Is it possible to have a P/T job while in med school and do well?

[Medee]

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I was just wondering from current med students if you worked part-time during medical school? Nothing much, just like 5-10hrs/week. I was thinking about either working for Kaplan or perhaps lifeguarding at a pool for some extra spending money.

Is this unrealistic/risky? I like having a structure to my schedule. While in college I juggled between academics majoring in electrical engineering, volunteering and competing for a Division I track and field team and my grades didn't suffer from it. My concern is that medical school obviously is not the same as undergrad so I don't want to work p/t if it might harm me. Honestly though, I can't imagine like 6-8hrs/ spread out over the whole week taking away that much from studying. One does need somewhat of a break from school just to give the brain some time to relax right?

Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[megadon]

Sure it's POSSIBLE, just difficult. I would look for a job where you can study a lot. I was Mech E, it doesn't prepare you for med school. At least I understand flow (circulation). However EE in my opinion doesn't prepare you for much except action potential. Maybe you're the guy who gets it in no time, so you can work (minority), or maybe you're going to have the bust your butt twice as hard. I say that cause they say it's science, but what they really mean is that you have to learn how this works (not hard), and the names of everything involved (hard). Basic Science learning = memorization. Basic Science acronym, BS. My advice, go to school for a block or two and figure out if you can devote the time to another job.

 

[Vano]

You can do it, with good time management skills you can work even more.

 

[dutchman]

I was just wondering from current med students if you worked part-time during medical school? Nothing much, just like 5-10hrs/week. I was thinking about either working for Kaplan or perhaps lifeguarding at a pool for some extra spending money.

Is this unrealistic/risky? I like having a structure to my schedule. While in college I juggled between academics majoring in electrical engineering, volunteering and competing for a Division I track and field team and my grades didn't suffer from it. My concern is that medical school obviously is not the same as undergrad so I don't want to work p/t if it might harm me. Honestly though, I can't imagine like 6-8hrs/ spread out over the whole week taking away that much from studying. One does need somewhat of a break from school just to give the brain some time to relax right?

Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

My friend works in medschool, and claims the job helps him study more, since the job is very sedentary with lots of downtime. So he has nothing to do but study, and get paid for it. So I guess it depends on the nature of the job. I'll like to see him pull it off in his third year though.

 

[MSKalltheway]

I wouldnt suggest starting med school with a job. I know people who do it and do fine, but how fine or how difficult is another question. I also suggest doing it for a couple months, see how you do, then make a move on it. I caution you though, things will change from year to year. Just because you can do it first year, doesnt mean that you can second year (since second year generally requires much more study time and class time as well). Third and fourth year is pretty much out of the question, unless you do it on the weekends, and even then it depends on your rotation! So I'd just be careful and know the flow of things each year BEFORE you commit to a job...

 

[Law2Doc]

I wouldnt suggest starting med school with a job. I know people who do it and do fine, but how fine or how difficult is another question. I also suggest doing it for a couple months, see how you do, then make a move on it. I caution you though, things will change from year to year. Just because you can do it first year, doesnt mean that you can second year (since second year generally requires much more study time and class time as well). Third and fourth year is pretty much out of the question, unless you do it on the weekends, and even then it depends on your rotation! So I'd just be careful and know the flow of things each year BEFORE you commit to a job...

Strongly agree with this. Start with nothing. Then after a few exams if you find you have the time, feel free to take on other things. Some people have no problem adding jobs, research, ECs, others can't. You need to find out how easy or hard med school is going to be for you.

 

[Noeljan]

I was just wondering from current med students if you worked part-time during medical school? Nothing much, just like 5-10hrs/week. I was thinking about either working for Kaplan or perhaps lifeguarding at a pool for some extra spending money.

Is this unrealistic/risky? I like having a structure to my schedule. While in college I juggled between academics majoring in electrical engineering, volunteering and competing for a Division I track and field team and my grades didn't suffer from it. My concern is that medical school obviously is not the same as undergrad so I don't want to work p/t if it might harm me. Honestly though, I can't imagine like 6-8hrs/ spread out over the whole week taking away that much from studying. One does need somewhat of a break from school just to give the brain some time to relax right?

Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hey there classmate🙂
I teach MCAT for Princeton review right now, and it's a lot of work (more than you would think). We have to make all our own lessons, notes, everything. It turns out to be a lot more than the hours of just teaching. I am pretty sure I am done with it after the next three weeks.

 

[Trooth]

You are putting down 30-40k for school....
Toughen up and eat TacoBell with the rest of your classmates... 😛

......or if your fantastically time blessed then get a job but med school is a lot more work than people told me...tons more than I expected. In my humble opinion I could not do it - but I am sure there are people out there that can and do.

 

[GuzzyRon]

I wouldnt suggest starting med school with a job. I know people who do it and do fine, but how fine or how difficult is another question. I also suggest doing it for a couple months, see how you do, then make a move on it. I caution you though, things will change from year to year. Just because you can do it first year, doesnt mean that you can second year (since second year generally requires much more study time and class time as well). Third and fourth year is pretty much out of the question, unless you do it on the weekends, and even then it depends on your rotation! So I'd just be careful and know the flow of things each year BEFORE you commit to a job...

Word 👍

 

[LifetimeDoc]

Is it possible to do well? Of course, anything is possible.

Let's say you take a part time job during your first year as a medical student. Are you willing to risk doing poorly? What if you have to repeat a class over the summer or repeat an entire year? What's that going to cost? $30k in tuition? $50k total for that repeated year? What about the lost year in wages because it took you 5 years to graduate?

What about not getting into a competitive residency because you screwed up your med school GPA? Want to risk that?

I'd say that if this part time job, IMHO, earns more than $120k a year (and I honestly can't think of any job that would pay for this part-time)...then I'd say go for it. If not, it's more of a risk than I'm willing to take.

 

[KYMedGuy2011]

Also keep in mind that your school may not permit it. Mine (U of KY) does not allow students to hold down jobs during school months. It may save you from having to make a tough decision.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'd say that if this part time job, IMHO, earns more than $120k a year (and I honestly can't think of any job that would pay for this part-time)...then I'd say go for it.

Those jobs exist, but are only legal in Nevada and you have to have the requisite attributes. 😀

 

[omgwtfbbq?]

I'm just about to start my first year in August, so I can't speak for myself, but my best friend goes to med school in California and she's been working part time. But she's into a lot of the alternative therapy kind of things and she trained to do hypnosis, reiki, etc, so she works out her own hours doing stuff like that. Only works a few hours a week - about 5 or 6 - and really seems happy with it. Helps her balance out her non allopathic interests with med school, so that's nice for her too. I'm probably going to try to teach a few piano lessons, because its a link to my old life and something I really enjoy (again can be done on my own schedule - as many or as few students as i choose).
I think the key is to pick some kind of work that you can dictate the hours of and that's something you enjoy.

 

[Cirrus83]

I'd say that if this part time job, IMHO, earns more than $120k a year (and I honestly can't think of any job that would pay for this part-time)...then I'd say go for it. If not, it's more of a risk than I'm willing to take.

So...basically the only part time job that would fall under that description is high end escort. Guess that's what I'm doing for cash

 

[deleted77919]

So...basically the only part time job that would fall under that description is high end escort. Guess that's what I'm doing for cash

How does that square with your avatar? My guess is you'll need some practice in order to help brush up the resume and list of references (does an escort's CV even list references? Is that allowed?).

 

[brewmeistervi]

So...basically the only part time job that would fall under that description is high end escort. Guess that's what I'm doing for cash

I wonder if prostitutes have to pay for malpractice insurance?

 

[Noeljan]

So...basically the only part time job that would fall under that description is high end escort. Guess that's what I'm doing for cash

ahh, so when I get stressed and lonely during the school year it is you I should call? 😉

 

[gro2001]

Those jobs exist, but are only legal in Nevada and you have to have the requisite attributes. 😀

well, theres always the part-time hitman... that's always in demand.

 

[kittalin]

I don't think my school allows jobs either (you'd think I'd know more since I start in a month...) but the financial aid advisor talked about bartending or housesitting for upfront cash. I'm also guessing that kind of thing is hush hush wink wink.

 

[Law2Doc]

well, theres always the part-time hitman... that's always in demand.

I assumed the prior poster was working for legal jobs. Sure there are illegal jobs that likely offer opportunity for significant part time income. But that can lead to arrests and convictions you have to explain away on the residency applications. 🙂