Interview is it okay to state I didn't like research?

[santoukie]

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I have several (short term; max is 6month) research experiences. However, I learned that through researching, it isn't my cup of tea. Not to say I hate it, but I'd rather be doing patient interaction.

Is that okay to state in the interview? As I'm prepping I'm realizing I didn't enjoy research too much.


Thanks

 

[alwaysaangel]

I have several (short term; max is 6month) research experiences. However, I learned that through researching, it isn't my cup of tea. Not to say I hate it, but I'd rather be doing patient interaction.

Is that okay to state in the interview? As I'm prepping I'm realizing I didn't enjoy research too much.


Thanks

I'd go with "I tried bench research and it really didn't suit my interests, but I can't wait to try some clinical research during medical schools where I can learn the basics of research while still getting direct patient interaction."

 

[Decicco]

I don't think it is ever productive to say a negative thing in an interview. Surely you enjoyed/learned something, focus on that. You can still say that clinical medicine is more your thing.

 

[captaincbr]

I think both posters have a very valid point. However, I would investigate WHY you don't like research. You had the opportunity to work in multiple labs (I presume) but did you really make a significant contribution for each lab? It is difficult to get any work done within 6 months let along a publication. I'm assuming you only did some basic lab work like making buffers and such. Without any background, it's difficult to answer your question with some insightful critiques.

 

[Cinclus]

I'm a master's student with 3 years of research experience. My personal statement is going to revolve around what aspects of lab research I like, how those aspects are also present in medicine, but why lab research ultimately doesn't suit me, while medicine does (the difference in levels of human interaction). I'm making sure I don't say negative things about lab research, but I'm trying to make it clear why medicine suits me better.

 

[santoukie]

Ah that's so helpful! Thanks guys!

Yeah I would say I was more of a lab tech. To be honest I liked working with people more than being confined to a bench.

Maybe I'll go with the route on how I want to try out clinical research. Also I think I did learn a lot and for what it was worth I did enjoy it. However, I personally wouldn't want to make a career out of it.

Thanks Guys!

 

[motomed]

In both my application and interviews I mentioned that I didn't enjoy bench research at all. It can still be a valuable experience even if you hate it with a passion and you can still express understanding and gratitude for the field while talking about how it didn't appeal to you personally.

 

[rHinO1]

I have several (short term; max is 6month) research experiences. However, I learned that through researching, it isn't my cup of tea. Not to say I hate it, but I'd rather be doing patient interaction.

Is that okay to state in the interview? As I'm prepping I'm realizing I didn't enjoy research too much.


Thanks

Why would you say you don't like research and negate any benefit your experience may afford you?

 

[Monocles]

Ah that's so helpful! Thanks guys!

Yeah I would say I was more of a lab tech. To be honest I liked working with people more than being confined to a bench.

Maybe I'll go with the route on how I want to try out clinical research. Also I think I did learn a lot and for what it was worth I did enjoy it. However, I personally wouldn't want to make a career out of it.

Thanks Guys!

This is good, you should emphasize that you love working with people (patients) during your interview. This way you can spin your dislike for research into a positive experience (although I wouldn't just go out and say "I hated research").

Good luck! 🙂

 

[TOcho118]

It's funny, I had a similar situation to what you are describing. While interviewing at Jeff my interviewer asked me why I'd rather go here than to Penn. Kinda caught me off-guard so I spouted off something about how I'm not really that interested in research rankings and more interested in the clinical reputation.

Anyways, I got in so who knows?

 

[jsh52]

Ah that's so helpful! Thanks guys!

Yeah I would say I was more of a lab tech. To be honest I liked working with people more than being confined to a bench.

Maybe I'll go with the route on how I want to try out clinical research. Also I think I did learn a lot and for what it was worth I did enjoy it. However, I personally wouldn't want to make a career out of it.

Thanks Guys!

I was basically a lab tech before I went to grad school and I enjoyed it (but did not love it). But that said, being a lab tech is WAY different than being a researcher. When you are a researcher, you are the one driving the research and publishing original research articles. You aren't just making solutions and such. I wouldn't say you didn't enjoy it. In fact, I would just emphasize the positive and say you simply preferred and enjoyed your clinical experiences.