PLS advise! PLS advise: So frustrated with gap year(s) options- I have no idea what to do :'/

[blueaqua]

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*Apologies for the length but I could really really use your advice. The sad smileys are definitely relevant.
Hi everyone,
I hope you all are well. So, I graduated last May and I'll be taking the MCAT later this summer but applying next Fall '17. I did a ~1.5 years of research in college, held a leadership position and summer jobs, but unfortunately have been having such an unbelievably hard time finding a relevant good job. I graduated from a top 20 liberal arts college and....I am working as a pharmacy tech (which is frustrating mostly because this is what I did as a summer job :/).

I must've sent in ~100 applications to hospitals/research facilities around the Boston area and none of them worked out (I interviewed a few times and didn't get the position but mostly it didn't even get to the interview stage). I've had my resume/cover letters checked numerous times and everyone keeps telling me it's polished but still nothing. I probably sent in my applications when people just weren't hiring as feverishly and I know I did terrible on two interviews (scribe and another research job) but apart from that I don't know what's wrong :/.

All of this makes me want to cry out of frustration. This entire year (sept. '15-now) feels like a waste :''''//// and I absolutely can't repeat this for the next two years (E.g. I need to find something more relevant, something I can actually positively talk about and defend in interviews. Everyone including my own doctors keep asking what I'm doing as a tech when I don't have the intention of going into pharmacy :O).

Would you please suggest options for what I can do in these next few years? I can only think of:
- MPH (My hesitation is the $$ factor and I would definitely rather work )
-Work as an ER tech/phlebotomist/EKG which would help with the clinical experiences buttt these positions seem to think I'm overqualified :/)

Any other advice would be much appreciated as well!
Thank you!

PS: I did post this on pre-allo..I am ashamed to be double posting :/..but I am also greedy (and desperate if you can't already tell) for more advice..:O

 

[kanda1o]

I just started my gap year.... (graduated Dec '15, applying this June)

I recently started a scribe position, (~25-30 hours a week) for more experience. Pay isn't the best but the experience is second to none. It's funny because I have plans on getting a part time pharm tech position right now to make more $. I recommend applying to more scribe positions. As the 15/16 application cycle draws up, many scribes will be leaving to start their medical programs so there's a glimmer of hope.

All in all, you're not applying until 2017, so you have a lot of time off! I would really think about doing your masters. If there's a subject you're passionate about that is... (don't do MPH if you don't have plans to use an MPH later on)

 

[Toyz]

You can always apply for community service -year long projects which are great doctor/character buildings experiences as well!

 

[TallPreMed]

unfortunately have been having such an unbelievably hard time finding a relevant good job. I graduated from a top 20 liberal arts college and....I am working as a pharmacy tech (which is frustrating mostly because this is what I did as a summer job :/).

This reminds me of the story that is circulating right now regarding the English major who worked at Yelp in the Bay Area and complained about working one job and not being able to make ends meet while living by herself in a two bedroom apartment.

I must've sent in ~100 applications to hospitals/research facilities around the Boston area and none of them worked out (I interviewed a few times and didn't get the position but mostly it didn't even get to the interview stage). I've had my resume/cover letters checked numerous times and everyone keeps telling me it's polished but still nothing. I probably sent in my applications when people just weren't hiring as feverishly and I know I did terrible on two interviews (scribe and another research job) but apart from that I don't know what's wrong :/.

All of this makes me want to cry out of frustration. This entire year (sept. '15-now) feels like a waste :''''//// and I absolutely can't repeat this for the next two years (E.g. I need to find something more relevant, something I can actually positively talk about and defend in interviews. Everyone including my own doctors keep asking what I'm doing as a tech when I don't have the intention of going into pharmacy :O).

OP, you're sounding very entitled. Just because you have your bachelors from a "Top 20 liberal arts school" does not mean that you automatically get a job that is perfect for you in the field you work in. Want to work somewhere where you'll make a difference? Go into a nursing home or assisted living and ask to be an aide/CNA. Training is not long or difficult and you'll have plenty of stories to talk about when med school interviews come in. Not sure of your location but there are always some nearby. Don't like the money? Do it part time on top of your pharm tech job. Facilities usually always need night/weekend staff.
If you think your bachelors degree overqualifies you for those jobs, you are sorely mistaken. You'll learn plenty working with the old and infirm.

Today's economy and work environment is not one where you can come blasting out of the gate and work exactly the hours you want for exactly the money you want for exactly the duties you want. You have to pick up jobs, work internships, etc.

Right out of college I had two jobs waiting tables and an unpaid internship. Waiting tables, a job that required no college degree, paid more than a position that was tailor-made for me in the field I went to school for. After my internship I went and worked as a manager for a retail company. Paid my dues, worked a ton of hours, and finally managed to interview and get hired for a position with a company I really enjoy in the field I'm supposed to be in (medicine and hospice). Gotta pay your dues dude. Best of luck to you.

 

[echo87]

OP, I personally don't think you're entitled, it's extremely common for recent graduates to be kind of shocked at the lack of response they get from employers, especially when they've been doing hard work in undergrad under the idea that it will pay off, especially so if you factor other considerations like "I go to a good school, I have a good degree, I have good experience" etc. There is nothing wrong with being a pharmacy tech, nothing wrong with working any job to feed yourself. I will say that it will be pretty difficult for you to obtain the jobs you seem to have in mind, considering the plethora of applicants with years of more experience and graduate degrees.

Still, here is some advice when it comes to employment. You may have sent out ~100 applications but are they worth looking at? Are the answers generic? Does it make someone interested in you, or let them know that you yourself are actually interested in the job? That's the key. This is especially true when it comes to cover letters. If your cover letter is generic and isn't tailored for that specific job at that specific place, you are almost guaranteed not to garner interest. So I would say that every application you send out needs to be meticulously thought over. In this case, it is actually BOTH quality AND quantity. It's like you're going fishing, you want the best bait but you will land fish if you throw out a lot of lines, in conjunction with the best bait.

Other posters have mentioned that you do volunteer/intern work in the year ahead, to make yourself a stronger applicant. While this is useful advice, it is completely at the mercy of your financial situation. Some people just have the resources to pull this off, whether it be family or savings (usually family), to support them while they do this kind of work. As someone who has been in your shoes, I would definitely apply to jobs smarter, because even volunteering/interning costs you money (travel, food, etc).

 

[TallPreMed]

OP, I personally don't think you're entitled, it's extremely common for recent graduates to be kind of shocked at the lack of response they get from employers, especially when they've been doing hard work in undergrad under the idea that it will pay off, especially so if you factor other considerations like "I go to a good school, I have a good degree, I have good experience" etc. There is nothing wrong with being a pharmacy tech, nothing wrong with working any job to feed yourself. I will say that it will be pretty difficult for you to obtain the jobs you seem to have in mind, considering the plethora of applicants with years of more experience and graduate degrees.

Still, here is some advice when it comes to employment. You may have sent out ~100 applications but are they worth looking at? Are the answers generic? Does it make someone interested in you, or let them know that you yourself are actually interested in the job? That's the key. This is especially true when it comes to cover letters. If your cover letter is generic and isn't tailored for that specific job at that specific place, you are almost guaranteed not to garner interest. So I would say that every application you send out needs to be meticulously thought over. In this case, it is actually BOTH quality AND quantity. It's like you're going fishing, you want the best bait but you will land fish if you throw out a lot of lines, in conjunction with the best bait.

Other posters have mentioned that you do volunteer/intern work in the year ahead, to make yourself a stronger applicant. While this is useful advice, it is completely at the mercy of your financial situation. Some people just have the resources to pull this off, whether it be family or savings (usually family), to support them while they do this kind of work. As someone who has been in your shoes, I would definitely apply to jobs smarter, because even volunteering/interning costs you money (travel, food, etc).

Thus why I worked two jobs while I had an unpaid internship. Was up from 6am-12am every day except Wednesdays and I had no one to financially support me except for myself. And this wasn't some time ago... It was in 2013 😉

 

[jojob1393]

I actually have the same problem as you. I believed that after graduating from a great liberal arts college with a lot of experience I would not have that much trouble finding a job. I applied for research positions and although went to some interviews have not been employed. Over the months I have been applying for jobs which require a high school degree and even those do not respond. Now I am just trying to get hired anywhere really. I guess this is the reality of some college graduates. I have been volunteering at a children's hospital in NYC but its only 4 hours a week. I am considering getting EMT certified so that at least I have a chance in getting a job doing that in September however I have seen many posts about EMTs working as volunteers because experience is needed to get a paid position. At least you have a job and Doing some volunteer work that is medically related in your free time might be a good option for you

 

[Goro]

Stop focusing on something lab or hospital related and take a job, ANY job.

Then continue with volunteering on your free time.

Don't bother with the MPH, unless it's something you really want to do. If you're trying to show your academic bona fides, better to simply take some grad level courses.

*Apologies for the length but I could really really use your advice. The sad smileys are definitely relevant.
Hi everyone,
I hope you all are well. So, I graduated last May and I'll be taking the MCAT later this summer but applying next Fall '17. I did a ~1.5 years of research in college, held a leadership position and summer jobs, but unfortunately have been having such an unbelievably hard time finding a relevant good job. I graduated from a top 20 liberal arts college and....I am working as a pharmacy tech (which is frustrating mostly because this is what I did as a summer job :/).

I must've sent in ~100 applications to hospitals/research facilities around the Boston area and none of them worked out (I interviewed a few times and didn't get the position but mostly it didn't even get to the interview stage). I've had my resume/cover letters checked numerous times and everyone keeps telling me it's polished but still nothing. I probably sent in my applications when people just weren't hiring as feverishly and I know I did terrible on two interviews (scribe and another research job) but apart from that I don't know what's wrong :/.

All of this makes me want to cry out of frustration. This entire year (sept. '15-now) feels like a waste :''''//// and I absolutely can't repeat this for the next two years (E.g. I need to find something more relevant, something I can actually positively talk about and defend in interviews. Everyone including my own doctors keep asking what I'm doing as a tech when I don't have the intention of going into pharmacy :O).

Would you please suggest options for what I can do in these next few years? I can only think of:
- MPH (My hesitation is the $$ factor and I would definitely rather work )
-Work as an ER tech/phlebotomist/EKG which would help with the clinical experiences buttt these positions seem to think I'm overqualified :/)

Any other advice would be much appreciated as well!
Thank you!

PS: I did post this on pre-allo..I am ashamed to be double posting :/..but I am also greedy (and desperate if you can't already tell) for more advice..:O

 

[osckey]

You can always apply for community service -year long projects which are great doctor/character buildings experiences as well!

Best advice ever. If I could go back, I'd rather have done a meaningful year long project like City Year rather than my scribing job or research. OP, relax and continue to try. You just need a single job to keep you busy until medical school starts. What I'm doing in my gap year is working, traveling, and sleeping as much as possible before medical school starts. Also, a one year MPH wouldn't be the end of the world.

 

[cassis_Cake]

Been there, done that.. I remember it took me over half a year to finally find a job that was relevant to my major. Before then, I volunteered at a local kitchen in the community and met wonderful people there. Just keep your head up and stay active instead of losing your mind. Take your time and gain invaluable professional experience while you work toward applying for medical schools. Theres no need to rush it, too often people feel that they have to be in medical school within one or two years of undergrad.