Job or Research?

[mcatsb]

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I've got a dilemma and just wondering how others here would handle it. I plan on starting medschool fall 2013 and just started a job at a health insurance consulting company for my gap year. I'm learning a LOT about healthcare from the business perspective and enjoy this job.

BUT... today I got a call to interview for a research tech position at one of my top pick medschools. This is really the job I wanted but I literally just started the other job and don't want to look like a complete flake.

I realize I haven't gotten the research position yet but I don't want to interview for it unless I'm sure I'm willing to take it if offered.

Do you think a research tech position would impress an admin board that much more than my current job? Enough to burn bridges at my current job?
What would you do?

 

[mechengmed]

Which one pays more? I'm doing the same thing next year, so if I get a good engineering job in a good location I'll probably take that. Otherwise I'm planning on doing research at the hospital I volunteer at now.

 

[Praefectus]

Don't burn your bridges. Stay with your current job and if an adcom member asks, say that you're interested in learning about several different facets of healthcare.

 

[screamin eagle]

Personally, I would stay stick with the insurance job. That job would help you stand out as compared to a research tech, which every applicant has some variation of.

 

[colberag]

I agree with sticking with your insurance job - interesting healthcare perspective, pretty unique experience of med school app, i would assume better paying, research tech is a fairly common experience. I don't know if working in a lab at your top school would necessarily give you an advantage with applying unless you work with med school faculty.

 

[kpcrew]

being a tech usually means a lot of gruntwork and things like ordering until you get enough experience to be useful. you'd probably do well with your current job.

 

[mcatsb]

Thanks to everyone for all the comments - you really helped me in making my decision to stick with my current job!

 

[screamin eagle]

thanks to everyone for all the comments - you really helped me in making my decision to stick with my current job!

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