Gap year jobs

[Scrizzy]

I'm planning to take 2 gap years and am wondering what kind of jobs other people have been doing. I was originally going to go into scribing, but I found that I can consistently only get 50~ wpm, which is not great according to the forums. I also took one of those tests that automatically submit to the employer and ended up getting the jitters, making me end up with 32 wpm . So it looks like being a scribe is not right for me.

So does anyone else have any other recommendations? Sadly, I don't know many jobs that will hire someone for only 2 years.

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[Dr. Stalker]

I'm planning to take 2 gap years and am wondering what kind of jobs other people have been doing. I was originally going to go into scribing, but I found that I can consistently only get 50~ wpm, which is not great according to the forums. I also took one of those tests that automatically submit to the employer and ended up getting the jitters, making me end up with 32 wpm . So it looks like being a scribe is not right for me.

So does anyone else have any other recommendations? Sadly, I don't know many jobs that will hire someone for only 2 years.

Research Lab technician is always fun (if you enjoy research). My UG lab PI hired me right out of college to be our lab technician officially. You can also be a medical assistant at a number of local walk-in urgent care clinics (its actually amazing they don't require any certification).

 

[yaka]

I'm planning to take 2 gap years and am wondering what kind of jobs other people have been doing. I was originally going to go into scribing, but I found that I can consistently only get 50~ wpm, which is not great according to the forums. I also took one of those tests that automatically submit to the employer and ended up getting the jitters, making me end up with 32 wpm . So it looks like being a scribe is not right for me.

So does anyone else have any other recommendations? Sadly, I don't know many jobs that will hire someone for only 2 years.

Tutoring is a great option. I've been tutoring for the past couple of months and the pay is great, very flexible hours and you can work as much or as little as you want. Also I only work in the afternoons/evenings when kids are off school, so I have mornings to myself. You won't be getting any clinical or research experience, but I'd say being able to explain concepts to people who are struggling is a great way to develop your skillset.

 

[Scrizzy]

Research Lab technician is always fun (if you enjoy research). My UG lab PI hired me right out of college to be our lab technician officially. You can also be a medical assistant at a number of local walk-in urgent care clinics (its actually amazing they don't require any certification).

I also applied to some research jobs, most of them have you start out as an intern though (which I'm completely fine with). I only applied to a few, since I was originally going for scribing, but with my typing skills that doesn't look like it's going to work out. I hadn't thought about being a research assistant, I'll look into it. Would they even they consider me if I'm going to be there for only 2 years though? (I'll try and hide the fact, but if they ask me how long I'll be staying with them, I'll have to answer honestly)

Tutoring is a great option. I've been tutoring for the past couple of months and the pay is great, very flexible hours and you can work as much or as little as you want. Also I only work in the afternoons/evenings when kids are off school, so I have mornings to myself. You won't be getting any clinical or research experience, but I'd say being able to explain concepts to people who are struggling is a great way to develop your skillset.

Did you join a tutoring organization/company? One of my Kaplan teachers was using his time to teach people during his 2 gap years, but I never asked him about it.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

I also applied to some research jobs, most of them have you start out as an intern though (which I'm completely fine with). I only applied to a few, since I was originally going for scribing, but with my typing skills that doesn't look like it's going to work out. I hadn't thought about being a research assistant, I'll look into it. Would they even they consider me if I'm going to be there for only 2 years though? (I'll try and hide the fact, but if they ask me how long I'll be staying with them, I'll have to answer honestly)


Did you join a tutoring organization/company? One of my Kaplan teachers was using his time to teach people during his 2 gap years, but I never asked him about it.

2 years is way longer than most research assistants stay on dec. PI's know its just a BS time filler job for pre-medical students, and they're usually okay with it if they hire you. It will be a full time job, does that work for you? I'm talking 40 hours a week (but paid $$$$).

 

[PiggyPug6]

I was a pharmacy technician during my two years off. It's a really easy job and pays well in some states.

 

[Scrizzy]

2 years is way longer than most research assistants stay on dec. PI's know its just a BS time filler job for pre-medical students, and they're usually okay with it if they hire you. It will be a full time job, does that work for you? I'm talking 40 hours a week (but paid $$$$).

Absolutely, I already graduated, so all I got is time. How are the openings? It sounds like a job that is easily taken up.

I was a pharmacy technician during my two years off. It's a really easy job and pays well in some states.

Thought you had to have some form of school training for that?

 

[PiggyPug6]

Absolutely, I already graduated, so all I got is time. How are the openings? It sounds like a job that is easily taken up.


Thought you had to have some form of school training for that?

It depends on your state. For mine you needed a high school diploma and then I was state certified on the job.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Absolutely, I already graduated, so all I got is time. How are the openings? It sounds like a job that is easily taken up.


Thought you had to have some form of school training for that?

I mean, ideally, you'd like to work in a lab where you're interested in the research, but if not, its no big deal. As far as finding the job/opening, I was able to do this at my undergrad lab and my PI hired me on the spot for one full year so it was pretty easy. Its one of those jobs that is a job, but not super formal, but can sound very elegant during a medical school interview, which is why I'm a big fan of it. Did you go to a research-based university? If so, did you do research in a lab? If yes to the two questions before, start with your own lab!

If you're joining a new lab for the first time, it can be tricky. PI's think about money and funding constantly (not their fault...entirely). So, a lab won't just hire you with zero experience and pay you. PI's (its awful) sometimes try to trap students as permanent volunteers making you work full time without paying you - don't fall into that trap. Its fine to be like "Hi I'm a graduate of X university where I majored in Y. My goal is to be in medical school in two years. During this time I'm really interested in broadening my research experience and want to work with you. I still need to perfect my techniques, so I'd like to start somewhere in the lab and, ultimately, if possible, work my way up to a paid research assistant/lab technician position in about 2 to 3 months. I'm highly motivated and hard working, willing to read and practice however long it takes, and then being to do some meaningful research!"

 

[Conflagration]

I am an in-home caregiver and make $11/hour. You don't necessarily need a CNA license, I don't have one. I had one patient who I essentially acted as a CNA without dispensing meds for (feeding/bathing/toileting/transfers), and the next one I have will be a lot more lenient; they only need some light housekeeping and some meal prep. I'd ask your local nursing homes and hospice cares or even DSS or DHHS to see if you have an in-home service provider in your area. Good work and great people.

 

[Scrizzy]

I mean, ideally, you'd like to work in a lab where you're interested in the research, but if not, its no big deal. As far as finding the job/opening, I was able to do this at my undergrad lab and my PI hired me on the spot for one full year so it was pretty easy. Its one of those jobs that is a job, but not super formal, but can sound very elegant during a medical school interview, which is why I'm a big fan of it. Did you go to a research-based university? If so, did you do research in a lab? If yes to the two questions before, start with your own lab!

If you're joining a new lab for the first time, it can be tricky. PI's think about money and funding constantly (not their fault...entirely). So, a lab won't just hire you with zero experience and pay you. PI's (its awful) sometimes try to trap students as permanent volunteers making you work full time without paying you - don't fall into that trap. Its fine to be like "Hi I'm a graduate of X university where I majored in Y. My goal is to be in medical school in two years. During this time I'm really interested in broadening my research experience and want to work with you. I still need to perfect my techniques, so I'd like to start somewhere in the lab and, ultimately, if possible, work my way up to a paid research assistant/lab technician position in about 2 to 3 months. I'm highly motivated and hard working, willing to read and practice however long it takes, and then being to do some meaningful research!"

I don't think I've gone to a highly research-based university (the school was more into law and business), but I did do research form about a year and a half. I agree with you about the trapping with no pay, since at my school something similar happened. Although it didn't happen directly, the school hired a (incompetent) lab administrator who basically took months to do anything, causing everyone (even professors) to go months without pay. Some of us got several months worth of money back... and some of us didn't.

It depends on your state. For mine you needed a high school diploma and then I was state certified on the job.

I'll look into it! I have a couple of family relatives that are pharmacist, so hopefully they can tell me about the process. I'm from Texas, and the requirements here looks to be similar to what you described.

I am an in-home caregiver and make $11/hour. You don't necessarily need a CNA license, I don't have one. I had one patient who I essentially acted as a CNA without dispensing meds for (feeding/bathing/toileting/transfers), and the next one I have will be a lot more lenient; they only need some light housekeeping and some meal prep. I'd ask your local nursing homes and hospice cares or even DSS or DHHS to see if you have an in-home service provider in your area. Good work and great people.

Funny thing, I actually signed up as a volunteer for a hospice last March. However they still haven't found a patient for me to work with, which I guess is a good thing if you really think about it. But it also might be because I'm pretty young (22 years-old), so most people don't see me as responsible "adult".

 

[Conflagration]

Funny thing, I actually signed up as a volunteer for a hospice last March. However they still haven't found a patient for me to work with, which I guess is a good thing if you really think about it. But it also might be because I'm pretty young (22 years-old), so most people don't see me as responsible "adult".

I'm also 22, almost 23. A friend of mine is a pharmacy tech for Walgreens. I waited tables, decorated cakes, and was a janitor for a while. As long as you're willing to learn, you'll find some work.

 

[yaka]

Did you join a tutoring organization/company? One of my Kaplan teachers was using his time to teach people during his 2 gap years, but I never asked him about it.

Yes, I joined a company. This is probably the most time-efficient way, since you won't have to deal with finding students and keeping them on board, you'll always have a steady stream. You'll make more money by doing private tutoring, but it'll also be more time consuming because you'll have to be more proactive in finding and keeping students.

 

[deleted446889]

Yes, I joined a company. This is probably the most time-efficient way, since you won't have to deal with finding students and keeping them on board, you'll always have a steady stream. You'll make more money by doing private tutoring, but it'll also be more time consuming because you'll have to be more proactive in finding and keeping students.

Can you work with a company and still do private tutoring on the side? That would be ideal but maybe companies have a policy against that?

 

[Kurk]

EMS

 

[yaka]

Can you work with a company and still do private tutoring on the side? That would be ideal but maybe companies have a policy against that?

There was a non-compete clause in my contract, but I mean if you're private tutoring there's almost no way to track that if it's cash only. I think it was mainly to prevent tutoring companies from poaching other companies' tutors. If they find out though, you'll definitely have a break of contract.

 

[Scrizzy]

EMS

Actually one of my friends recommended me to try EMT. He told me that the course isn't that hard as well. By any chance you know how long it takes to finish a EMS education?

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Anyone whose comments say "ideally" ignore the ideally part. If you are going to work, work. Do a great job and stay in that job until you get accepted and move for med school. Even a 50 hour/week job means you have enough time to continue to do medically or service-oriented work. As long as you stay engaged in someway in a medically related activity, schools won't really care. Besides, once you get into school, the next 7-12 years of your life are going to dictate your schedule. So if you just want to flip burgers so you have the cash to live a little in your mid-20's, go for it.

 

[Kurk]

Actually one of my friends recommended me to try EMT. He told me that the course isn't that hard as well. By any chance you know how long it takes to finish a EMS education?

I'm enrolled in a 10 week EMT-B course right now. It's not hard in terms of booksmarts; but clinical is where you need to put in most of your effort imo.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

There are always jobs hiring people that will be around for 2 years. A lot of entry level positions are held by premed students, prePA, pre pharmacy, Pre physical therapy, etc. I work as a pharmacy tech. It's not exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life but I'm still working with patients and healthcare professionals. And it's good pay after you get licensed.

 

[jenzhang636]

If you have the research experience, I would definitely look into research assistant positions. Right now I work as a lab manager/research assistant and every single person who worked this job went to med school (except one who went on to get a PhD). Depending on how the lab is structured, I agree that the PI expects people to only stay on 1-2 years max. My PI knows that this is just a stepping stone for me in deciding what career I want.

Bonus: If you're a good work and do a good job, I'm sure the PI would be a great LOR. Also, due to the nature of research, I have a fair amount of downtime at work which can be usual if you're working on apps or studying.

 

[Wrigley_260]

I'll be taking 3 years between undergrad and medical school and I'm a clinical research coordinator--cant recommend it enough for someone who wants to go into medicine. I got the job right out of undergrad last year and was sort of hesitant because I wasn't too familiar with clinical research (I was aiming more for a bench science lab), but I really think it teaches you a lot of necessary skills that helps you gain confidence in a hospital/medical setting. Granted I'm at a large academic institution in a big city, but I've been able to lead my own clinic visits for research patients, am 100% comfortable navigating Epic and other similar hospital interface systems, get patient exposure every single day, have publication opportunities for investigator led studies, learn about pharmaceuticals and how drugs end up on the market, and most importantly build relationships with the fellows and attending physicians I work under (think LORs). Almost everyone in my office also plans on going to PA/Medical school as well, and I've also used the connections I've made so far with the physicians to intern in two other labs in different fields in the hospital outside of work hours. It's a great segue in my opinion! You can message me if you want to hear more about it.

 

[TFredrick]

Ophthalmic technician is a great job and gives you a ton of clinical experience. I did that for a year, learned about ophthalmic imaging and now work at a large research university with a great med school making good money as an ophthalmic imaging specialist. I had never heard about the career before but its great exposure for me. I see 25 patients a day or more, became phlebotomy certified for it and get to perform angiograms, learned a lot of advanced pathology of the eye, and all this was in the past year during my first gap year. I am now doing the imaging and applying and highly recommend everything I did.

 

[Lost in Translation]

I'm also 22, almost 23. A friend of mine is a pharmacy tech for Walgreens. I waited tables, decorated cakes, and was a janitor for a while. As long as you're willing to learn, you'll find some work.

Best reply in here. You don't need to do anything healthcare related. Adcoms understand that you just need money. I worked in retail for my gap year while I traveled around to my interviews.

 

[aldol16]

Research tech jobs typically require a two-year commitment which is just about right for your situation. That's if you like research. But depending on what your degree is, you have many options outside of healthcare roles - think outside the box! If you have a degree in biology, it may be harder to find a job outside of research and health that would allow you to use your degree, but if you have a degree in a heavily math-based discipline like engineering, math, physics, and even chemistry, you can look into data-based roles. It's a huge plus if you have programming experience. Wall Street tends to like the math-based majors so you can make some good money if that's your thing. Consulting is also an option although for an in at any of the big consulting firms, you have to go to a school they recruit at (or have super connections to someone in a position of power inside the company). If you're a chemistry major, you might look into some pharmaceutical company jobs. This gives you a whole different perspective on healthcare, as most physicians interacts with pharma companies in either clinical consulting or marketing roles and not so much the basic science R&D aspect of it.