Two gap years. What should I do? (Job advice, especially)

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[vanillabear55]

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[ciestar]

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[kyamh]

I have been working as a lab tech for a few years. There have been a few recent threads about how difficult it can be to land this position out of college, but there has also been great advice floating around about contacting PI's directly.

Research has been a wonderful job option for me not only because I enjoy it, but also because it's a job that is more flexible when it comes to time off for interviews etc. For example, I have interviews that are all lined up in the coming weeks and I now work weekends to compensate. I have scheduled my interviews on Tuesdays/Wednesdays so that I can take advantage of the cheapest airfare without using vacation time 😎

 

[roundza]

People do all kinds of things. There's a lot of pressure to do something clinical and/or research and some people sincerely love doing these jobs. People are not all the same, however, and it sounds like you've had all the requisite clinical/research experience to get into a top notch school. My advice would be to choose something you'll feel happy doing every day and that will ideally give you a little bit of savings to help make the transition back to full time student life a little easier. Maybe choose to tutor, or work at a pasty shop, or follow a passion for a year, or join a start up applying your tech skills. These kinds of jobs will open doors, allow you to meet interesting people, and you'll come across as a well rounded person by the time you're sitting across the table from your interviewer.

just my two cents 🙂

 

[DrEnderW]

I have been working as a lab tech for a few years. There have been a few recent threads about how difficult it can be to land this position out of college, but there has also been great advice floating around about contacting PI's directly.

Research has been a wonderful job option for me not only because I enjoy it, but also because it's a job that is more flexible when it comes to time off for interviews etc. For example, I have interviews that are all lined up in the coming weeks and I now work weekends to compensate. I have scheduled my interviews on Tuesdays/Wednesdays so that I can take advantage of the cheapest airfare without using vacation time 😎

I highly recommend this as well if you have the interest and are able to land a spot. Obviously, that is easier said than done, especially in some locations. It provides an income while significantly boosting your app not only for med school, but residency as well. Without a doubt, research makes you more competitive for med school and residency so it's a nice double whammy to pay the bills and augment your CV. Having this experience can make finding research in med school easier, which is essentially a requirement for some programs/ specialties.

I also tutored basic sciences and the MCAT for a few hours a week on the side. It put a couple hundred extra dollars in my pocket every month which was nice to have. Again, this looks good for rounding out an application. I am continuing to tutor via the same company while in med school.

 

[ciestar]

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[stranger1]

Hi OP,

I'm doing the same thing. I currently work as a CNA and couldn't quit bc I have to pay my rent. The job honestly was great experience but too physically demanding for me.

You just have to keep applying to jobs. The job market is difficult but you have to keep trying. I spent over a year applying to research positions and I finally got one. It is really difficult for those who don't have a ton of experience, but I am happy I didn't give up.

 

[phunky]

Being a full time research assistant is awesome!

 

[ciestar]

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[aesculapian]

I imagine it is! I just cannot find anything I'm qualified for.

Is it financially possible for you to do research as a volunteer while you're working another [perhaps less satisfying] job to pay the bills? You could do that to get some experience, and that might eventually help you get a full-time job as an RA.

 

[sunflower18]

Scribe? Tutor? Teachers aide? You said you wanted to stay in the medical field so scribing might be the best of those three.

How far of a train ride? I really don't think research positions will look at your address when considering you!

Edit: just reread your post and had totally misunderstood your issue with finding research jobs. My bad!!! I agree with the advice above -- offer to volunteer!

 

[ciestar]

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