High Paying Gap Year Job

[masaraksh]

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I've been looking at hard science jobs with similar pay and almost all of them require phds, or at the least a masters. I agree with the sentiment that a higher intensity job would make the application process significantly more difficult.

That makes sense - PhD or Masters can show employers that you've done work in addition to your studies. My app was strong though - 4.0 in bio-org chem, 3 research gigs during ugrad, and a 8mo research fellowship post graduation.

Still, the job market for science BScs is very tough.

 

[bluedevski1992]

That makes sense - PhD or Masters can show employers that you've done work in addition to your studies. My app was strong though - 4.0 in bio-org chem, 3 research gigs during ugrad, and a 8mo research fellowship post graduation.

Still, the job market for science BScs is very tough.

Got you. Yeah, a job like that is probably slightly out of my reach, you were more qualified than I currently am. It is encouraging that you took the 35k job, though.

 

[masaraksh]

Well, being a chemist where I work with inorganics to research new materials for electronics is not something that jives well with my plan on going to med school.

 

[Avocado8]

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of job are you working (Consulting, some form of banking, marketing?) and what was your past experience. I (maybe incorrectly) assume that you didn't have too much relevant work experience entering the job, are you finding that you need to overcompensate and do many things on your own time to get by, or are you performing just fine? Lastly, I know the application process hasn't begun in full force, but do you think that you will be able to have enough time and flexibility to effectively apply?

Thanks a lot for your response

Tech side of consulting - I'll be implementing computer systems for other companies/clients (have not yet started). I have no relevant work experience (have done research in a couple labs and restaurant work). I'll do two weeks of training and then learn the rest on the job. From what I can tell, all of their new hires have some kind of science or tech degree but no direct experience. I anticipate having to do some outside work at first to stay on top of new skills, etc.

Re: Intensity of work vs application process: I start work end of July and will hopefully have most of my secondaries done by then. Scheduling interviews will be interesting but doable. I think I have enough vacation days to cover them; if not, I don't mind taking unpaid time off for a few days as I'm not looking for any Employee of the Year recognition... I find that being really busy makes me 100,000 times more productive (probably true for a lot of us premeds). I also wanted the high level of work intensity to distract me from the agonizing waiting game of AMCAS 😉

Hope that helps! Feel free to PM me with other questions or for more details.

 

[moop]

I agree -- you should do something medical related... you'll have a lot to talk about in interviews.

Doesn't have to be the case. Life experiences outside of medicine are just as important as those within the field.

 

[NYCNative]

Doesn't have to be the case. Life experiences outside of medicine are just as important as those within the field.

Sure, if he is going to work with orphans somewhere. I just don't thing that one year of consulting / waitering / any of the above suggested non-medical jobs will make him stand out to adcoms. Many of the most important prompts / interview questions relate to clinical experience. For an ordinary applicant without some crazy life story, you're better safe than sorry.

 

[moop]

Sure, if he is going to work with orphans somewhere. I just don't thing that one year of consulting / waitering / any of the above suggested non-medical jobs will make him stand out to adcoms. Many of the most important prompts / interview questions relate to clinical experience. For an ordinary applicant without some crazy life story, you're better safe than sorry.

I hate the "safe than sorry" argument. Premeds "playing it safe" are part of the problem why medical students and doctors are, on the majority, so closed off to the rest of the world. It also contributes to the premed mentality that everyone dislikes but continues feeding into with advice like that.

Trust me when I say that those who take the time to invest themselves in a gap year job that has nothing to do with med don't suffer a disadvantage, assuming they've already had clinical experience beforehand. Most people from my school do this, and still get into top programs all the time. Waitering might not make him stand out, but it is appreciated by committees who know you've had the life experience of doing a ****ty job to get by (straight from LizzyM). A legitimate job like consulting (which is probably not on the table for OP) or another white-collar job will not be frowned upon. The complete opposite is true: you will stand out immediately, most likely on the bright side.

 

[asw98]

You can apply to be a TA at Cornell's pre-med program in Qatar. It pays almost $40k and pays for almost all of your other expenses.

 

[b05010445]

Last time I checked, peeps at the VA were known for not working

That's the point 🙂

 

[ddukbokeeboi]

Got you. Yeah, a job like that is probably slightly out of my reach, you were more qualified than I currently am. It is encouraging that you took the 35k job, though.

I'm in a similar situation. Also graduated from a top 10 with a pretty useless degree in bio, and took a research coordinator position at a large academic hospital in Manhattan. Salary is similar at ~35k. Lived downtown. Went out on the weekends frequently.

All this to say, it's completely doable. Just get a ton of roommates, do your shopping at Trader Joe's (f*ck Whole Foods), and carry a flask with you whenever you go out. No, you won't save a dime, but hey, how much could you really save in one year?