Need some advice on research, the match, and life...

[worker_bee]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm a med student that just got started on third year. I haven't picked what specialty I want to do yet. I'm interested in finding a research project to work on, but I'm not sure if I should wait a few months to see if I know what specialty I want to go into, and then pick a project in that specialty.

So I guess my question is - which is the better move - starting a research project early so you can get more done, or later so that you know what your career plans are when you pick the project?

Also, I've tried to get involved in research during medical school but had terrible luck with mentors. The summer after my first year I worked in a lab, but I didn't learn the lab techniques as quickly as my bosses wanted and they told me at the end of the summer that I was too stupid for research. Lately I've been helping a doctor with some clinical research but he's been far too busy to really involve me in the project. I usually just end up spending a couple hours making measurements and entering data, and then waiting weeks for him to look it over.

So I guess my second question is does anyone have advice on finding a mentor who has the people skills and time to actually mentor?

I've gotten some great advice on SDN in the past. If anyone can help me out here I offer my eternal gratitude!

 

[MrBurns10]

To answer your first question, I would start now on a research topic that interests you, regardless of whether or not you go into that field. Research in general looks good. Sure, for some specialties it's more important that you do it in that field, but those are only the most competitive ones and having done other research is still a plus. Do you have any idea what you want to go into? My suggestion is to get involved in research now in the most competitive field you think you'd go into. Of course that may change, but it doesn't hurt to do ortho research and then end up doing peds, for example. But even if you end up deciding to go into a different competitive specialty, you can always do a research rotation your 4th year.

As for your second question, talk to some 4th years. Email the listserve and ask if anyone can recommend a good mentor. You could also go the old-fashioned spray and pray route (email a bunch of profs and hope one works out), but word of mouth is a helpful tool of which you should definitely take advantage.

good luck!

 

[Catalystik]

So I guess my second question is does anyone have advice on finding a mentor who has the people skills and time to actually mentor?

Make an appointment with any potential mentor and talk over your objectives. Take a tour of their labs. Get names /contact info for some of the people already working for that lab. Get in touch with those contacts and ask if they recommend the lab director for those qualities that are important to you. Personal recommendations beat the shotgun approach everytime.

 

[imagined space]

Make an appointment with any potential mentor and talk over your objectives. Take a tour of their labs. Get names /contact info for some of the people already working for that lab. Get in touch with those contacts and ask if they recommend the lab director for those qualities that are important to you. Personal recommendations beat the shotgun approach everytime.

I'd highly agree with this, especially the part about asking other assistants their experiences later over phone or email. Good labs acknowledge that some training is necessary in order bring new folks up to speed. Bad labs pretty much let you fend for yourself and see if it works out. (I'm defining good and bad here by how well the lab treats its people, not the quantity or quality of papers it produces)

Also try to get a gauge of how happy or relaxed people seem to be in the lab. Do they have time to talk to for a few minutes when you are touring the lab or do they mumble "hi" and then scurry off?