Research vs medicine, professor pushing me to do research

[luna97]

How do I deal with a professor that keeps pushing me to do research when I really want to do medicine? Anytime I bring up a medical career (PA, genetic counselor, MD) he immediately shuts me down and points me towards being a lab tech or some similar job. It makes me feel like he thinks I can't do it. Yet when i signed up for a CNA course last semester he was like "okay but you could be at the national level. You are just as competitive as my students who I know are going to get into med school." I'm so confused. This professor is my advisor and has been a mentor who has done a lot for my college career, so it's very discouraging. I know I should just tell him what I want to do but any advice on how to go about it?

When I told him I was exploring options for the summer, he told me that I'm going to apply for research and couldn't seem to understand why I would want to do something else. I also planned to take a pre rec course that I need over the summer to get ahead and he basically said no on that.

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[jarednogeek]

I mean just accept his opinion and move on. ultimately it's up to you. he probably just wants you to follow in his foot steps because he likes you. It's your choice to make.

 

[5yewy5r]

Ditto on the above. I think for the CNA bit, your professor was under the impression you wanted to go into nursing and was suggesting that you are “too smart for it.”

As pushy as your professor is, they seem to hold you (or your intelligence, at least) in high regard. Do what you enjoy. But if you like research, it will serve you very well for medical school applications. And unlike clinical experiences, which are a bit more plug n play, research requires longitudinal investment to get any results. This may be why your professor is emphasizing it so much to the point of discouraging you from spending your summer doing anything else.

 

[Goro]

How do I deal with a professor that keeps pushing me to do research when I really want to do medicine? Anytime I bring up a medical career (PA, genetic counselor, MD) he immediately shuts me down and points me towards being a lab tech or some similar job. It makes me feel like he thinks I can't do it. Yet when i signed up for a CNA course last semester he was like "okay but you could be at the national level. You are just as competitive as my students who I know are going to get into med school." I'm so confused. This professor is my advisor and has been a mentor who has done a lot for my college career, so it's very discouraging. I know I should just tell him what I want to do but any advice on how to go about it?

When I told him I was exploring options for the summer, he told me that I'm going to apply for research and couldn't seem to understand why I would want to do something else. I also planned to take a pre rec course that I need over the summer to get ahead and he basically said no on that.

You could ignore him. You're not tied to this guy's hip, I trust?

 

[puahate]

Just ignore him

 

[luna97]

You could ignore him. You're not tied to this guy's hip, I trust?

Thank you for the response! That's the thing. We have spent a lot of time working together in the lab and I was the student that would stay after class to do homework and he would come in and make sure I understood the material. He, maybe unfortunately, knows a lot of my personal life (from him asking so many questions, not me volunteering information). He has even advised me not to date a certain guy I was seeing at the time and hang out with a particular group of people. Perhaps he only cares and means well but it gets aggravating. Nonetheless, I know I have to be my own person.

 

[Goro]

Thank you for the response! That's the thing. We have spent a lot of time working together in the lab and I was the student that would stay after class to do homework and he would come in and make sure I understood the material. He, maybe unfortunately, knows a lot of my personal life (from him asking so many questions, not me volunteering information). He has even advised me not to date a certain guy I was seeing at the time and hang out with a particular group of people. Perhaps he only cares and means well but it gets aggravating. Nonetheless, I know I have to be my own person.

Yup, you're an adult now.

 

[chemdoctor]

It's his opinion. Nothing more if you don't want it to be. I'd say to continue working with him but don't listen to him.

It's your choice. If you want to do medicine, then do medicine. Doesn't matter what this guy thinks. What tangible difference does it make to your life? It's your choice OP! Good luck!

 

[doc05]

I think this is a misunderstanding here. For academically strong applicants, research can be an impressive component of the med school application. Actually, in my day (not that long ago), all the strongest applicants, and those who got into "top" schools, all had a solid research background.

CNA may be clinical experience, but it's limited in scope, has a low ceiling, and is unintellectual.

 

[luna97]

I think this is a misunderstanding here. For academically strong applicants, research can be an impressive component of the med school application. Actually, in my day (not that long ago), all the strongest applicants, and those who got into "top" schools, all had a solid research background.

CNA may be clinical experience, but it's limited in scope, has a low ceiling, and is unintellectual.

Thank you for your answer! I completely agree with research making an applicant stand out to med schools, however, I am focused on becoming a PA and from what I understand, PA schools value patient care experience over research and being a CNA is just a stepping stone to get to PA school.

 

[Crayola227]

maybe he thinks you're good at science but not with people

I've talked to professors who felt their science research students shouldn't become physicians or didn't have what it takes

not sure this is true of you, but worth thinking about, especially if you were going to ask for a letter

 

[Robin-jay]

Non-issue unless this impedes on a great LOR.

 

[nimbus]

maybe he thinks you're good at science but not with people

I've talked to professors who felt their science research students shouldn't become physicians or didn't have what it takes

not sure this is true of you, but worth thinking about, especially if you were going to ask for a letter

Most professors have no clue that what it takes to become a physician is high drive, the ability to tolerate a lot of crap (some of it theirs) and a pinch of intelligence.

And the OP’s professor sounds like a creeper trying to keep OP within his sphere. I’d get a new advisor.

 

[spartan25]

Thank you for the response! That's the thing. We have spent a lot of time working together in the lab and I was the student that would stay after class to do homework and he would come in and make sure I understood the material. He, maybe unfortunately, knows a lot of my personal life (from him asking so many questions, not me volunteering information). He has even advised me not to date a certain guy I was seeing at the time and hang out with a particular group of people. Perhaps he only cares and means well but it gets aggravating. Nonetheless, I know I have to be my own person.

This guy seems like a creep if he’s telling you to not date certain people. I would drop him like a hot potato and move on to something else. Although that may mean sacrificing a potential future LOR

 

[futureDocDD]

Since you said "He has even advised me not to date a certain guy", I'd assume you're a female student. You said "he asks a lot of questions about your personal life", I'd suggest keeping a distance from him. Something smells fishy ...

 

[DokterMom]

Why not ask him directly? There are several very plausible explanations I can think of off the top of my head:

• He thinks you're highly intelligent and would be great in a research career
• He considers himself your mentor and wants you to follow in his footsteps
• He thinks you're better suited to a life in a lab, so not dealing with people
• He's trying to steer you toward a top-tier medical school and get you prepared

Thank you for your answer! I completely agree with research making an applicant stand out to med schools, however, I am focused on becoming a PA and from what I understand, PA schools value patient care experience over research and being a CNA is just a stepping stone to get to PA school.

• He may misunderstand the scope of PA, believing it to be more like nursing, so 'below' your capabilities. Or he may just think it's below your capabilities since you have the potential to be a fabulous MD/PhD.
• Maybe he thinks you're 'mommy-tracking' before you even start

Thank you for the response! That's the thing. We have spent a lot of time working together in the lab and I was the student that would stay after class to do homework and he would come in and make sure I understood the material. He, maybe unfortunately, knows a lot of my personal life (from him asking so many questions, not me volunteering information). He has even advised me not to date a certain guy I was seeing at the time and hang out with a particular group of people. Perhaps he only cares and means well but it gets aggravating. Nonetheless, I know I have to be my own person.

Do you get a 'fatherly' vibe from him? Or a potential 'creeper' vibe? Listen to your gut on this without hyper-analyzing. So think back to how you genuinely felt before the folks here started asking you questions. Does he only mentor attractive female students?

 

[candbgirl]

Thank you for the response! That's the thing. We have spent a lot of time working together in the lab and I was the student that would stay after class to do homework and he would come in and make sure I understood the material. He, maybe unfortunately, knows a lot of my personal life (from him asking so many questions, not me volunteering information). He has even advised me not to date a certain guy I was seeing at the time and hang out with a particular group of people. Perhaps he only cares and means well but it gets aggravating. Nonetheless, I know I have to be my own person.

Well that’s creepy. Find a new lab and advisor.

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

Since you said "He has even advised me not to date a certain guy", I'd assume you're a female student. You said "he asks a lot of questions about your personal life", I'd suggest keeping a distance from him. Something smells fishy ...

Unless it’s done in a fatherly way then no big deal... lots of mentors are protective of their charges. But if you get a creepy vibe then yes, definitely get out of there.


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[Dwight Snoot]

I kind of had somebody like this once as well. Sometimes if you are a good student professors want you to follow in their footsteps so to speak. You just have to remember that not everything everyone tells you is right. Do what you think you are best at/want to do the most.