<p>Hi guys, I am an upcoming senior majoring in Biology and minoring in Mathematics. I have never been this confused about my career before. All throughout my academic career, I was so determined to go to medical school. Most people, as they are finishing up their undergraduate studies, are sure of what they want to do or atleast what type of field they are interested in. I, on the other hand, am more lost than ever. I have some experience with conducting research. And I seem to like it but I am not sure if this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. On the other hand, I am not much exposed to the medical field. The thought of medicine is very interesting to me but also overwhelming. I am not sure if it is for me because I haven't seen what it is like. I have done some volunteer but I barely got to see anything. I don't want to eliminate the idea of medicine due to this uncertainty. At this moment, I am trying to figure out what I should do next. I would really appreciate if you guys could give me some ideas as to where to head next. Thank you.</p>
<p>I guess this is why shadowing is so encouraged for pre-meds…</p>
<p>I have been trying to find someone to shadow but all the hospitals in our surrounding have HIPAA regulations which makes it difficult…</p>
<p>Medicine is a demanding, all-consuming career. Med school is an enormous investment of your time, energy and finances. You’re wise to want to step back and think seriously about this.</p>
<p>I have 2 daughters - both benefitted from a break in the lock-step march to med school. Both graduated and then took a breather from academics while either doing full time paid research* or doing intense volunteering and working in an allied medical field (EMT-I). In both cases, the clinical experiences will help or did help each determine if medical school is the right career path for them.</p>
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<li>Clinically based research which involved working with actual patients, not cell cultures.</li>
</ul>
<p>You too may benefit from some time away from the classroom while you explore your interests and passions. You sound like you need more time to thoroughly explore if being a physician is the right career path for you.</p>
<p>Medical schools are increasingly open to older, non-traditional students. At some schools more than 50% of each year’s incoming MS1 class are non-trads. The average age of an MS1 is now 24.8 years and rising. Non-trads bring diversity, experience, maturity, and occasionally great wisdom, to the med school classroom and are better able to relate to patients.</p>
<p>Another possibility would be to explore other medically-related careers-- physician assistant, nursing, optometry, pharmacy… there are many others. You should also consider the job options available to a bio major that are not directly related to medical service: lab tech, pharmaceutical sales, case manager, science/math educator, medical librarian, etc. Maybe even consider biostatistics–which is area of increasing need. The career center at your U may be able to help give you some more ideas. </p>
<p>The career center may also be able to administer some job interest inventories and testing to suggest even other career areas for you.</p>
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<p>I really don’t think this is true. I recently attended D2’s graduation ceremonies. Her dept [neuroscience] announced each student’s post-graduation plans. Of the 44 graduates (99% of whom were ‘pre meds’), only 7 had been accepted into graduation education programs (MD, PA, PsyD, PhD, MS in neural engineering), the rest were going to “work for 2 years and apply to med school”. Seriously, it became a cliche halfway thru the ceremony. Most of them didn’t even have jobs lined up yet! The same was true in D2’s BF’s dept [microbio]–except for 3 going to PHD or PharmD programs, most had no clue what they were going to do after graduation.</p>
<p>Topper, </p>
<p>I have messaged you a list of suggestions. Check your inbox.</p>
<p>You have given me some really good ideas. I think I would be really interested in clinical research. And you are absolutely right, this country is great in the sense that it’s never late to do anything. I will definitely look into all the options you have suggested me. Thanks a lot! :)</p>
<p>Finding a full time job a research assistant can be a long, competitive and difficult process. It will require good deal of persistance on your part, some luck, some good references, a willingnness to relocate to a new area, and a willingness to take a job that may not be exactly what you want to do at first.</p>
<p>I would start looking this fall. The first step is create a CV for yourself and take it to your college’s career center and have them review it with you to see if you can tweak it to make better. Then acquaint yourself with the list of job postings at either your school’s career center or your departmental office. (D had better luck using the departmental listings.) Check the postings every week to see what’s new.</p>
<p>Your senior fall semster is not too soon to start sending out letters of inquiry/resumes/ applications. Learn to write a good cover letter. You will then personalize the cover letter AND tweak your resume everytime you send out a application/ job inquiry. </p>
<p>Don’t forget to network–ask that if the dept/organization you sent your application to has no openings if they know of some other research group/dept/orgnaization that does. Also ask any profs who you have a good relationship with if they have any or know of any potential job opening. Don’t overlook possible jobs at your college–check their employment site frequently.</p>
<p>Lastly, don’t get discouraged. Most job inquiries dead end. You will be sending out many resumes and receive few or no replies–not even a “we not hiring” reply. Be patient, but also do follow-up. Many labs/research groups won’t know if they have funding to hire a tech or assistant until March, April or later when they get grant funding/budget information.</p>