So I graduated in June and took a few months off to be with my family and travel. Now that its getting into fall I've been looking for a job but have had little luck. I want to do something using my biology degree and I can only work until next june. Does anyone have ideas of what kind of job I should be looking for or any ideas of what I should do? What is everyone else doing on their year off?
What to do on your year off?
- Thread starter jendent
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2006
- Messages
- 1,008
- Reaction score
- 0
I think it will look much better on your part if you actually just take 1 class here and there that will help you when you start dental school. It doesn't look good infront of the adcoms when they see that you haven't been in school for the past year....
- Joined
- May 17, 2006
- Messages
- 745
- Reaction score
- 1
Applied and interviewing for the current cycle... no way you can get a full time job and interview at the same time. So I came back and took some interest courses that I was not able to during undergrad. Why not tutor for a year as the hours are good and the pay is pretty decent, plus you're not stuck in a lab.
- Joined
- May 3, 2006
- Messages
- 142
- Reaction score
- 0
Do something useful for dental applications. I'm working full-time in some research lab that relates to both my undergrad major and the field of dentistry, and taking one recommended class this semester that I wish I had taken earlier before graduating this May.
Good luck!
Good luck!
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2006
- Messages
- 952
- Reaction score
- 10
I didnt take a year off, Im still in school. But you could work at a winery in a laboratory. I know a bunch of my friends did that. Or you could take some more classes and learn how to brew beer. What person doesnt like beer.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2006
- Messages
- 1,080
- Reaction score
- 8
Travel. Go get some international dental experience.
You know, I am in a similar situation. I graduated in 05 and started a different career. I quit in May and applied to dental school and took organic chem. So now I have this year to kill. I have asked several people, mostly dentists, what to do, and they all said the same thing -- do whatever is going to make you the most money! Forget more classes, working in a lab -- get a job that will make you money. You're going to have so much to pay off later, it makes sense to try and make a little now. I got a job at a law firm on Wall Street for the year. Then again, if you don't need the money, travel! Take it easy! Do whatever you want! But if you need the money, then get a job.
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 79
- Reaction score
- 0
i agree w csw... make money. while it may be true that it is difficult to go to interviews w/ a full time job, its certainly not impossiblie. You'll probably have to lie or conceal the truth a little to get the job in the first place (ie. 'I really look foward to advancing my career with Company X') so what does it matter if you make up a few doctors appointments to get to your interviews. You'll feel the heat but you won't get fired. Its def worth it to be able to live a little better once you're in school again.
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2006
- Messages
- 13
- Reaction score
- 0
take a recommended class or two...then see if you can work in a dental office part time. who knows, there could be an office out there willing to train you to chairside assist...something you'll be using in dental school anyways.
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2006
- Messages
- 194
- Reaction score
- 0
I'm in a similar boat. I didn't apply during my junior year because I wanted to take a year off. I'm working part-time in a dental research lab (for good experience, among other things) and part time being a pastry chef (because it is my secret love). I am also taking one class that is recommended by most of my dental schools. I like that I'm not going to burn myself out during this year and I'll be ready to take school on in the fall. I also plan on quitting my job(s) in May and spending the summer travelling, sailing, sleeping, and doing other fun things because I know that the next four years will be rough! *who's with me? anybody else that is taking a summer long vacation ?!?!?* My advice would be to find something that you like (that will also allow you to pay the bills). The suggestion to tutor sounded like a good mix and it would allow you to take classes as well. What about being a TA at the university? Making money is also good advice, but if you're going to do that I would find a dental volunteer thing so that you are still staying involved in the "dental community."
hgfdsa is right...it was very difficult to interview for full time positions, as most places wanted at least a 2 year committment. The solution for me was to interview for long-term temp work. With a solid college degree, you can actually make decent money.
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 253
- Reaction score
- 0
if you're single, start dating! it would be fun. plus, you won't have time for it in dental school.
traveling is great if you have money. if you don't, just get a regular old job, like work at starbucks or in retail. it'll give you some money and you'll be in a social environment, rather than being stuck in a gray, lonely lab. maybe you could even save up enough money to travel the summer before dental school.
or you could just slump in front of your computer and feed your sdn addiction.
traveling is great if you have money. if you don't, just get a regular old job, like work at starbucks or in retail. it'll give you some money and you'll be in a social environment, rather than being stuck in a gray, lonely lab. maybe you could even save up enough money to travel the summer before dental school.
or you could just slump in front of your computer and feed your sdn addiction.
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2006
- Messages
- 53
- Reaction score
- 2
What kind of jobs are you talking about? Im finding out that a biology degree from a very good university doesnt really make me very wanted since i am lacking in the work experience side. I think the best job is a low stress/descent pay job since you will quit come july/august anyways. Anyone have any suggestions?
Bugab00 -- The job I got was with a law firm that wanted someone with a good bio/chem background, as they do a lot of medical stuff. If you're near a major city, check out the law firms or pharm. companies.
Bugab00 -- The job I got was with a law firm that wanted someone with a good bio/chem background, as they do a lot of medical stuff. If you're near a major city, check out the law firms or pharm. companies.
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 79
- Reaction score
- 0
As long as you majored in a science and have had a bit of lab experience during undergrad, you should be able to find a lab tech position with just a BS
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2006
- Messages
- 26
- Reaction score
- 0
Working full time while interviewing is not all that impossible. You just have to find the right job that is flexible. I found a long-term temp position at a pharmaceutical company. So I was able to use my degree to help land that job. I get paid well. On average, I am able to work 40 hours, some weeks maybe 50, 60 hours, and other weeks, as low as 30 hours. When interviewing with the company, I just told them the truth, which allowed them to be very flexible with me. I'm taking Next Monday off to go interview out at ASDOH. and then two-three weeks from now, I'll be taking another week and a half off, to go interview at 4 schools out on the east coast. This is my second year off, and I agree with making as much money as possible ( to save up ). If you can pay off some of your interest, then you'll be in good shape when you get out. On my years off, besides working, I too get to travel. So far, I've been able to travel to Alaska, Vancouver Canada, Seatle Washington, Puerto Rico, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, New York, Washington D.C., and Atlantic City. It's definitely do-able.
My best suggestion is to find a long-term temp position. You'll have a lot of flexibility to working hours you put in, time you need off for interviews, and you get to make money, travel, etc. etc. But you just got to find the right one. Good Luck. Just my two cents!
My best suggestion is to find a long-term temp position. You'll have a lot of flexibility to working hours you put in, time you need off for interviews, and you get to make money, travel, etc. etc. But you just got to find the right one. Good Luck. Just my two cents!
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 79
- Reaction score
- 0
hmm, it will probably be harder then. have you at least taken some lab classes? i don't know anyone who has gotten a full-time job in a lab w/out prior research experience but i do know a few who have done it with non-science degrees. if that's what you really want to do it would probably be a good idea to start working in a lab part-time now so that you'll be more competitive when applying for a paid position when you graduate.
- Joined
- May 22, 2006
- Messages
- 450
- Reaction score
- 0
csw makes a very good point. however, what is a few thousand going to do when you're in debt 200k? besides, once u graduate, it's not difficult to pay that all back assuming the interest rate doesn't keep increasing. i really like reapply2007's advice on travelling for dental experience. i think that's more impressive than getting some job. but that's just my 2 cents.
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2006
- Messages
- 57
- Reaction score
- 0
Yeah I am in the same situation -taking a year off and I am planning to go get somemore dental experience abroad and travel. But problem is - when would ypou all suggest I go??? Its so hard because I have no idea when to expect interviews!! My gpa was jsut verified last week (10/4), and so im assuming i should be hearing from schools sometim esoon??? but anyone else in the same situation?? if so, when are u planning to go abroad??
thanks!!
thanks!!
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2006
- Messages
- 801
- Reaction score
- 2
wait wait wait....so is it bad to take a year off? I mean is it going to hurt you to graduate, then just say work during the application cycle w/ the intention of matriculating the following year? I hope to god thats not the case
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2006
- Messages
- 138
- Reaction score
- 0
I think taking a year off is okay. It won't hurt as long as you have a sufficient reason for that, and make sure you are utilizing the extra time well.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2006
- Messages
- 187
- Reaction score
- 0
like what?
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2006
- Messages
- 138
- Reaction score
- 0
everyone has different reason to take a year off, so I can't answer this one for you.About what to do with this extra year--just make sure that you will be able to tell the adcoms why you are doing your jobs, etc, then you'll be fine. For example, someone who works as a dental assistant can say that s/he wants a good exposure to the clinical setting. Someone who works as a tutor can say that s/he wants to practice his/her communication skills. Just be honest yet make sure you sound like you know what you are doing.
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2006
- Messages
- 110
- Reaction score
- 0
After I graduated with the BS in Bio, I just went back at will attain a BA in Chem in 1 year...plus Im still shadowing...i think thats the best bet...it gives you such a better background going into D1
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2004
- Messages
- 35,944
- Reaction score
- 17,728
working for the dad,traveling,and doing aLOT of charity fundraising/benefit planning.
- Joined
- May 17, 2006
- Messages
- 366
- Reaction score
- 0
I am taking a year off because I graduated younger than most people do 😀
So I'm relaxing, tutoring part time a few hours a week (Great Pay), some research twice a week, still shadowing, and next semester Europe time and traveling everywhere ! 😀
So I'm relaxing, tutoring part time a few hours a week (Great Pay), some research twice a week, still shadowing, and next semester Europe time and traveling everywhere ! 😀
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2006
- Messages
- 187
- Reaction score
- 0
Have anybody thought about get into a D-school off the country, finish the first year then transfer back to the U.S. on the 2nd year... A friend of mine took the MCAT a couple years ago and did horrible, he didn't want to retake it but still wanted to become a physican...so he applied to a university somewhere in Mexico and finished the 1st year of med-school then transfer back to the U.S. Have anybody had similar stories to share?
- Joined
- May 17, 2006
- Messages
- 366
- Reaction score
- 0
uhm..weird..I think you can't do that even if you have passed your boards (USMLEs)..you must first finish medical school overseas once started, passed all boards, and get into a residency program. The same is true for dental schools, with the exception of getting into a residency program. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I am really sure it doesn't work like that.
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2006
- Messages
- 153
- Reaction score
- 0
i dont know about mexico but i do have a friend who's in med school in the carribeans. the program she's in she will be there for the first 15 months, then she'll be transferred to a school in NY and finish off the rest there, and for the residency she can pick wherever she wants to go. This is fully accrediated program. its just another way around the traditional meds chool in US plan. she will be doing the 4 years like all the other med students, except the first year and half will be abroad.
i dont know if there are any programs like this for dental.... does anyone else know?
maybe a program linked with puerto rico?
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2006
- Messages
- 187
- Reaction score
- 0
Is it just a regular med-program? Do you know what school is she in?
