What is the crappiest job and best job you had before deciding on med school?

[bipolardoc]

What is the crappiest jobs post the age of 28, for those of us that old did any of you have for an extended period, any one with six figure jobs and just overall great jobs they had before applying and deciding to take the jump into med school?

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[Megan503]

Working as a CNA in a nursing home - enough said!!!!

This did influence me to pursue medicine instead of nursing though, so I guess it was beneficial in that aspect.

 

[DrJD]

Crappiest job - worked in a lab that test horse urine for different drugs, hundreds of containers of urine per day had to be emptied into a sink

 

[bryce]

Worst job ever... .50 cal gunner on fuel convoys, - in Fallujah! Yet, paridoxically, prolly the best as well... Dude!

 

[bipolardoc]

Worst job ever... .50 cal gunner on fuel convoys, - in Fallujah! Yet, paridoxically, prolly the best as well... Dude!

Thats not crappy, thats honorable, any other crappy jobs out there?

 

[Nevadanteater]

Worst: For about 8 months or so I transcribed documents into braille and large-print for people with varying degrees of blindness. I was allowed to rock out to music as much as I liked, but otherwise was just stuck in front of a computer for hours and hours on end.

Ugh. Though now I'm a crazy fast typist.

Best: Kitchen manager of vegetarian cafe/artist co-op.

 

[QofQuimica]

My worst job: I spent a summer working at an agricultural research center. You have not smelled bad until you have spent an entire day picking and sorting rotten, diseased tomatoes in Florida in August. No amount of washing gets that smell off you, but at least the flies stop following you after you get a few miles away. Seriously, I felt nauseated at the very sight of tomatoes for years after that.

My best job: another research job abroad that was just amazingly cool. It came up at every med school interview.

 

[dannye3]

A company called Fleetwash.

Worked ~50 - 60 hrs/wk, they usually didn't give me the right amount of hours on my check (work 55, get paid for 32). They hardly reimbursed me and when they did, it was wrong, and hours weren't counted as over-time.

Also, it involved washing trucks (18 wheelers etc.) even when it's one degree above freezing.

All-in-all, probably the worst job I've ever had and will have. The actual work was fun, though.

 

[Bamish]

This was some years ago (when I was a little younger)....but I put in water and sewer lines. And let me tell you, trying to repair a broken sewer main is....pretty crappy (bad pun I know). The initial mess caused when one is hit (by mistake) by a backhoe is pretty rank too. Anyway, this was the "crappiest" job I've had.

 

[NTF]

Best job: Nurse's aide at a cancer hospital.

It was also the crappiest - LITERALLY.

Two words...Clostridium Difficile.

 

[txprodigal]

cubicle and excel running comps for 9-11 hours/day

 

[Bleurberry]

I worked at a company that would receive calls and emails requesting free info about apartments for rent and then we'd set them up for an appointment to view it. We'd make money by collecting a referral fee on the backend of the deal, and it was awfully boring. My brain had hinted at signs of atrophy after month 3.

 

[student1799]

I once had a job at a newspaper clipping service, where I was supposed to flip through newspapers from all over the country looking for articles about "solid waste management." (I guess that meant garbage dumps.) But they fired me, because I kept reading all the newspapers.

 

[Loon]

Worst: I worked for a video game company and hated it. The only good thing about it was that people would ooh and aah over the name of the company.

Best: Either the part-time gig I had doing weddings or the translation job I have now.

 

[blueflower77]

Currently work as an ICU nurse intern. It's not the job, it's the people I work with - angry, caddy, out-to-get-everyone-just-to-make-yourself-feel better people. Yikes.

 

[bipolardoc]

I once had a job at a newspaper clipping service, where I was supposed to flip through newspapers from all over the country looking for articles about "solid waste management." (I guess that meant garbage dumps.) But they fired me, because I kept reading all the newspapers.

, was this post or pre-college that is funny as heck if its true...

 

[bipolardoc]

Currently work as an ICU nurse intern. It's not the job, it's the people I work with - angry, caddy, out-to-get-everyone-just-to-make-yourself-feel better people. Yikes.

can people please give stats when giving these crappy jobs, like degrees, age if not too personal and when they did the crappy job pre or post degree. This thread turned out to be awesome, everytime I click to read the updates the stuff I read makes me smile, works better than my Luvox meds, lol...

 

[doctor712]

Crappiest. My first job in Hollywood: Tom Arnold's personal assistant!
Anyone up for 3am Wendy's food run with a side order of tampons!?!?!?
Tom is actually a really sweet man, but the job wasn't fun.

Best job: My last job in Hollywood: Writing for one of the most famous TV characters in the world!

Next job: Pediatric Anesthesiologist.

Dr. 712

 

[murfettie]

crappy:
fighting the chinese government trying to publish a HIV magazine.. while not getting arrested or get kicked out of the country.

best:
aerobic pole dance instructor.

 

[bipolardoc]

crappy:
fighting the chinese government trying to publish a HIV magazine.. while not getting arrested or get kicked out of the country.

best:
aerobic pole dance instructor.

what kind of education did you have for such diverse jobs...

 

[TexasMedic86]

I would have to say the worst job I have had was working at an erectile disfunction clinic. lol. I calculated and compounded all of the meds given to the patients for the doctor. The worst part of the job was I was on call 5 nights a week in case a patient had a priaprism. If I got called in I had to inject phenolepinephrine into the patient's penis. The best job I have had was working 911 on an ambulance as a paramedic.

 

[bipolardoc]

I would have to say the worst job I have had was working at an erectile disfunction clinic. lol. I calculated and compounded all of the meds given to the patients for the doctor. The worst part of the job was I was on call 5 nights a week in case a patient had a priaprism. If I got called in I had to inject phenolepinephrine into the patient's penis. The best job I have had was working 911 on an ambulance as a paramedic.

Lol, to be honest sounds pretty interesting clinically. What title/qualifcation was that you needed for such a position.

 

[datsa]

What is the crappiest jobs post the age of 28, for those of us that old did any of you have for an extended period, any one with six figure jobs and just overall great jobs they had before applying and deciding to take the jump into med school?

Are you asking if that crappy job made us want to go into med school or just the crappy job in general. I've had lots of crappy jobs, but none made me want to go into medicine. I ran a public free clinic for many years and started a free clinic and assisted in another clinic, before deciding that I wanted to be a lead provider rather than just assist. I was frustrated by the fact that I could see more could be done, and no one wanted to do it, because they had their own issues and obligations with which to deal.

 

[kiyomander]

Worst job: Toss up- worked as a bill-collector one summer in undergrad. Got cussed out on the phone on a daily basis. Worked as an assistant to a psycho British film director. Got cussed out regularly. Rent "Swimming with Sharks" if you'd like an approximation of the experience.

Best job: Writer for a popular children's television series.

 

[dragonfly99]

worst job: telemarketing. It actually was for a charity...I got a list of local physicians and attorneys and other prominent local people who I was supposed to call and supposed to ask them to be locked up in one of those fake jails and have their friends "bail" them out (i.e. donate lots of money). One of them was the father of one of my high school classmates from several years prior...his wife answered the phone and was p.o.'ed, wanting to know where I had gotten the telephone number. LOL. Now I understand...privacy can be hard to come by for those private practice internists. Anyway, I felt like crap especially because I had started working for this temp agency with the stated limitation that I'd do anything EXCEPT telemarketing. They basically lied to me. It WAS a telemarketing job...it was just telemarketing for a charity.

 

[CultureDoc]

I once had a job at a newspaper clipping service, where I was supposed to flip through newspapers from all over the country looking for articles about "solid waste management." (I guess that meant garbage dumps.) But they fired me, because I kept reading all the newspapers.

LOL! I totally would have gotten fired too. I wonder how much of life has been sucked into the vortex of reading something when I was actually just supposed to be cleaning up or looking for something specific?!

Crappiest. My first job in Hollywood: Tom Arnold's personal assistant!
Anyone up for 3am Wendy's food run with a side order of tampons!?!?!?
Tom is actually a really sweet man, but the job wasn't fun.

Best job: My last job in Hollywood: Writing for one of the most famous TV characters in the world!

Next job: Pediatric Anesthesiologist.

Dr. 712

Ok, that was thread-ender material. I was going to say that my worst job was caddying (stupid, cheapskate, chauvinist, divot-making, cigar-smoking golfers!) and my best job was as a library assistant (Books rock. student1799 - I think I read more than I shelved! Good thing I generally worked after the librarians went home for the night!), but nevermind.

 

[bipolardoc]

Worst job: Toss up- worked as a bill-collector one summer in undergrad. Got cussed out on the phone on a daily basis. Worked as an assistant to a psycho British film director. Got cussed out regularly. Rent "Swimming with Sharks" if you'd like an approximation of the experience.

Best job: Writer for a popular children's television series.

lol you got verbally abused alot in your jobs, dont go into peds, they you will get cussed out by all the kids, lol...

 

[lapoema]

I'm not technically a student doctor yet, but may I participate? I've had some doozies...

Bagel shop, scrubbing floor mats (lasted about two months)

Pet store, cleaning fish tanks (had to use my mouth to siphon dirty water!) (Three months)

Telephone surveys, mind-numbingly boring -- my mom worked with me and lasted about one week before she quit from boredom. (Two years)

Business to business sales -- selling telephone surveys (One week, then the boss decided I wasn't selling enough and moved me!)

Graphic designer for Girl Scout council-- actually the job was great, but I was subjected to daily abuse from my psychologically disturbed co-worker. No joke-- she was scary, a true sociopath. I heard her telling weird lies about me! Thought she was going to follow me home or something! Management did nothing, so I quit! (Three months)

Whoopee for living in an economically depressed area with a communications degree!

Edit-- I am 28 now, so these were all after college graduation. Does that count?

 

[nontrdgsbuiucmd]

Ok, that was thread-ender material. I was going to say that my worst job was caddying (stupid, cheapskate, chauvinist, divot-making, cigar-smoking golfers!) and my best job was as a library assistant (Books rock. student1799 - I think I read more than I shelved! Good thing I generally worked after the librarians went home for the night!), but nevermind.

That's funny, goes to show different opinions; I was a caddy for I think 4 summers and really liked being outside all the time, got a great (farmer's) tan, paid well for a 12-16 yr old.

Worst - in college as a janitor..old buildings in central IL with no A/C in late summer when I had to wear long pants & boots, temp could hit 85-90 with high humidity, which feels hotter when doing physical labor; I used to carry a large container of ice water to keep from overheating; and then there was the cadaver lab that I cleaned late at night; nothing like seeing a bunch of 2-3 inch cockroaches on the floor next to the trash can full of people parts.

Best - couple would qualify here, current job probably; good salary, great benefits, laid back environment; most coworkers are highly experienced and professional, varied work that requires my level (10+ yrs) of experience in the areas that I do. 9 hr days, basically no extra hrs/weekends needed. Required 8+ yrs relevant experience + MBA

 

[Bellonium]

I'm 27yoa.

My worst job was either:

Working in a seafood/meat department at a grocery store. Smelled like fish all the time no matter how many showers I took

or

Running a Christian Singles dating service on the internet. I'm not religous and had no idea what anyone was ever talking about when they wanted support. I had to answer 500+ religous emails a day. = fast typer.

Best job:

Currently a police officer. Working on my Pre-Med reqs now. Hopefully will be ready to apply for 2012 class.


Wait... maybe my worst job was working as a Deputy for the Sheriff's office and having to work in the jail. That was terrible too. HAHA

 

[student1799]

Running a Christian Singles dating service on the internet. I'm not religous and had no idea what anyone was ever talking about when they wanted support. I had to answer 500+ religous emails a day. = fast typer.

A non-religious person answering 500 religious emails a day?????? Yep, that definitely sounds like a crappy job to me. (In fact, it would be pretty crappy to answer 500 non-religious emails a day. Wouldn't you get terrible hand cramps?)

Might I ask why you decided to take that job? Did it pay especially well, or were you THAT broke at the time?

 

[CultureDoc]

That's funny, goes to show different opinions; I was a caddy for I think 4 summers and really liked being outside all the time, got a great (farmer's) tan, paid well for a 12-16 yr old.

Point/Counterpoint! My opinion of caddying would likely be quite different if (a) I was a boy (there were like 2 girl caddies at my club . . . and it took me forever to find a "regular" who didn't ogle me and who didn't feel I was utterly out of my place on the golf course. It was like a time warp to the 1950s!) (b) I didn't disagree with the premise of the job (basically being some rich guy's personal slave) as much as I do. Oh and the pay sucked for me! So many of the guys thought $20 was generous . . . $5/hr for carrying around a giant bag of bricks? I can't believe I lasted 3 summers!

A non-religious person answering 500 religious emails a day?????? Yep, that definitely sounds like a crappy job to me. (In fact, it would be pretty crappy to answer 500 non-religious emails a day. Wouldn't you get terrible hand cramps?)

Might I ask why you decided to take that job? Did it pay especially well, or were you THAT broke at the time?

I was wondering the same. I definitely couldn't have done it!

 

[Bellonium]

A non-religious person answering 500 religious emails a day?????? Yep, that definitely sounds like a crappy job to me. (In fact, it would be pretty crappy to answer 500 non-religious emails a day. Wouldn't you get terrible hand cramps?)

Might I ask why you decided to take that job? Did it pay especially well, or were you THAT broke at the time?

Yes, it was for the money. I was 22 and the money was looking pretty good at the time. But yeah, it was not an enjoyable job. The back hurt more than the hands. Sitting in that chair clacking away at the keyboard. I learned a lot but didn't appreciate what I had when I was doing the work. Now I work much harder for less money. I enjoy the job more though.

 

[Lacheln]

Excellent thread.

I have been lucky in that post-high school I haven't had bad jobs (other than one awful, awful boss, and also eventually burning out on software). In high school I did telemarketing (lasted for 3 months) and herbalife at one point. Both eventually gave me severe moral cramps.

Best jobs by far were sailing instructor and ski patrol...NO $$ there though.

 

[theslave]

I've had several:

Line Worker at Figis: I made boxes for 8 hours a day for 6 months. Got laid off because the factory closed.

Feed Mill Grinder: I ground corn for 8 hours a day for 2 months. I left the job because I hated it. It was not the right fit for me.

Scissor factory worker: I put a blade in, took the blade out, and placed the blade on a conveyor belt for 8 hours a day for 4 months. Got laid off because the factory closed.

Then unemployed for two months.

Got a job as a transporter at a hospital. The job was not anything great, but it got me into the field of health care and I have never looked back.

Then I started college.

Worked as a lab assistant for two years.

Did a summer internship

Did a 1 and 1/2 year long internship at a hospital

Worked as a security guard.

Volunteered as a crises counselor for 1 and a 1/2 years.

Last semester of college I got hired as a medical writer.

Now to get a full-time benefits job with a bio degree? Oh, just please give me a chance...any employer that could use biology skills and knowledge.....I will work the hardest of everyone at the company-------not a single god damn job offer that could use my skills. Now I plan on going to take care of elderly people for a 3rd shift job to pay the bills while work my way to graduate school.

The saying, "life is a bitch and then you die" couldn't be anymore true.

 

[Bellonium]

Scissor factory worker: I put a blade in, took the blade out, and placed the blade on a conveyor belt for 8 hours a day for 4 months. Got laid off because the factory closed.

"Scissor factory worker" haha! That reminds me of my first job working at a pumpkin patch. I was about to stab some people with some scissors if I heard one more person pick out a "Punkin"

See everybody, this is the kind of stuff that will make us that much better of physicians down the road than say... a high schooler who went through the fast-track med program and has never received a W-2.

 

[yokurutu]

..patient care is generally a gross job.

I had cdiff patient shoot cdiff poop to the wall. It had such a pressure build up inside, it literally shoot out of his butthole. Imagine me going into the room for stool collection and once I disrobe the patient, patient goes.."oh..here it comes.." and then PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST!!!!!!
right onto ceiling. (patient was on his stomach). then he lays on side, and shoots once again to the wall. omg. I will never forget the force.

 

[graduate2be]

The worst job that I EVER had was in 1998. I worked for Labor Ready and I was sent on an assignment in N. Houston. I had to clean out these trucks that were used to suck the crap (and everything else) out of the cities sewer system. Though I had a mask, goggles, and a suit, I could not get the smell out of my hair and skin for DAYS.

The best job? That's hard. I was an Army medic from 1989 until 1997; that job put my feet on the path to medical school. The two jobs that I have now are also really cool: I work part time for the Banner Good Samaritan Poison Control Center as a Poison Information Specialist and I work in an HIV vaccinology lab on campus.

 

[yokurutu]

The worst job that I EVER had was in 1998. I worked for Labor Ready and I was sent on an assignment in N. Houston. I had to clean out these trucks that were used to suck the crap (and everything else) out of the cities sewer system. Though I had a mask, goggles, and a suit, I could not get the smell out of my hair and skin for DAYS.

The best job? That's hard. I was an Army medic from 1989 until 1997; that job put my feet on the path to medical school. The two jobs that I have now are also really cool: I work part time for the Banner Good Samaritan Poison Control Center as a Poison Information Specialist and I work in an HIV vaccinology lab on campus.

that sucks to suck crap....................

 

[Valvool]

Crappiest: Grocery store checkout clerk

Best: EMT in rural Alaska

 

[ProLogic]

The best job is the job I'm at now. It's also my first job. Receptionist in a Parish office

 

[skiqueen]

Worst #1: Worked for a summer in the greenhouses at a large nursery. 115 degree heat, stooped over little plants, terribly sore back. Ugh. I was the only non-Latino working there, and developed a huge respect for the individuals who have to make their livings working jobs like that.

Worst #2: Short-order cook at a busy restaurant. Helped me to work fast under pressure! But lots of grease burns and mad customers when food wasn't out fast enough.

 

[wepio]

Worst:

Cell phones sales in terms of unhappiness due to corporate pressure and questionable unethical sales practices)
Plywood factory because I had to do manual labor for 8-hrs straight in a +100-deg mill covered in sawdust, wearing leather apron/gloves/arm sleeves.

Best... none yet.

 

[dgmarma]

WORST: I sold really outdated furniture at Montgomery wards. MAN, those green velor couches sold like hot cakes!!

BEST: I was a network administrator at IBM before deciding to be stay-at-home mom. Both were pretty good gigs!!

 

[COMedic2Doc]

Worst: Being a Laborer for a Temp company vs. Selling Cars (although Selling cars was somewhat enjoyable, just not me)

Best: Contract Instructor for the Military vs. being a Paramedic or ED Tech in a Level II Trauma Center (got to do a ton of exceptional stuff as a Tech in the ER, and as a Medic well you're a Paramedic especially in a good system with good protocols)

 

[gew4am]

Worst: Navy Recruiter in Inglewood, CA--The Hood!

Best: Full-time student. The only benefit of being a veteran is paid tuition.

 

[lastcall]

Crappiest job? Literally---manual disimpaction of a combative, alzheimers pt.
No 'best' job yet..

 

[blueshift]

Crappiest job... that's between packaging food and sorting mail. (shudder)
Best so far... extractions chemist

 

[psychmama]

crappiest - waitress at Pizza Hut!

best (and worst) - labor lawyer for a large publishing company.

 

[BoDiddly]

worst - (during college) summer swim camp instructor... when you are a collegiate swimmer... too many hours at the pool

best - none... that is why I'm changing careers