Ideas for Gap semester

[bug123]

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Hi all!

I would really appreciate some advice for what I should do with the 6 months between graduating and starting medical school. The most important thing is that I am poor! Like literally just scraping by after interviews..

I feel bad looking and applying for jobs. I feel like I won't get hired if employers know I will be leaving in 6 months, but I can't not tell them that I will be going to medical school! I would love to have a good job for about 5 months and then travel/ spend time with family right before med school starts. Am I totally dreaming here?

I feel like I will never again have 6 months of my life to do whatever I want to do (non-medically related), yet due to funds I will likely spend it bored out of my mind in my parents basement working a boring job.

Any ideas? What type of jobs should I be aiming for/ is it realistic to look for full time work when I will be leaving?

Thanks a ton for any advice,

-Bug

 

[AlteredScale]

Hi all!

I would really appreciate some advice for what I should do with the 6 months between graduating and starting medical school. The most important thing is that I am poor! Like literally just scraping by after interviews..

I feel bad looking and applying for jobs. I feel like I won't get hired if employers know I will be leaving in 6 months, but I can't not tell them that I will be going to medical school! I would love to have a good job for about 5 months and then travel/ spend time with family right before med school starts. Am I totally dreaming here?

I feel like I will never again have 6 months of my life to do whatever I want to do (non-medically related), yet due to funds I will likely spend it bored out of my mind in my parents basement working a boring job.

Any ideas? What type of jobs should I be aiming for/ is it realistic to look for full time work when I will be leaving?

Thanks a ton for any advice,

-Bug

I'm in the SAME predicament as you! I think you can apply to jobs at a university because they know it's temporary work perhaps? That's what I've been doing!

What kind of job entails working in you parents basement?! 😳 sounds scary!

 

[LuluMed]

Hi all!

I would really appreciate some advice for what I should do with the 6 months between graduating and starting medical school. The most important thing is that I am poor! Like literally just scraping by after interviews..

I feel bad looking and applying for jobs. I feel like I won't get hired if employers know I will be leaving in 6 months, but I can't not tell them that I will be going to medical school! I would love to have a good job for about 5 months and then travel/ spend time with family right before med school starts. Am I totally dreaming here?

I feel like I will never again have 6 months of my life to do whatever I want to do (non-medically related), yet due to funds I will likely spend it bored out of my mind in my parents basement working a boring job.

Any ideas? What type of jobs should I be aiming for/ is it realistic to look for full time work when I will be leaving?

Thanks a ton for any advice,

-Bug

Well - I am in a full gap year right now. I was originally working two jobs - one medically related for a talking point during interviews and one just for fun. It became a pain trying to balance schedules so I have just backed down to the fun one. I don't make enough money to live on my own. So, I am at my parents house - it's actually amazing because I have no expenses except building a new wardrobe and going out with friends.
Right now, a lot of places are beginning to hire people for seasonal work, if you can get in with one of them for during winter break and just work really hard, you could be able to be hired for a regular position. Particularly with retail, there is A LOT of turnover with employees so it shouldn't be too hard to find a position (starbucks even could be fun - all of the free coffee and treats)

 

[baxt1412]

does your college have summer residents? if so, you may be able to be a summer RA.

also, if push comes to shove, bag groceries or work in a restaurant for a few months. they have a ton of turnover anyway and you aren't legally bound to anything unless you sign a contract.

either that or a summer camp, etc.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

If its 6 months I sugguest you do smoething fun. Because applying to jobs doesnt happen overnight. You will have to wait a month or so depending on the job. Secondly, like you said there aren't any worthwhile jobs you can really do in 6 months. If you want to make money then maybe working at a grocery store might be the easiest thing. But have fun, go on a road trip, read novels, and watch movies.

 

[Cadaverous]

This is going to sound totally random, but get a work visa and go find seasonal work on farms in New Zealand! I did this while taking a gap year in the middle of college, and it was an amazing experience. It is their summer during our winter, and there are so many people from all the world doing this! You'll meet great people, and make a little money to live in a truly amazing place. Just type in "work abroad new zealand" into google, I went through a a program called Interexchange. Just a thought!

 

[AlteredScale]

Well - I am in a full gap year right now. I was originally working two jobs - one medically related for a talking point during interviews and one just for fun. It became a pain trying to balance schedules so I have just backed down to the fun one. I don't make enough money to live on my own. So, I am at my parents house - it's actually amazing because I have no expenses except building a new wardrobe and going out with friends.
Right now, a lot of places are beginning to hire people for seasonal work, if you can get in with one of them for during winter break and just work really hard, you could be able to be hired for a regular position. Particularly with retail, there is A LOT of turnover with employees so it shouldn't be too hard to find a position (starbucks even could be fun - all of the free coffee and treats)

After being there for almost 7 years, I can attest that it isn't fun as much as it does look like it from the outside-in. 🙁

 

[LuluMed]

After being there for almost 7 years, I can attest that it isn't fun as much as it does look like it from the outside-in. 🙁

haha fair enough, I've never worked there - but I had a friend that did who says exactly the same thing. But - it cant be too horrible for 6mo or so!

 

[AlteredScale]

haha fair enough, I've never worked there - but I had a friend that did who says exactly the same thing. But - it cant be too horrible for 6mo or so!

Haha no temporary is fine and it is fun during the holidays because it's so busy and everyone orders the same thing (peppermint mocha, Carmel brûlée latte, etc) and best of all no one order frappuchinos!

 

[jsmith522]

Find all the nickels and dimes you can scrounge up and travel. Take that time and enjoy life. No school or anything even remotely close to that to give your brain a break. You worked hard to this point enjoy life. If I didn't have a family depending on me, I would be in India or Bhutan walking in the hills (life long dream) also because my money can go further there.
But, mostly have fun!!!! Life is going to be much different starting in August.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Enjoy life while you can.

Work out a lot, eat your favorite foods, do things that you love.

 

[deleted407021]

I'll have a 20 month gap and I'm thinking of working as a high school substitute science teacher. The money is good and you can control when you work + I already tutor, so it would be like getting payed to do that.

 

[Bokeh]

I am fully enjoying not setting an alarm clock, watching a lot on Netflix, being outdoors, and working out every day. I'd like to pick up a good book to read (suggestions anyone?), and I want to travel somewhere in the spring.

 

[deleted407021]

I am fully enjoying not setting an alarm clock, watching a lot on Netflix, being outdoors, and working out every day. I'd like to pick up a good book to read (suggestions anyone?), and I want to travel somewhere in the spring.

What are you into?

 

[jsmith522]

I am fully enjoying not setting an alarm clock, watching a lot on Netflix, being outdoors, and working out every day. I'd like to pick up a good book to read (suggestions anyone?), and I want to travel somewhere in the spring.

I am with ya on a book. I just started to read a collection of pulp fictions from the 20s and 30s. Good mindless reading where I can let the old noggin wonder.

 

[Bokeh]

What are you into?

Ha ha, I don't have too many to start with so I am pretty open.

I am with ya on a book. I just started to read a collection of pulp fictions from the 20s and 30s. Good mindless reading where I can let the old noggin wonder.

Time well spent.

 

[deleted407021]

Ha ha, I don't have too many to start with so I am pretty open.

Time well spent.

If you'd like to try fantasy, the Iron Tower Trilogy is a great place to start, and if you get hooked, I'd recommend The Belgariad, an awesome epic with a huge world built around it.