "publication" business... That's a valid point I hadn't thought of and I think I should double-check on my actual responsibilities in the lab.

Also, how closely does research need to be related to my degree?? The research is in biopsych and I'm majoring in molecular bio and political science.

I would definitely say do the research (seems like a good opportunity). If you have time after completing the research, think about the EMT-B cert. They both helped me. Beyond getting you to an interview, they're both something to talk about that sets you apart.

A few things about the research: 1. If you have a decent reason for doing the research, it shouldn't really matter how well its related to your degree. 2. Make sure you are motivated enough to invest the time and really learn what you are researching (because it's something they'll most likely probe you about at an interview). 3. If you want to REALLY be a gunner, follow it up with a related elective/project that shows long term commitment.

As far as the EMT-B goes, I volunteered for 3 years during breaks, then 1 full year paid/volunteer. The volunteer 911 experience gave me so much to talk about in my interviews, and I really think it made the difference for me. Plus I can't think of many better patient contact experiences. You can always pursue this at a later time.

Hope this helps.

 

[motomed]

most EMT's will overstate the benefit being an EMT provided them during their application. basically all it really amounts to though is that they have used that route to check off the "clinical experience" box. and truthfully, if everything they do is prehospital work, it's far more irrelevant that most other peoples' clinical experience. being really cool, wearing your uniform around and being mistaken for a medic (the guys that actually do stuff...), having awesome stories, and generally really enjoying it means basically nothing for an application. I've known just as many EMT's who get a bad vibe from interviewers for being an adrenaline junky as I've known EMT's who actually go on to med school.

a research experience at harvard coming out of your freshman year, on the other hand, would be something that could potentially be very valuable to you moving forward. go there, work your ass off, live in the lab, get your name on things.

 

[tommy pickles]

I'm a volunteer Firefighter-EMT for a career/volunteer fire and rescue company, and my partner (a career firemedic) and I are usually the first on scene for ALS calls. I've delivered two babies, worked more codes and traumas than I can count, and have learned how to take histories and vitals and stabilize patients under high-stress conditions. I don't know anyone that would call that irrelevant clinical experience...

OP, do what you feel will ultimately give you the most satisfaction. An EMT cert is absolutely worthless if you don't do anything with it, so don't waste your time if that's what you plan to do. The experiences you can have from actually putting in the time and working or volunteering in fire/ems, however, are extremely rewarding. Just be aware that your experiences alone aren't going to get you in to med school. Do what makes you happy.

 

[motomed]

I'm a volunteer Firefighter-EMT for a career/volunteer fire and rescue company, and my partner (a career firemedic) and I are usually the first on scene for ALS calls. I've delivered two babies, worked more codes and traumas than I can count, and have learned how to take histories and vitals and stabilize patients under high-stress conditions. I don't know anyone that would call that irrelevant clinical experience...

that's great, but adcoms want to know that you understand what physicians do, not career fire/medics... I'm not knocking what you do, I've worked on the ER side for many years, and even that, when I regularly interact with physicians, was discredited severely during most of my interviews. I've had many friends who are themselves career fire/medic guys told to go get more relevant clinical experience after they get rejected. if you think this is going to be your magic bullet to get you into med school, you're wrong. it's great clinical experience and will serve you well when it comes time to interact with patients in med school, but in terms of admissions, it's clinical experience that is less relevant than the clinical experiences that most people will have that put them in the hospital/clinic interacting with physicians. you can believe me now and get some additional clinical experience or you can wait until you hear it during interviews or followup with schools.

 

[Propylene]

that's great, but adcoms want to know that you understand what physicians do, not career fire/medics... I'm not knocking what you do, I've worked on the ER side for many years, and even that, when I regularly interact with physicians, was discredited severely during most of my interviews. I've had many friends who are themselves career fire/medic guys told to go get more relevant clinical experience after they get rejected. if you think this is going to be your magic bullet to get you into med school, you're wrong. it's great clinical experience and will serve you well when it comes time to interact with patients in med school, but in terms of admissions, it's clinical experience that is less relevant than the clinical experiences that most people will have that put them in the hospital/clinic interacting with physicians. you can believe me now and get some additional clinical experience or you can wait until you hear it during interviews or followup with schools.

I wouldn't do EMT for the clinical experience, more for the fact that you enjoy the work. It definitely is not a clear look into the daily work of a physician, you should still shadow doctors, and spend some time in a strictly clinical environment. That being being said, I would not say that doing something you enjoy means "basically nothing" on an application. Every experience is what you make of it.

 

[shaggy alfresco]

EMT-B. Most med school students don't have research and it's not as important as it's made out to be. It's always a plus, but you'll gain more experience and talking points out of your EMT work, which is one of the most exciting jobs in medicine (imho).

No.

Do research.

 

[tommy pickles]

I wouldn't do EMT for the clinical experience, more for the fact that you enjoy the work. It definitely is not a clear look into the daily work of a physician, you should still shadow doctors, and spend some time in a strictly clinical environment. That being being said, I would not say that doing something you enjoy means "basically nothing" on an application. Every experience is what you make of it.

^ this

 

[wavewheel]

Why not do both? If the research gig is part time, it would be pretty reasonable to also take an EMT class at a community college in the Boston area over the summer.

 

[EMTDoc]

Here is my take on the matter.....

EMT - Offers great patient interaction, but anyone can be an EMT after 2 semesters and no felony charges, not anyone can do research. EMT's mostly follow protocols which requires little critical thinking. I am not knocking EMTs, I am one, all I am saying is that the only benefit of being an EMT is the exposure, not the position itself. Yes you do learn some things about medicine, but our EMS Physician said it perfectly, "[as an EMT] you don't know what you don't know..." And all you know is protocols, so your knowledge of 'medicine' is really limited. Paramedics on the other hand, do use critical thinking skills more than EMTs.

Research - If you are not just a lab monkey and truly involved as an integral part then it shows that you have critical thinking skills. I think that this is what most med schools are looking for: you have a brain, you can use it, and you can think critically. So if your involvement in research reaffirms these points then it is worth it.

Bottom line, either one is a good choice, but for different reasons. So ultimately it depends on what you think is/will be lacking on your application, patient exposure or demonstrating that you can think critically (although the MCAT should test this).

 

[senorsquishie]

Here is my take on the matter.....

EMT - Offers great patient interaction, but anyone can be an EMT after 2 semesters and no felony charges, not anyone can do research. EMT's mostly follow protocols which requires little critical thinking. I am not knocking EMTs, I am one, all I am saying is that the only benefit of being an EMT is the exposure, not the position itself. Yes you do learn some things about medicine, but our EMS Physician said it perfectly, "[as an EMT] you don't know what you don't know..." And all you know is protocols, so your knowledge of 'medicine' is really limited. Paramedics on the other hand, do use critical thinking skills more than EMTs.

Research - If you are not just a lab monkey and truly involved as an integral part then it shows that you have critical thinking skills. I think that this is what most med schools are looking for: you have a brain, you can use it, and you can think critically. So if your involvement in research reaffirms these points then it is worth it.

Bottom line, either one is a good choice, but for different reasons. So ultimately it depends on what you think is/will be lacking on your application, patient exposure or demonstrating that you can think critically (although the MCAT should test this).

Being an EMT-B myself I cannot agree more. My instructor once said "I can teach a onkey to stablize".

I is actually very dissappointing to me that we are just following a formula of medicine. History of asthma+ difficulty breathing+ wheezing= Call med con and see if we can assist with their inhaler. Then again that is one of the reasons why I want to be a doctor. Thinking is nice

 

[jtdMU2010]

I did 3.5 years of undergraduate research at my undergrad institution. I definitely got a lot out of it as far as organization, understanding how a lab operates and applying knowledge from the classroom. That being said, it did nothing to further my interest in medicine nor demonstrated my interest in medicine in any particular way. I also obtained my EMT-B certification during undergrad but never worked as one. I was told by my pre-med committee that simply having EMT-B isn't really impressive anymore...you have to work as one for it to be beneficial. I think research at Harvard with a reputable professor definitely outweighs the EMT-B. You can get EMT-B anytime (even in two weeks in Indiana). Get some research experience now why you have the chance and then focus on some more clinical exposure later this year. Hope this thread helps!

 

[BenUstudent]

Go with research. Even if you get your EMT-B, it is really hard to find a paying job (pending where you live)

 

[Barcu]

EMT-B. Most med school students don't have research and it's not as important as it's made out to be. It's always a plus, but you'll gain more experience and talking points out of your EMT work, which is one of the most exciting jobs in medicine (imho).

Nope. The majority do nowadays and research is pretty much a requirement if you want to go to a top tier school (80-90% do).

Do the research. It would be easier to go back and do an EMT after the research if you really want to do that.

 

[MetabolismASE]

Research