Part time jobs while in medical school

[ilim01]

Hi I am starting medical school in a couple of months in NYC and I really wanted know this.

How many of you have time to do work part time while in medical school?

I teach MCAT for Kaplan, does anybody also do this while in Med school and thinks its manageable, if yes how many classes do u teach ?

Also I was thinking of getting certified as a personal trainer, any Personal Trainer med students out there recommend this ?

thanks

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[ddmo]

It's possible, you just have to weigh how important free time and grades are to you.

 

[ilim01]

yes ddmoore, thats the crux of the matter.

I plan to get into an extremely competitive residency so grades are very important to me, and since I have numerous hobbies my free time is also personally significant.

However my question, have you as medical students been able to manage your time effectively enough to still hold a part time job, have some free time, and manage to get good grades. I mean no one can study 24/7 right;

 

[Ross434]

yes ddmoore, thats the crux of the matter.

I plan to get into an extremely competitive residency so grades are very important to me, and since I have numerous hobbies my free time is also personally significant.

hahahaha

If you're good enough, you can probably handle it. I know a guy who had a 15hour/week job, partied most nights, and got into gen surg without studying much. However, he was smarter than most.

 

[ddmo]

I plan to get into an extremely competitive residency

Maybe a better way to phrase this is, "I am currently interested in extremely competitive residencies."

When you rock the first three years, get 250+ on the boards, and have 15 interviews within that specialty, then maybe the word "plan" would be a little more appropriate.

I mean no one can study 24/7 right;

You would be amazed how many people do study more or less 24/7 who are competing against you for those spots. I personally know people who study or attend class at least 18 hours a day/7 days a week.

My opinion is that unless you are in dire need of the money, scrap the work idea. Put your energy towards your school work, and remember to set the books aside every once in awhile to have some fun.

 

[erin682]

Working during med school is feasible but personally I would go insane. It depends I guess on how much you value free time. I like to have a lot whereas others prefer to stay busy all the time. I guess I would recomend giving the job a shot but don't plan on depending on the money you get from working. It may be that it doesn't work out and you don't want to be stuck in financial trouble and have to worry about that on top of everything else.

 

[themann]

I can't imagine trying to work during medical school. Could you do it? yes, but you'd better be pretty smart... or just not care about your grades. For a lot of people it is all they can do to pass, so if you fall into that scenario then no you probably couldn't work. I would get my feet wet and evaluate how things are going in school before I made that choice.

 

[Horseradish99]

I would get my feet wet and evaluate how things are going in school before I made that choice.

I think that's the way to go. I didn't work my first year, but found I realistically had the time and energy to work part time, so second year I worked about 15 hours a week. Make sure wherever you work is pretty flexible though, as your priority should be school over your job.

It's nice to get away from medicine now and then too (assuming your job is outside the scope of medicine). Sure, you can do that with extracurriculars or volunteering, but it's definitely a bonus to earn money!

 

[beastmaster]

Invest / Gamble

 

[superdevil]

sure earning money is great, but if you do earn money through a job while in med school, don't you run the risk of your school's financial aid department screwing you over for the next academic year?

 

[liverotcod]

sure earning money is great, but if you do earn money through a job while in med school, don't you run the risk of your school's financial aid department screwing you over for the next academic year?

Not really. There's almost no grant assistance available anyway, so you'll have loans whether you're making anything or not. Income (excet at a very high level) does not affect Stafford eligibility.

 

[Napoleon1801]

Maybe if you had a graveyard shift someplace where you don't have to do crap and you can use the time to study.

I heard about these 2 dental students that were night watchmen, so one of them could either study or sleep while the other one kept watch. Might also work if you work as the graveyard gas station attendant.

 

[tigershark]

Work in a research lab, kill two birds with one stone. You'll need the research for the "extremely competitive residency" anyway.

Stick with it through med school and you will have a sick CV.

I started working in a lab the summer before school started and have stuck with it. My CV is 3 pages long now, without the publications it would be sad.

Whatever you do make sure it is something that will enhance your CV...otherwise you're wasting your precious time.

 

[Napoleon1801]

Stick with it through med school and you will have a sick CV.

I started working in a lab the summer before school started and have stuck with it. My CV is 3 pages long now, without the publications it would be sad.

QUOTE]

What does "CV" stand for? I assume its on the same level as a resume?

 

[mx_599]

Hi I am starting medical school in a couple of months in NYC and I really wanted know this.

How many of you have time to do work part time while in medical school?

I teach MCAT for Kaplan, does anybody also do this while in Med school and thinks its manageable, if yes how many classes do u teach ?

Also I was thinking of getting certified as a personal trainer, any Personal Trainer med students out there recommend this ?

thanks

personal training is kind of lame...unless you're a good salesman. i had bad luck with it. however, that might be because i was trying to make a living doing it. in your case i am assuming it would just be for a few bucks while in med school....so you might love it! i was highly qualified too. if you know anything about the certifications available. i am cscs cert with a masters in exercise science. hopefully you'll have better luck with it.

 

[synapse lapse]

What does "CV" stand for? I assume its on the same level as a resume?

Curriculum Vitae - fancy term for resume, mostly used in the scientific and academic fields.

 

[japhy]

every time someone asks this question you get the same answers - focus on school, blah blah blah.

i worked 20-25 hours during 1-2 years. i can honestly say i did better in school when i was working. the only problem that i ran into was that work cut into my ski time...

 

[ilim01]

Thank you, I greatly appreciate all the responses,

mx_599, I bought all the materials to take the test for ACE certification, thought it might be something i enjoy and make a few extra bucks.

japhy, what kind of work did u do ?

 

[Harrie]

I know people who taught MCAT classes through most of med school. Usually you won't be able to teach during 3rd year, but it is possible during the first two years. It depends on your personality and your learning style. I don't think I could have done it (well, actually I think I COULD have done it but I wouldn't have enjoyed it). One person I can think of had great grades, awesome board scores, and was AOA...all while teaching MCAT classes and making quite a bit of money.

 

[conure]

I'm with Japhy, figuratively and literally (I'm in Utah also). I had lots of friends who have worked during years 1 and 2 (one is a physical therapist and worked >30hrs many times throughout the two years). I think it will actually help you budget your time.

I have a part time gig in network marketing that I love and it provides as much incomes as I'm willing to work.

 

[mx_599]

Thank you, I greatly appreciate all the responses,

mx_599, I bought all the materials to take the test for ACE certification, thought it might be something i enjoy and make a few extra bucks.

japhy, what kind of work did u do ?

ACE is fine...the problem is that personal training is not regulated. sorry for the negativity...if you are not trying to make a career of it (which i know you're not) than i bet you would really enjoy it!

 

[efex101]

It is extremely hard to make good money as a personal trainer..getting a certification is the beginning of a long road. Unless you are thinking about working at a health club and them paying you peanuts for hour...it will be extremely hard to get going while you are in medical school. It takes years to create a good enough client base just fyi. I have a friend that is doing extremely well as a trainer but she has ACSM certification, BS degree in a related field, and is getting her masters in exercise science. Like the above poster stated the non-regulation status of personal training is more harming than not. I would not myself hire any personal trainer unless they had a degree in exercise science *and* certified by a rigorous certification entity such as ACSM..but never AFAA or ACE. These are run of the mill certification programs that require hardly any knowledge...

 

[japhy]

i worked at starbucks and skied at alta.

i had worked at starbucks as an undergrad and so they were happy to have me around. one of the main reasons i stuck around was for the benefits - i received full medical/dental insurance, disability, etc for working 20 hours/wk. and they offer great coverage.

it was nice to get away from med school and it was a low stress job. i had very little responsibility which was a nice change from medical school.

 

[mx_599]

It is extremely hard to make good money as a personal trainer..getting a certification is the beginning of a long road. Unless you are thinking about working at a health club and them paying you peanuts for hour...it will be extremely hard to get going while you are in medical school. It takes years to create a good enough client base just fyi. I have a friend that is doing extremely well as a trainer but she has ACSM certification, BS degree in a related field, and is getting her masters in exercise science. Like the above poster stated the non-regulation status of personal training is more harming than not. I would not myself hire any personal trainer unless they had a degree in exercise science *and* certified by a rigorous certification entity such as ACSM..but never AFAA or ACE. These are run of the mill certification programs that require hardly any knowledge...

yep...exactly. ACSM- exercise specialist and NSCA- CSCS both require a 4-yr degree in an appropriate major. ACSM tends to be more clinical while NSCA really caters to sport.
NASM is not too bad, but the previously mentioned ones are the two to seek if looking for training services

 

[efex101]

Yup, my friend is literally making tons of $$$ but she has worked her arse off and can now charge whatever she wants...literally. She is an examiner for ACSM as well. You can make good money but is "more" than a full time job. The reputable ones like you said are the ones that require a 4 year degree and my friend mentioned that tons of people with master, Ph.D flunk out! and never get the certification. I guess ACSM/NSCA are no joke!

 

[jhawkins]

I'm a MS2, and I actually took a job with Kaplan teaching MCAT this Winter. As you know, it pays really good, and since they are so desperate you can pretty much tell them when you want to work and they'll schedule around your exams, etc. I don't think I would have taken a job 1st year, but looking back I wish I would have. MS1 really isn't that hard (at least not as hard as MS2), and I actually had more time then. So I taught 2 classes per week - one on Wednesday nights, and one on the weekend. It worked out perfect, and I made some cash for my honeymoon - 2 days after Step 1! I'd keep in touch with Kaplan and sortof feel it out. If you pass your first few exams, then go for it.

 

[ilim01]

thanks for the responses,

this thread is old but I want ot revive it because I still havent made up my mind.

Has anybody else worked or taught for Kaplan while in med school ? Please share your experience

thank you.

 

[njbmd]

Hi I am starting medical school in a couple of months in NYC and I really wanted know this.

How many of you have time to do work part time while in medical school?

I teach MCAT for Kaplan, does anybody also do this while in Med school and thinks its manageable, if yes how many classes do u teach ?

Also I was thinking of getting certified as a personal trainer, any Personal Trainer med students out there recommend this ?

thanks

Hi there,
Part-time work while in medical school is extremely difficult to accomplish. If you have clinical skills (nursing, respiratory therapy) you might be able to work on holidays and the weekends after exams. Almost anything else that involves time away from study is going to be a liability and generally not worth the money. Tutoring your fellow students is a way to make some cash but only if you are sanctioned by the school. Tutoring in a test-prep center might be possible but again, you have to decide how much "spare time" you have once you have gotten into the curriculum.

njbmd

 

[PostalWookie]

I'm planning to tutor an hour or two a week, but since I'll be charging 75 or so an hour, that should be plenty.

 

[mattorama]

Go ahead and work a few hours a week. I was a TA for an undergrad lab during first year and will do it again second year. I probably spent a total of 6-7 hours/week between lab time (2 evenings/week) and prep. Paid well, worked out to something like $30/hour so it was nice to have the extra "fun" money. I also go to a school that has class all day with mandatory attendance. This made it a little more stressfull, but I still managed nearly straight honors, went to the gym really early in the morning before class, and went out with friends 2-3 times a week. It can be done, especially if you aren't in class 9-5 pretty much all the time like we were.

Now, if I had of spent more then then 6-7 hours/week I don't think I could have done it without either my grades or my sanity suffering.

You teach with KAPLAN. You must have done really well on the MCAT (I'm sure better then I did)...I don't think you will struggle to do well in med school. If nothing else don't teach the first semester until you have felt things out a little.

good luck!

 

[blz]

Well if you're jacked (since you considered personal training I'm assuming you're fit), maybe you should be a bouncer at a bar or club. I really dont know how much of a time committment that is, but it sure would be a cool part time job.

 

[TomasMay]

Try to do some consulting work. as a med student you know a heck of a lot of material that can help others in reseach investment. i once got a consulting job that paid 50$ per interview and all i had to do was call cardiologists and ask them what 2b3a inhibitor they used, why, etc.

 

[mdsadler]

Try to do some consulting work. as a med student you know a heck of a lot of material that can help others in reseach investment. i once got a consulting job that paid 50$ per interview and all i had to do was call cardiologists and ask them what 2b3a inhibitor they used, why, etc.

tomasmay:

how do you go about getting a consulting job like this. i would really enjoy this type of job but haven't really heard where to look.