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!

 

[NotaCop]

Clinical research coordinator. The jobs are everywhere.

Also, stop applying to random job postings. You're wasting your time. Start networking. You will have a much easier time of it all.

Best of luck, PM me if you'd like a more thorough answer.

 

[Gibbward]

I can see why getting a research gig around Boston is hard. There are soooo many qualified people (some are even overqualified) that apply for the entry level research positions that you are applying for :/ your best bet to get a job might be to volunteer in a lab first to gain more research experience and then apply for actual jobs come August.

And I know it's weird being a pharm tech when you want to go to med school, but you can always just do more medically relevant volunteer work to compensate for your "non-medical" job. Sometimes you just gotta take the hand your given and make the most of it.

 

[PugsAndHugs]

Craigslist! Interesting and unique opportunities in the healthcare/science section. I would get an MA certification and become an MA but if you don't want to do that you can look for MA positions that don't require MA certification.

 

[doc05]

join the Peace Corps

 

[CyrilFiggis]

I did a ~1.5 years of research in college, held a leadership position and summer jobs. I graduated from a top 20 liberal arts college and....I am working as a pharmacy tech

This entire year (sept. '15-now) feels like a waste

overqualified :/)

OP, you come across to me as sounding totally entitled. Top 20 degree, nice resume and expecting that you deserve more than you're getting. You have struck out with every other application, yet show no appreciation for the position you have. It doesn't sound like you need a new job because the current one isn't helping financially. Instead, you're trying to convince me that this FULL TIME job you have is somehow a waste?

I need to find something more relevant, something I can actually positively talk about and defend in interviews.

Your failure to defend and talk positively about your current gig is a reflection on you. Is the job extremely time demanding? 60+ hour weeks? Or do you still have the time to socialize, or more importantly for your application, volunteer or do community service? Do you see your job as so little that you fail to see the positive in having 5,000+ hours for one of your ECs on your application?

I'm sure things will work out just fine for you, but you should really take a step back and look at the situation and reflect upon your attitude.

 

[Mansamusa]

Why not keep your current job? It is clinically relevant.

Switching jobs doesn't mean you'll be happier and it seems like more effort than it is worth (also think about LORs)

(If you are really just worried about how it looks on your app, don't. You are getting medical, physician, and patient exposure, which are all great)