Research

[Inspire Aspire]

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For all of those who have to work full-time, when did you find time to do research? I'd really love to do some actual clinical research in a area/speciality of interest. I think this would be beneficial in helping to decide if this/these are areas of medicine that I'd really like to pursue, and it might even give a feel of some of the requirements of academic practice. Not to mention it would likely look good on my future medical school applications.

But when can I do it...? I work during the day,take an evening class two days a week with the corresponding 3 hour lab mid day Saturdays, and volunteer 4 hours on Sunday. This doesn't account for regular life like husband and kid, and the projects/volunteer activities from the Community Involvement Board I'm a part of for work. And while I'd be more than happy to do research for several hours on my Saturdays or even in the evenings some days this doesn't seem to be a viable option as most people do their research during the day.

Adding further insult is the fact that one of the hospitals near by has a Clinical Research Summer Internship Program that I'd love to do...but as you can guess its full time during the day for 2 months. Even if I didn't take a class or have a lab on Saturday, I'd still only be able to do research in the evening or on the weekends.

Anyone have any advice??

 

[QofQuimica]

Anyone have any advice??

Yes, but you're probably not going to like it. With a family, a full time job, night classes, and your volunteering gig, your plate is already very full. If you're managing to balance all of that while getting excellent grades and seeing your family more than once or twice a week, my advice is to not tip the delicate balance you've achieved. Burning yourself out by trying to take on too much will not accomplish anything, and a 3.8+ GPA will get you a lot further in this process than a few hours of working in a lab here and there will. Consider that research is not something you can do part-time for a few months and expect to accomplish much more beyond maybe picking up a few lab techniques. Also, if you want to try research, there are plenty of opportunities for med students to take a summer or use elective time to do some research. Some people even take a fifth year to get an MS. Right now, focus on doing well in your classes and getting clinical experience; you don't have to fit in every possible EC out there as a premed.

Best of luck to you. 🙂

 

[Inspire Aspire]

Thanks for the advice. I had already prepared myself to hear something along those lines.

 

[Jessica Stone]

Well I can tell you that undergrad or premedical research is not as glarmorous as you might imagine it is. A lot of time, you're simply fixing Excel spreadsheet data or looking through medical charts and copying down patient demographics. If you're lucky and get to do hands on research (culturing cells or growing stuff in petri dishes) be prepared to come in at night and on weekends to check up on samples.

It doesn't necessarily get better once you graduate or go to medical school. I've met medical students and fellows and most say that they prefer spending time with my family and volunteering activity. Lab work is definitely not for everyone and I think if you're already busy and content with what you have, you should probably wait until you get into medical school (or afterwards during fellowship) before going into it.