What kind of glide year job would be best for a post-bacc?

[Tofurkey]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello all my pre-allo friends,

I thought I'd ask your hallowed opinions on what sort of glide year job would be best for me (a post-bacc, former J.D.) during my upcoming glide year (post-August MCAT.) Of course I'd like to work in the medical field, but to date have not been able to find anything too good. I'd be very interested in working in the media field, perhaps as a reporter at a newspaper/ magazine (I'm an Enlish major too) or at a social services agency or something like that. I also was looking at education-related jobs, such as admissions counselor/ job counselor at universities or working at the study abroad office, etc.

Do you think it would be bad to work in a non-medicallly related glide year job if you're a post-bacc (especially a hated J.D.)? In other words, do I need to further prove my devotion to medicine during my glide year or it it ok to work a non-medical job (it sure won't be law-related.) There are so many interesting non-medical jobs out there that I'd like to do, but I'd only do it if it won't prejudice me in the admissions process. I am concerned about this since I have such a non-trad background.

Anyone have any particularly interesting or fun jobs they did in their glide year? I'd love to be a reporter for the Chicago Tribune or the Chicago Sun Times, or lead tours at the Art Insititute or zoo. But I imagine these sorts of jobs are hard to come by.

Thanks,

T

 

[bigdan]

occupational therapy, of course 😉

dc

 

[Athomeonarock]

Ive been havin a hell of a time getting a job. About ready to go work at best buy. hope you fare better

 

[Kazema]

Personally I'm going the Americorps route (I'll be in Rochester). It doesn't pay much (I'll qualify for food stamps!) but I'm counting on the experiences I'll have being worth it. It gives me a chance to develop leadership and communication skills and if I get the placement I'm hoping for, more experience working with people suffering from mental illness. And it certainly doesn't hurt to have that as a post-secondary experience.

I'm no expert, but I imagine that as long as you have a job that allows you to develop skills that you feel will be relevent to being a doctor in the future, it'll be fine. Being a journalist can help you develop strong communication skills and a proactive attitude. Being a waiter or salesperson improves your interpersonal skills and multitasking ability. Etc.

 

[Twitch]

Hang in there man. Most reports on the economy are showing a positive upswing.

Keep sight of the prize and just wing it out with whatever is bearable perhaps even somewhat enjoyable!

Good Luck!
-Y Marker

 

[Tofurkey]

I'd really like to work at an animal shelter as an animal adoption specialist, anyone know how to get such a job?

Thanks,

t

 

[oldtimer]

I think it depends on how much clinical experience you have. If you are somewhat lacking in that area, getting a medically-related job would be a boost for you during your application year. But if you have a lot already, you can probably get a any job. I think adcoms would understand if you take an 80k per year lawyer job versus a 20k lab tech job.

 

[leechy]

I think it depends on how much clinical experience you have. If you are somewhat lacking in that area, getting a medically-related job would be a boost for you during your application year. But if you have a lot already, you can probably get a any job. I think adcoms would understand if you take an 80k per year lawyer job versus a 20k lab tech job.

Yeah, I agree with oldtimer... I'm gonna try to use my year to shore up on some application deficiencies, so I don't get bombarded with "why don't you have enough clinical / research / you name it experience?" during interviews. Of course, people who already have sufficient medical experiences should do whatever they want, however un-medical it may be. A glide year is a once in a lifetime kind of thing, in my opinion - I mean, you have a career waiting for you down the road, so you don't have to worry about resume gaps the way someone following a nonmedical career would have to. You can do crazy random stuff this year if you want...

One thing that I'd recommend is not taking a job that's TOO intense... like those 60 hr/week business jobs. You want a job where you'll have the flexibility to leave for 10 med school interviews without it being an issue. It's tempting to try to hide the med school thing when applying to non-medical jobs, but it runs you into problems later on (like when you have to take time off to interview)- so personally, I would admit it from the get-go. Of course, then you might have a tougher time getting a job... so I'm not sure.

Hey, it's funny - I'd love to work as a journalist as well... I just don't think I could get a job as one 🙁 If there's one thing I've learned from months of searching for jobs, it's that connections matter a lot more than other qualifications (if you don't have previous experience in that area). It's unfortunate, but it's the way of the world... and it's incidentally one of the many (but lesser) reasons I'm doing medicine. I don't want to face unemployment the way I've already done in the past.

Anyway, good luck to you! I'm sure you can shape yourself an awesome year!

 

[oldtimer]

Adcoms don't view all applicants the same way. You have to use a different set of criteria for a 22 year old college grad versus a 30 year old second-career applicant. That 30 year old may have a mortgage, car payments, child care, etc expenses or other responsibilities that would make it very difficult to get by on a low paying medically-related job. You have to give adcoms more credit for being understanding and accommodating. I would also be wary about leaving your current job just for the sake of making yourself look better on your application. What if you don't get in? What's your fall back plan? If you kept your current job, that is your fall back plan. If you didn't, then you may not only have to reapply but try to find a higher paying job. As a professional, you know how long and difficult it is to find a good job.

As I was applying, I kept my non-medical job because it paid a lot more than any temporary medically-related job and no one asked me why during my interviews. I had no problem getting accepted.