What would you do if not allowed to work in healthcare?

[goofball]

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So you can't answer "Dentist," or "Pharmacist," or "PA," or "Nurse," or whatever.

Now, how would you answer that question at an interview? Would you just say "Ph.D. in a science field and do research"? Or can you get away with saying something else?

 

[Tommyguns89]

Astronaut, it is just as realistic as a hypothetical universe where I am not allowed to be a doctor but also have the option of doing anything else.

 

[red doctober]

When approached with this question I think your answer should be honest (enough so it won't be obvious bs-ing) and tailored to your app. If you have a bunch of research experience, then PhD in science might be the best answer, but if you don't have any research experience, it would probably perceived as naive or a lie. If your app is service oriented, then maybe social work, running a charity, or something like that. If you really like the teaching aspect of academic medicine, then maybe high school teacher or non-science professor.

 

[mehc012]

When approached with this question I think your answer should be honest (enough so it won't be obvious bs-ing) and tailored to your app. If you have a bunch of research experience, then PhD in science might be the best answer, but if you don't have any research experience, it would probably perceived as naive or a lie. If your app is service oriented, then maybe social work, running a charity, or something like that. If you really like the teaching aspect of academic medicine, then maybe high school teacher or non-science professor.

So should I not say Peace Corps even though that's likely what I'll end up doing if my app fails? I have a research background but decided not to go to grad school, ever...not what I want for my career, though I'd love to do some research as a part of a medical career.

 

[circulus vitios]

So should I not say Peace Corps even though that's likely what I'll end up doing if my app fails? I have a research background but decided not to go to grad school, ever...not what I want for my career, though I'd love to do some research as a part of a medical career.

When they ask this question I think they want to know what you would do for a career. Peace Corps isn't a career.

My backup plan or alternative career path is to go back to school for mechanical or electrical engineering.

 

[galaxyx]

In one of the interview threads someone said that their interviewer said most people answered lawyer or banker. So, I would guess that anything not lawyer or banker and not unethical would be good. They are in some way trying to figure out what motivates you. I don't think there is any wrong answer as long as you don't appear selfish, greedy, or distasteful in your answer. It would help to have a good reason to back up your choice.

 

[goofball]

When approached with this question I think your answer should be honest (enough so it won't be obvious bs-ing) and tailored to your app. If you have a bunch of research experience, then PhD in science might be the best answer, but if you don't have any research experience, it would probably perceived as naive or a lie. If your app is service oriented, then maybe social work, running a charity, or something like that. If you really like the teaching aspect of academic medicine, then maybe high school teacher or non-science professor.

I said I would be a historian (I'm a history major with years of teaching/tutoring experience). I guess it worked.

I really would be a historian if I weren't going into medicine though. The problem is that with the Ph.D. glut, it's a job I couldn't get.

 

[mmmmd]

teach high school chem while working on a PhD in something cool

 

[JBOB]

I think I was asked this at every single interview this cycle. I said teaching, it's similar to medicine in some pretty desirable ways.

 

[deleted127837]

Traveling documentary filmmaker. Tango dancer. Professional professional. Senator. Chef.

 

[goofball]

I think I was asked this at every single interview this cycle. I said teaching, it's similar to medicine in some pretty desirable ways.

Or is medicine similar to teaching? Hell, medicine IS teaching to a large extent!

 

[EarthtoneJon]

I would teach wildlife / environmental classes at a state park, and one day hope to own a summer camp. Love the outdoors and working with kids.

Edit: yup, I noticed a lot of people say "teaching." Makes sense! The doctors I've shadowed did a lot of teaching in their offices.

 

[JBOB]

Or is medicine similar to teaching? Hell, medicine IS teaching to a large extent!

haha that's exactly how I explained my answer. One interviewer said to look up the origin the word "physician", I guess it's related to teaching, I can't remember how exactly.

 

[goofball]

haha that's exactly how I explained my answer. One interviewer said to look up the origin the word "physician", I guess it's related to teaching, I can't remember how exactly.

In Latin, "Doctor" means "Teacher"

 

[Doudline]

I'd love to do musical theater (ze broadway here I come)! Tru story.

 

[as1212559]

Chef.

 

[cookiemonsters]

Real talk answer: something else that pays a lot of money and doesn't require connections to have a chance.

 

[nysegop]

I'd probably go into law enforcement (federal level like FBI, CIA) or do some sort of government research (CDC, etc.)

I might join the military for a bit

 

[circulus vitios]

Real talk answer: something else that pays a lot of money and doesn't require connections to have a chance.

Interview bull**** answer: research because I like cutting-edge science, but I would regret the lack of interpersonal blah blah blah

I like how you're not afraid to keep it real.

 

[mehc012]

When they ask this question I think they want to know what you would do for a career. Peace Corps isn't a career.

My backup plan or alternative career path is to go back to school for mechanical or electrical engineering.

It's taken me 22 years to find something I could truly see myself doing as a career, and they expect me to know TWO? No, sir. Not happening. There are plenty of careers I could do, but I'm not going to pursue them unless I really want them. Otherwise, what a waste of time.

I'd be just as happy doing Peace Corps and bouncing around blue collar until I find something else that really makes me 'tick' the way medicine does. If it's not a passion, it's not worth working towards; I'm just gonna do a crappy job of it and I'm not going to enjoy the process.

 

[Narmerguy]

So you can't answer "Dentist," or "Pharmacist," or "PA," or "Nurse," or whatever.

Now, how would you answer that question at an interview? Would you just say "Ph.D. in a science field and do research"? Or can you get away with saying something else?

Just answer with the truth. You can say whatever you like if they're going to contrive some situation like this.

Personally, I'd probably go into research, law, or nonprofit sector.

 

[deleted393595]

Mercenary for hire

 

[Doctor Strange]

Professional photographer. I would love to travel and take neat pics.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using SDN Mobile

 

[GopherMD]

Law school, but thank god I don't have to even consider that as an option now given the job market for newly graduated lawyers.

 

[goofball]

Law school, but thank god I don't have to even consider that as an option now given the job market for newly graduated lawyers.

It's not looking so hot for doctors either though. If the government doesn't fix the GME funding crisis soon, we're going to end up in a situation where US MD grads struggle to get positions in specialties like FP and OB/GYN.

 

[GopherMD]

It's not looking so hot for doctors either though. If the government doesn't fix the GME funding crisis soon, we're going to end up in a situation where US MD grads struggle to get positions in specialties like FP and OB/GYN.

There is still a huge gap between number of residency positions and US grads. Yes that number is shrinking, but I don't see it being a problem for the class of 2017 (which includes me).

 

[goofball]

There is still a huge gap between number of residency positions and US grads. Yes that number is shrinking, but I don't see it being a problem for the class of 2017 (which includes me).

Yeah I hope that US MD grads will be fine. It's a bad time to be an IMG though.