I found a job at a lab that uses model organisms to research pathways involved in cancer. I’m really excited about actually getting the job and am definitely going to take this opportunity, but I just had a few questions because I want to know for sure what I’m getting myself into before making a commitment. The job would be over 4 (end of freshman->senior) years and I would need to work over the summer.
I currently want to go to medical school and maybe do a Phd/MD program. I also like the prospect of business granted I get an internship at a upper end firm.
Lab job
Pros:
-Guaranteed
-Great starting point to build experience
-Many opportunities for me to explore complicated lab techniques
-I get to live away from home/my parents (kidding, but would be a fun and interesting experience)
-Build close connections, would get a great letter of recommendation
-Can start my own research project
Cons:
-Theoretically would close doors for exploring other fields (ie taking a finance internship if I become interested in business)
-“Everyone” can do this
Internship (in hospital, finance, research etc.)
Pros:
-“Looks good on a resume/medical school application”
-more freedom
Cons:
-Only lasts 1 summer (can’t build as good connections)
-less opportunities to grow/learn
Honestly, I’m pretty sure they would let me take a little time off if I found an internship, and I’m not going to pass up on a job offer, but I’d still like to hear some perspectives on this.
A research lab job is a great way to find out if you like it. From what you state you will be an active team member, not just washing glassware. Never choose based on what looks good on the record. This would be a great way to develop your resume for an MD/PhD program. If you decide you dislike it you can drop the job and explore something else. Business and medical research are two very different fields. You will either enjoy the lab sciences in your courses and work or discover business is more appealing. I assume you are not thinking of medicine as the pathway to riches, especially as a researcher. You really have to enjoy medicine to make a career of it- there are far easier ways to make money. Think- nothing ventured, nothing gained.
It sounds like this is your financial ticket to living on campus instead of being a commuter. I definitely recommend on campus living- you miss out on so much after hours experience when you aren’t there.
Doors do not close- you can quit if it doesn’t work out. Most do NOT get this kind of research job opportunity, especially early in the college career.
As a physician I can’t think of any undergrad summer internship that is so prestigious it would be favored over many other opportunities other students may have. btw, EVERY experience is an opportunity to grow/learn. I do not see more freedom the summer you do an internship.
You may not get the internship that interests you the summer you want it while the lab job is the bird in hand.
You will evolve as you attend college, be flexible as you gain experiences.
Thanks for the insight @wis75
Prestige was a concern because I heard/get the feeling that those are given weight (like a competitive advantage) when applying for scholarships or for highly competitive programs like phd/md, but I guess there are always ways around that.
@justonedad
For the research lab job, I would start out as a research assistant/lab technician (or something else, not sure what the correct job title is at the moment) and start with basic tasks (creating buffers, competent cells, etc.) and as I get more comfortable, they said they always let their undergrad explore with other processes (ie study for credit, research my own proj if I wanted to do an honors thesis, etc). However, I would still need to do my task as a ra/technician
As a freshman you probably don’t know enough to have real responsiblities in the lab, but if you like it and stick with it all four years, you will have something far more valuable than a couple of summer internships. My dh interviews for MD/PhD programs all the time and he likes to see students with long enough experience in a lab that they actually understand what they are working on. His biggest complaint is that students have run the gels or whatever, but don’t really understand the greater context of what they have been working on properly. I’d take this job and see where it takes you. If it seems to be turning into a dead end you’ll have plenty of opportunities to look for something better.
My D started washing dishes in the Chemistry Lab as a first semester freshman. Her job duties have grown as she has been promoted. The opportunity to get to know the professors in her department better is a big bonus. She has gained confidence, and it gave her the skills she needed to land a big $$ summer internship. (D’s job is only during the academic school year. She could stay over the summers and make min. wage doing research, but the housing costs would eat up her meager earnings.)
Do your job well, don’t just do the minimum required. Keep your eyes and ears open so you see the bigger picture of what others are doing as well. Be polite and respectful, be social enough to get along with other workers, and earn a good reputation. Those professors can write you great recommendation letters if you have done your part well.
I would take ANY job over anything else.
However, they may also be combined. I did not see details. In many cases like these, neither position is a full time. I mean, you are not there for 8 hours / 5 times a week. My D. had a great job on campus and was also interning at the Med. Research lab at the same time, she did it for 3 years during school year at college. She combined several other ECs with these 2. Her friends were also very busy with various EC’s, minors, trips abroad,…etc. All of them are graduating from various Med. Schools this year.
If you have what it takes, 4 years of lab experience like that can easily catapult you into an early granting position as well as giving you the resume to make you a very attractive MD/PhD candidate.