working retail during gap year?

[apr27]

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hey

What are your thoughts on working a retail job (i.e. Gap, Banana Republic, etc..)during a gap year. Any doing that or know anyone that has done it with success (acceptance to medical school) ? I still intend on volunteering.

I currently do research 2-3 days a week. I'm actually working a paper for publication at the moment, which is nice. I work specifically work one on one with a doctor, so it's not like your "conventional" research experience. I will spare the details. However, I feel that it is a very formidable experience for my medical school application/ experience I can really spin.

I'm hoping for an acceptance this cycle, and I feel like tech jobs such as ER or pharm are hard to come by. Let alone the certification may take a while. Tired of being broke and would just like to have some money

Thanks,

apr27

 

[sinombre]

By gap year, do you mean gap half year? If that's the case, I don't see anything wrong with working retail. If you're applying next cycle, you should probably try and find something that pays more (you are a college graduate, after all).

 

[lovemango]

Why not? It's not like EVERYTHING you do during your gap year has to be medically related. Not all of us have rich parents to depend on, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with needing to get a job to save money, especially with how expensive med school is. If you can find a tech or scribe job, great, but if you have to get a retail job, nothing wrong with that. And it sounds like you already have community service and research under your belt, so go for it.

 

[weezynation]

I personally worked in retail 2 years after college and my interviewers were very impressed because of how much I learned, living in the real world, being financially independent, etc.

 

[weezynation]

By gap year, do you mean gap half year? If that's the case, I don't see anything wrong with working retail. If you're applying next cycle, you should probably try and find something that pays more (you are a college graduate, after all).

Jobs arent easy to come by. College graduate doesn't mean anything these days when trying to find a job. I worked full-time in retail, worked outside of store hours as a shipment worker, took anyone's shift who didn't want it, and was able to pay my $1100 dollar rent, utilities, and bills every month. It can be done.

 

[ChartaBona]

Jobs arent easy to come by. College graduate doesn't mean anything these days when trying to find a job. I worked full-time in retail, worked outside of store hours as a shipment worker, took anyone's shift who didn't want it, and was able to pay my $1100 dollar rent, utilities, and bills every month. It can be done.

I'm a part-time CNA by choice. If I had big bills to pay, I'd take advantage of the ample overtime opportunities. I know some people where I'm at work 56hrs/wk, so they must be taking home ~$2300/mo after taxes. That's not big bucks, but it's a lot better than making minimum wage @ retail.

Also, CNA isn't as "glamorous" as EMT-B, but I think there's a much higher demand. That's why I chose it.

 

[weezynation]

I'm a part-time CNA by choice. If I had big bills to pay, I'd take advantage of the ample overtime opportunities. I know some people where I'm at work 56hrs/wk, so they must be taking home ~$2300/mo after taxes. That's not big bucks, but it's a lot better than making minimum wage @ retail.

Also, CNA isn't as "glamorous" as EMT-B, but I think there's a much higher demand. That's why I chose it.

Of course if you have the opportunity to make more money, then sure go ahead. My point is, sometimes you can't find another job that makes more even with a college degree. It's not easy to find a job these days so you've gotta do what you gotta do. Im guessing you definitely need training to be a CNA and if someone is going to take a gap year, it doesn't make sense training for something you will do for a very short period of time especially when you have to go into more debt to get that training.

 

[ChartaBona]

Of course if you have the opportunity to make more money, then sure go ahead. My point is, sometimes you can't find another job that makes more even with a college degree. It's not easy to find a job these days so you've gotta do what you gotta do. Im guessing you definitely need training to be a CNA and if someone is going to take a gap year, it doesn't make sense training for something you will do for a very short period of time especially when you have to go into more debt to get that training.

It only took me a month and $900 to become a CNA. I agree that it's not worth it if OP gets accepted this cycle, but It would be a viable option for the gap year if he doesn't get in.

 

[weezynation]

It only took me a month and $900 to become a CNA. I agree that it's not worth it if OP gets accepted this cycle, but It would be a viable option for the gap year if he doesn't get in.

Oh wow didnt realize the training was that quick. Sounds like a good option.

 

[dwills]

I'm currently working at a large department stare selling shoes. Not a bad gig by any means, especially during the holiday season since its commission based.

Whenever it's been brought up in an interview it hasn't been an issue. In fact, its been a nice topic of conversation more often than not. One interviewer had a daughter who just graduated college with an English degree whose is working in retail, one told me about his jobs in retail, many other told me that it is a great real world experience etc. etc.

You got to do what you got to do to make money. A bachelor's degree isn't all the impressive anymore...

 

[circulus vitios]

I'm graduating in a week and applying in the spring. I'm living at home because I want to save as much money as possible. My plan is to slave away in a factory during my time off because there's nothing else that pays decently in my hometown. There are no white collar jobs for someone with my educational background. I can't find any scribe jobs, which I'm sure want experience and training. EMT school is a year long and the local companies rarely hire. Phlebotomist and medical technician jobs all want experience or certifications.

It sucks but hey what can I do. I need to make money.

 

[circulus vitios]

Oh wow didnt realize the training was that quick. Sounds like a good option.

The pay is location dependent. My sister is a CNA and makes like $10/hour.

 

[Lollygag]

I'm graduating in a week and applying in the spring. I'm living at home because I want to save as much money as possible. My plan is to slave away in a factory during my time off because there's nothing else that pays decently in my hometown. There are no white collar jobs for someone with my educational background. I can't find any scribe jobs, which I'm sure want experience and training. EMT school is a year long and requires a year of schooling. Phlebotomist and medical technician jobs all want experience or certifications.

It sucks but hey what can I do. I need to make money.

😕 I don't know what state your from but I definitely got EMT-B certified in 6 weeks. Granted it was extremely intense and I didn't have time to do anything else but in the long run its worth it in order to get 1) A better paying job and 2) a job that will help beef up your application. The average course is maybe like 3 months long, the only courses that will run a year and longer are for paramedic.


But OP, lots of people do that. You could always get a retail job and work it until a better paying job or better looking job comes along. And did you look for ER or pharm tech jobs? They seemed fairly easy to find when I was job hunting this year but I'm sure your not where I'm from lol, at least try to look! If not, go with the retail and continue your research and volunteering on the side.

As long as your not just sitting around lol

 

[circulus vitios]

😕 I don't know what state your from but I definitely got EMT-B certified in 6 weeks. Granted it was extremely intense and I didn't have time to do anything else but in the long run its worth it in order to get 1) A better paying job and 2) a job that will help beef up your application. The average course is maybe like 3 months long, the only courses that will run a year and longer are for paramedic.

You might be right, I don't think it's a year long now that I double checked it. There is only one EMT-B class in my county, offered four hours a day, twice a week, starting in September. Either way it's irrelevant because I've searched for EMT-B jobs and they rarely hire.

 

[lovemango]

I'm graduating in a week and applying in the spring. I'm living at home because I want to save as much money as possible. My plan is to slave away in a factory during my time off because there's nothing else that pays decently in my hometown. There are no white collar jobs for someone with my educational background. I can't find any scribe jobs, which I'm sure want experience and training. EMT school is a year long and the local companies rarely hire. Phlebotomist and medical technician jobs all want experience or certifications.

It sucks but hey what can I do. I need to make money.

Very true, EMT and tech jobs usually require certifications unless you know someone. Most scribe companies will train you though, no experience necessary. However, the pay usually sucks because there's so many premeds who will happily take your spot and the companies know that. The only reason I'm able to work my scribe job, which pays $8.70/hr, is because I'm living at home with my parents during my gap year and I also have income coming in from my etsy shop. I'd never be able to pay rent and bills on that kind of wage.

 

[ChartaBona]

The pay is location dependent. My sister is a CNA and makes like $10/hour.

Yeah, I make ~$12.50/hr working 32 hrs/wk. I get some paid holidays, vacation time, and personal time. The benefits were slightly better when I worked 40 hrs/wk, but I felt chronically fatigued. Being obese at the time didn't help either.

 

[Goobs]

You could try working in a lab for biology manufacturing companies. I'm doing a non-research position that involves testing their products, and I'm getting paid 16/hr for 40 hour workweeks. There isn't any extra certification needed either.