What kind of jobs did everyone have during their gap year?

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Jambob

Jambob

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Having a tough time trying to get a job as a dental assistant w/o certification and graduating with a degree in biology the only thing I can think of is research. I have a year of experience in pharmaceutical research and it wasn't all that glamorous lol, just wondering what you all did.
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If you're waiting to matriculate, find whatever job allows you to save the most amount of money as a rainy day fund.

If youre waiting to be accepted, ideally it would be something dental related (paid), but those can be difficult to find, understandably. Research would be a good option with additional dental shadowing when possible. If neither is an option, just find any job and do shadowing on the side.

From 2015-2016, none of my jobs were dental related, but the interviewing faculty didn't question it because they knew I was in a financial rut.

Edit: Research assistant and medical assistant.
 
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I graduated in May of 2014 and while studying for the DAT, I worked part-time at VCU's Dept of Orthodontics as an assistant which was a fantastic experience. In October, I switched to a full-time job doing research, getting publications while applying/interviewing for schools throughout the year. With the money I saved, I've been slowly using it for traveling whenever I've had a break in school.
 
Landscaping, youth crew leader/mentor, UPS, and commercial fishing. If your stats are good don't worry about it being dental/medical related. Do what you would like during your gap year, it will be the last time you have this much flexibility most likely.
 
High school science teacher! Super easy to get certified depending on what state you live in. I just had to pay the Florida Department of Education $180 and I was good to go
 
Teacher few years back, mid-level manager a year ago, and now "unemployed" lol (actually been shadowing dentists past 5-6 months)
 
Currently working 8-4 as a project assistant for the government of my province. I'm applying this year, so technically not my gap year.
 
Veterinary Technician, been working as one for 2 years and its actually a great job for anyone wanting to go into the medical field. Started out working in the kennel and now I work as a tech. You don't even have to be a registered vet tech to work as one in North Carolina, it varies by state though. It's great because you get to do a lot of stuff that you wouldn't necessarily be able to do in human medicine without a degree like giving medications, helping with x-rays, giving vaccines, etc.
 
If you like the outdoors try looking for jobs at parks, (county, state, or with luck, national) these jobs love to get young people with science degrees. I got one and straight up said I wanted to be a dentist in the interview and they were cool with it. They pay will suck and you probably won't get housing or benefits right away but the jobs can be cool/exciting.
 
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I am currently working for a small company in the chemical industry. Get to utilize my Chemistry degree in my everyday job.
 
Work for kaplan or pr if you did well on the dat.

Decent job for $20 an hr
 
Currently a research tech. in oral biology-related field (craniofacial morphogenesis).
 
Assistant winemaker and then won a State Dept Fellowship for a year.
 
Tutoring is the easiest way to make money and add some sort of supplement to your application if you're waiting for an acceptance or even before matriculation. I'm currently a math teacher... Never had any job dental related.
 
On call job as an uncertified Dental assistant where I Shadowed. It was temporary but the office I worked at ( the doctor has 2 offices) was not getting as much new customers. So now its an on call job. Currently looking for another job, research specifically, but no luck there yet. 🙁
 
Ortho assistant. Called a bunch of offices in my home town and asked if they would be willing to train me and keep me on for the year. It's been great so far.
 
Flute instructor and Manager in training (MIT) at Abercrombie kids ($14/hr for the (MIT) position; no retail/management experience needed; 4 yr degree required; must work at least 40 hrs per week)


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I worked as a technology consultant in a management consulting firm and now I'm working in a healthcare consulting position at a hospital. It's been fun and as much as I'll miss the income, I can't wait to finally start dental school !!
 
Jambob said:
Having a tough time trying to get a job as a dental assistant w/o certification and graduating with a degree in biology the only thing I can think of is research. I have a year of experience in pharmaceutical research and it wasn't all that glamorous lol, just wondering what you all did.
Click to expand...

I was a registered nurse during my 2 gap yrs but that's just me. Any job where you get exposure to healthcare is good when applying
 
Dental/sterilization assistant by day, science tutor by night.
 
gators2014 said:
I was a registered nurse during my 2 gap yrs but that's just me. Any job where you get exposure to healthcare is good when applying
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I think any job to show that you don't lazily stay in your bed is good. Doesn't need to be healthcare-related, you can get that in other volunteer/shadowing opportunities.
 
htdt said:
I think any job to show that you don't lazily stay in your bed is good. Doesn't need to be healthcare-related, you can get that in other volunteer/shadowing opportunities.
Click to expand...

I'm a dental student now and I have talked to administrators and they agree with me but to each their own
 
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