Medical assistant at Derm office or Planned Parenthood?

[marsle85]

Need your friendly advice:

Just got a job at dermatology office as a medical assisant. The MD is awesome, says she's into "nurturing" premed students, giving letters of recommendation, the whole deal. It's an hour a way, and with public transit, a big pain in the ass. The pay is pretty good.

I also have an interview at Planned Parenthood as a medical assistant. The pay is just a little lower, local, and have similar duties.

My heart goes with PP, because I support the organization, and I want to eventually work in that field (OB/GYN) but I can't help but think I should go with my head, and tag along with the more elite office. I don't think it would be as much fun, I wouldn't be able to get my hands as dirty, but at this point - I want to get into medical school, and I want to choose the job that will look the best on an application.

What do you think ? 😕

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[chayo234]

my 2 cents:

It really doesn't matter where/who you get the experience from but WHAT YOU get out of the experience. If all you do is watch the derm doc work his magic and you just sit in the side lines doing nothing, it might not be as good of an experience. If you get dirty and watch amazing things happen at planned parenthood, I would go with the PP. Plus, you will not be as burnt out by working at PP since it's closer.

However, if money is a factor, you may need to weigh things out in the end. Also, unless the derm doc has a special connection with the school you want to go into or has some other kind of influence, a letter is a letter is a letter. It's going to be the same generic 300-500 word letter that most doc's give out.

 

[marsle85]

thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I so much appreciate your advice, and I believe in what you are saying. The only thing that I'm concerned with is that this MD is more than willing to, as she quoted, "write a stellar" letter of recommendation. You think this would be the same as another letter from a MD at PP?

please, anyone-- take the time to respond. I need all the help I can get. My phone interview with PP is tomorrow...

 

[texniowa89]

Hope your PP interview went well! I really think that what chayo said about what you get out of the experience is spot on. I am sure someone at PP would be willing to write you a letter of rec granted you show a serious desire to work hard and are good at the job. PP is an exceptional organization that helps thousands of all sorts of individuals and I think that regardless of what generic things a doc from there could say, the reputation is real and if you say you want to be an OB/GYN and plan to mention that in future essays and interviews then PP makes a whole lot of sense. Also think about what you will be exposed to in the vein of patient interaction and how that might be a bit different depending on which job you choose. Dunno if that matters to you as much but still something to think about...

The dermatologist telling you that they will write you a stellar letter is a ploy to get you to seriously consider working there and get you to BUCK UP and work well in the office. Sounds like they've written recs for others in the past and those individuals have successfully made it through the med school admissions process. As long as you are a good worker and get along with people I bet doctors at PP will write you a good rec as well.

TBH, I think that either of your options will be fine. You will have plenty of time in med school to fully decide what branch of medicine you truly want to enter so if money is a big factor at the moment then the dermatologist might be the best bet. Try not to stress too much though, you are in an incredible position in that you have the opportunity for some good exposure either way.

Keep us posted!