What kind of job should I get next year?

[GujuMD]

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I applied this year but I do not think I am going to get in because I had only one interview. I am going to retake the MCAT in April and already see improvement in my weak area (verbal). I am graduating in May, and have no idea what to do next year. I do not know what kind of job should I get in order to make my application look good- I was thinking about working in a research lab, or a clinical lab. How do I get more clinical exposure and get paid at the same time? I will be getting a bachelors of science in genetics.

Any suggestions?

 

[futuremd22283]

My advice would be to take an emergency training course, then get a job. An EMT-B course is only about a semester long and pretty easy. I got my EMT-B in the fall then starting working at an emergency room in November. I've gotten a lot of experience and the doctors are all willing to help out a student. At my last interview, the fourth year student that was interviewing me was blown away by the things I had already seen and assisted with. It has been a great thing for me, and it pays decent, lol. Good luck.

 

[DoctorFunk]

I second the idea that an EMT-B and work in an ER or other clinical setting can improve your application (assuming that clinical work is your application's weak point). If you have no research experience either, it might not hurt to submit your CV to a wide range of medical researchers at your university. Don't worry so much about research topics as long as they are scientific...I found that the interviewers I encountered were more interested in you coming away from a research opportunity having learned something about the scientific process and scientific thinking.

I also worked in social work for a couple years during undergrad and found it to be a very rewarding job that you can get with little to no prior experience.

 

[chookie]

Do yourself a favor - get a research job! What my boss (clinical direcor of a big NYC psych hospital) said to me was, "Med schools look for researchers to bring in more money". (Unfortunately, the work I am doing for her is not research-based -- which is probably why I am having no luck this year). Most big teaching hospitals have web sites specifically for job applicants - just click on the "Employment" link or whatever and look for RA jobs within your skillset. Even if you have to volunteer for a while - get your name published, however you can. It might help to take a phlebotomy class also, so if you need to draw blood for clinical studies you can offer that skill as well. Good luck!

 

[Spankete87]

I would say to do the phlebotomy class and try to do clinical research. This way you're getting research experience and clinical experience at the same time! The other thing that you could do, if you get really lucky to find something like this, is to be a medical assistant. I was a medical assistant at a private derm office without having a medical assistant/RN degree! I just happened to get lucky. I got do draw blood, take histories, write prescriptions, assist in surgeries, administer local anesthesia, chart, do post-op calls, etc. It was fantastic and I loved it! But I don't think you come by that kind of opportunity very often......

 

[utdallasguy2006]

I'm in the same boat as well.


However, I still plan on taking classes in Fall 06/Spring 07, so I may have to choose something that allows me flexible hours. Having said that, should I look towards the EMT-B/clinical setting, or opt for a research position, even if it is a laboratory assistant position (since I don't have much research experience)?

 

[utdallasguy2006]

buMp.

 

[frootloop]

I second a job in clinical research. They involve research and familiarize you with research-related issues such as compliance, etc. while still giving you patient contact and exposure to the hospital environment. "Research coordinator" and "patient coordinator" positions at academic medical institutions are readily available to recent college grads, and the money is slightly better than being a lab tech to my knowledge. Plus, talking about this research at interviews is often impressive. I have been working as a research coordinator for only two months now, and I think it was largely responsible for my acceptance- my interviewers seemed to eat it up.

Nothing is written in stone, though. Do whatever interests you. However, I would warn against getting involved in basic science research and expecting it to carry your application. Many interviewers/ adcoms won't care too much, and if you are lacking in clinical experience it will prove a total waste of time as far as getting into med school goes.

 

[LadyWolverine]

Just my 2 cents...

DON'T get a research job. This is what I did, fresh out of college. I went to the University of Washington and worked in the dept. of medicine for 2+ years. As naive as I was, I was overworked, undercompensated, and starry-eyed about my chances of getting into UW after putting in a couple of years of hard work. I figured, "They'll see how serious I am" by relocating across the country, working crazy hours for peanuts, getting my name on pubs, and getting recs from senior faculty.

Pardon my french, but it didn't do sh**.

I ended up not getting in. In retrospect, this experience taught me a lot. Research is all well and good; however, if you are an aspiring physician, you're going to have all the time in the world to do more meaningful research than you will in ONE YEAR OFF between undergrad and med school. Plus, you won't even be starting a project until you have graduated - at that point, you will be sending in your AMCAS app and won't really have anything worthwhile to put on it. Plus, a lot of labs won't hire you for only a year.

If I were you, and I had a year to work, I would do something more lucrative than research. Work for a large business or a law or consulting firm, where they pay well and have good benefits. Do something medically unrelated - as I said before, you'll have plenty of time for research once you are a doctor. I think that this will also give you something interesting and different to talk about during your interviews. And you will also have time for clinical experience (for example, shadowing or hospital volunteering).

Take it from someone who's been there. I did the research gig. It was interesting, I will admit. But I don't think the payoff was necessarily worth the effort that such a position requires. I felt less important/effective in the lab than my co-workers, as I was by far the youngest and he only non-MD/PhD. It was extremely humbling (and not always in a good way) to realize that you are surrounded by people who understand a whole lot more than you do. I was frustrated a lot, and after some time, I began to lose interest because there were few rewards.

For the past year, I have held a "non-science" job, where I get all the hours I want and get paid more than twice what I was making as a scientist. And it's FAAAAAAR less stressful. There is no doubt in my mind that I still have a lot to contribute to the research community...I just think that I will have more to offer once I am an MD. And I will also have significantly less debt, because I chose a position that pays well and offers the opportunity for significant savings. And it certainly didn't hurt my chances of getting in - I was accepted this time around.

Please take this to heart. Unless you are dead-set on pursuing a particular research project, think long and hard about your motivations for going into research. I think that AdComms can tell if you took a job just so it'll "look good" on your application. And they will also know that a few months of research really doesn't mean squat. Don't waste your time...it really does = money. Good luck.

 

[utdallasguy2006]

Seeing as how my undergrad GPA was sub 3.0, I doubt I'd have much of a chance getting a decent position at any major business or law firm; my background is totally bio; even with my GPA, the fact that I do have some lab experience/skills and familiarity with the field, may mean that I'd still have a better shot at finding one of these clinical research positions. The adcoms can easily raise red flags with my background, but as I'm taking my postbacc classes right now, I'm just trying to find what job might be most appropriate for someone in my situation. Thanks for the 2 cents, though.

Just my 2 cents...

DON'T get a research job. This is what I did, fresh out of college. I went to the University of Washington and worked in the dept. of medicine for 2+ years. As naive as I was, I was overworked, undercompensated, and starry-eyed about my chances of getting into UW after putting in a couple of years of hard work. I figured, "They'll see how serious I am" by relocating across the country, working crazy hours for peanuts, getting my name on pubs, and getting recs from senior faculty.

Pardon my french, but it didn't do sh**.

I ended up not getting in. In retrospect, this experience taught me a lot. Research is all well and good; however, if you are an aspiring physician, you're going to have all the time in the world to do more meaningful research than you will in ONE YEAR OFF between undergrad and med school. Plus, you won't even be starting a project until you have graduated - at that point, you will be sending in your AMCAS app and won't really have anything worthwhile to put on it. Plus, a lot of labs won't hire you for only a year.

If I were you, and I had a year to work, I would do something more lucrative than research. Work for a large business or a law or consulting firm, where they pay well and have good benefits. Do something medically unrelated - as I said before, you'll have plenty of time for research once you are a doctor. I think that this will also give you something interesting and different to talk about during your interviews. And you will also have time for clinical experience (for example, shadowing or hospital volunteering).

Take it from someone who's been there. I did the research gig. It was interesting, I will admit. But I don't think the payoff was necessarily worth the effort that such a position requires. I felt less important/effective in the lab than my co-workers, as I was by far the youngest and he only non-MD/PhD. It was extremely humbling (and not always in a good way) to realize that you are surrounded by people who understand a whole lot more than you do. I was frustrated a lot, and after some time, I began to lose interest because there were few rewards.

For the past year, I have held a "non-science" job, where I get all the hours I want and get paid more than twice what I was making as a scientist. And it's FAAAAAAR less stressful. There is no doubt in my mind that I still have a lot to contribute to the research community...I just think that I will have more to offer once I am an MD. And I will also have significantly less debt, because I chose a position that pays well and offers the opportunity for significant savings. And it certainly didn't hurt my chances of getting in - I was accepted this time around.

Please take this to heart. Unless you are dead-set on pursuing a particular research project, think long and hard about your motivations for going into research. I think that AdComms can tell if you took a job just so it'll "look good" on your application. And they will also know that a few months of research really doesn't mean squat. Don't waste your time...it really does = money. Good luck.

 

[wannabedoc34]

bump

any other ideas?

 

[musiclink213]

My plan for next year is teaching. I'm taking my liscensing exams in about a week, but I heard they're really not that bad. THen I have to decide if I would want to teach biology or chem, but I'm leaning towards chem.

My reasoning for teaching instead of working in a lab is as such: I'd get paid more. (great thing to have more money for med school). I'd work less hours (8-3 instead of 9-5, and only 5 days a week). I'd get vacations. The biggie for me was that I would get full medical, dental, and perscription coverage. That's really important for me. I would also be able to take personal days or sick days and call in a sub for those days. I also don't like being in a lab, just my personality.

Then again, I have absolutely no experience in this whole reapplying business. But I don't see why you would get a job in research if you don't want to, with the logic that it would look good on your app if you're applying the coming cycle since you really won't be able to talk about that experience on the AMCAS since presumably, you won't start until after you graduate, and if you send the AMCAS out in June, there really isn't any time to mention it. Unless you talk about it on interviews, I guess.

 

[flabs]

I gotta say that i feel that Lady Wolverine's comments on research are quite correct in a lot of ways - but I feel that the reason it may not have worked for her was for her own stated reason in that adcoms can "see right through you". In essence, Lady's disdain for the research committee was seen. I'm sorry, just the psychologist in me.

First of all research isn't for everyone, that's quite apparent. But to overlook the benefits of what one can learn and experience in the lab as "not worth it" - due to frustrations or poor pay, would be selling research down the river. I've worked as an SRA at a well-known research institute for the past 1.5 years. I've experienced everything Lady said in her statement "poor pay, underappreciation, stress, over-worked, condesencion, etc" Yeah, it's not easy. But what you take away from the experience is invaluable. Besides, most jobs are gonna have this anyway.

I know that if I never set another foot in a reserch lab for the rest of my life -as a (future) physician, I will at least have some understanding, some concept, of how the techniques and therapies I'm using were first cultivated. I promise you, if you are a curious, hard-working individual who can put up with difficult times, (eg. most research doesn't work!!!!!! That's why there's research. If we used just what we postulated to be correct, then we'd be wrong a lot!!!) then I'd say give it a try.

Yeah, you can still get in to Med school without research. Look at each school's web site - they advertise how diverse a student population they have. But if I'm a PhD or some doc on the adcom committe interviewing you - I'll most likely be interested in a topic based on scientific research and not tort reform.

My advice, go try it. The world needs more people asking questions. That and when your a doc someday (which you will be), you'll know to appreciate all the work that went in to you being able to properly treat patients.

 

[RxnMan]

I vote for clinical research jobs as well. It can be hit or miss, depending on the lab. One guy has been here 4 months and he has his name on two papers. I have worked through several medical research fields over 5 years and only just recently have I written something that will get me into PubMed. The pay is terrible, but it does get better with a M.S.. There is some condesencion, but if you're in a good place, then that doesn't happen. You sit at the interface between docs, patients, and other health professionals, and this can be great, if you take advantage of it. Use the opportunity to shadow lots of docs, and lots of different docs. Do a few presentations, write a few posters, and you've got something that will help you get into med school as well as land a good residency - those pubs make the difference between good candidates and great ones.

 

[GujuMD]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. They have been very helpful.

 

[GWmdwannabe]

My plan for next year is teaching. I'm taking my liscensing exams in about a week, but I heard they're really not that bad. THen I have to decide if I would want to teach biology or chem, but I'm leaning towards chem.

My reasoning for teaching instead of working in a lab is as such: I'd get paid more. (great thing to have more money for med school). I'd work less hours (8-3 instead of 9-5, and only 5 days a week). I'd get vacations. The biggie for me was that I would get full medical, dental, and perscription coverage. That's really important for me. I would also be able to take personal days or sick days and call in a sub for those days. I also don't like being in a lab, just my personality.

Then again, I have absolutely no experience in this whole reapplying business. But I don't see why you would get a job in research if you don't want to, with the logic that it would look good on your app if you're applying the coming cycle since you really won't be able to talk about that experience on the AMCAS since presumably, you won't start until after you graduate, and if you send the AMCAS out in June, there really isn't any time to mention it. Unless you talk about it on interviews, I guess.

I was a 2005 grad, and didn't get into any med schools or post-bac/SMP programs for fall 2005, so I have been teaching high school science. Since I teach at a private school (my alma mater), my B.S. is sufficient - I didn't need to have either a master's or any type of certification.

I'll be going to a grad program next year, and several physicians with whom I have spoken (mostly parents of my students 😛 ) said that teaching looks good on a med school application.

That said, DON'T go into teaching if you think it is going to be super easy. While the school day may only be 8-3 you're foolish if you think teaching is an 8-3 job. Depending on the school, you may have non-teaching duties (athletics, departmental, residential if you're at a boarding school) but you will certainly have class prep duties. Teaching is a job where you work full strength from 8-3, then you have to bring all of your prep work for the next day home (it's hard to write lesson plans while lecturing). A first year teacher has an even more difficult time, as you won't have lecture notes and tests/quizzes from previous years. I think teaching is a great job to have (pre-med or not), but be aware of what you're getting yourself into.

 

[TeNa]

How did you go about getting a teaching position?

 

[musiclink213]

How did you go about getting a teaching position?

I think it might vary depending on where you are, what you want to teach, and the demand. As a general rule, math and science teachers are always needed. I'm in NYC, and I just took my licensing exams yesterday. Once the scores are in, from what I understand I send the scores to Albany to be authorized or something, and then go to a career fair type thing for the NYC public schools. You get to interview with the principal's right there, and if they like you, they might invite you back for another interview or offer you a job right on the spot.

It varies from state to state, and if you want to teach private or public school. I don't htink you need any exams to teach in a private school. Again, it depends on your state. Some places might require you to be an education major, or have a master's before you can teach. Best bet would be to find your state's department of education website and do some research on the types of teaching liscenses available.

 

[GujuMD]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I still haven't planned anything. I will have tome for that after the 22nd.

 

[heyimnick]

I saw someone previously mentioned that when looking for clinical research positions, titles like 'patient coordinator' and 'research coordinator' are positions that are attainable for recent graduates or those with little to no experience.


Would something like a 'clinical data specialist' seem like a beneficial position?

Here are the job duties, as per UT-Southwestern's employment page:

1. Identifies inclusion/exclusion criteria, reads medical charts and enters data on new subjects; if they meet registration requirements in research study, enrolls subjects and instructs them in protocol procedures. Submits confidential records and research materials to study group reviewers at other institutions when applicable.
2. Prepares statistical information for each subject entered in or removed from research study.
3. Assesses and documents subjects' response to treatment through physical assessment and/or data analysis; reports any evidence of toxicity to drugs or chemicals used in treatment of subjects.
4. Reviews data to determine treatment modifications and alterations between research study plan and actual subject care.
5. Confers with physicians and nurses to obtain statistical informa- tion concerning subjects when they have tests performed or receive treatment elsewhere.
6. May assist with preparation of annual or terminal summary for each research study as well as other required information for Institutional Review Board.
7. Prepares data of any new research study for Institutional Review Board and informed consent for subjects' families.
8. Purchases office equipment and laboratory supplies maintaining inventory and expense records.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.