Expert: Bruce - 8/8/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I just graduated from college in may 2007. I completed 4 years and graduated with a B.S in Chemical Biology, essentially pre-med, for my university. the situation i face is that i have a poor gpa - a 2.5. there are many factors and reasons to explain my poor performance. now, 2 months after graduation, and after alot of overthinking and lecturing and etc, i feel that i am in a worse predicament - i dont have a job, finding a job is hard, i am not into a graduate school, i havent taken or prepared for the GRE/GMAT/MCAT yet. I should have taken one of those exams earlier, but i overthought my options for too long a period of time and ended up doing nothing. in short, i was overwhelmed in many ways. and now, i am having difficulty deciding the right grad school and concentration to go forward in. could you give me any advice as to how i can go about this, and what i should change? thanks for your time and help, ~AJ

ANSWER: AJ,

I'm glad to offer some suggestions for you, and will send along a few questions, too.

Are you still keen on medical schools, or are you thinking about another career now? Do you love the sciences, or were you drawn to medical studies out of a desire to help people?

What subjects did you enjoy most in college?

As far as a job goes - have you looked into lab work in a hospital or university setting? That can be a good foot in the door, and a good way to enhance the resume for future application to a science-related grad program.

My job was eliminated 14 moths ago, and I work part time and have been looking for a job, so I understand how hard it is (and I'm middle aged, which is a significant handicap). I have found most opporunity by looking at company Web sites, and careerbuilder.com has been somewhat useful. Don't overlook colleges and universities as employers.

If you can answer these questions, I'll get right back to you with more ideas.

Take care,

Bruce

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:
http://www.allexperts.com/user.cgi?m=6&catID=2295&qID=4667952

Yeah, i am still keen on medical schools, but i doubt myself way too much, especially after my 2.5 gpa. Also people have not been quite supportive or positive, so its alot of psychological stress too. i've started to look to other careers beacuse I dont know if I will get it or not.

I cant say its my love of the sciences. I do have a desire to learn, but its not the burning desire that i should have. I can say that i'm more interested from my desire to help people. I've volunteered before, and part of my future goals is to create a system that i can help my community here, family, and perhaps even go global - but thats a longstretch. I think becoming a doctor will help me do that.

I enjoyed my labs - organic, inorganic, genetics, physiology. Labs were fun, and at times tough, but i learned alot from them. The courses i did best in were computer related. Sciences were kind of the hardest for me to do, and going to a tech school i should have stuck with an engineering major but didnt.

I have looked for jobs, but havent gotten much response. I havent went in person to these places, such as the hospital, staffing agencies, head hunters, or universities. Should I be going in person? I had one interview, and i feel the biggest weak points were my gpa and my lack of thorough knowledge.

It's only been two months since i graduated, and i have too much stress and frustrations to put up with, from many people, who constantly badger me, and more.

Thanks again for your time, help, and advice. ~AJ
ANSWER: Let me make a couple of suggestions to you -

go to a college career office (your alma mater preferably if it's close by) and take a career interest inventory and also take the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (or its short form the Type Focus test). The latter is a highly regarded personality inventory that offers some pretty useful career advice.

As far as specifics, I suggest for right now getting into some kind of basic level non-profit work while you take a bit of time to sort out various options. Check with the USA job bank, and your county's Community Action or ARC centers, or your state dept of labor for possibilities.
There are lots of ways to help people, with and w/out medical training. If you have some useful computer aptitude, that will make you even more attractive to a non-profit org.

Also in the mean time-check with your local EMT squad about emergency med tech training, and about other training like wilderness first aid. This might provide some additional insight into your fit for medical work.

As you think about careers, consider these possibilities:

Bioinformatics - intersection of science/medicine/stats & computer science.

Physician Asst - great career, PAs often serve as primary providers in underserved areas.

RN - there are many schools with accelerated BSN programs for people like you, with the BS degree in a science area. Nurses are in demand these days. There are also fast track MSN programs (usually 2 years after the BS).

Athletic training - good career, works with various age patients in various settings.

Geriatrics - the aging of my generation (Baby Boomers) will make this a great career field.

Keep in mind that (I take it) you are young. Most people have not zeroed in on a career by age 22 or 23; it can take a while sometimes. That's not a bad thing. You'll benefit from experiences you collect along the way.

I can't really comment on the pressures you are facing due to family dynamics, but you may need to ponder the benefits of perhaps relocating to provide yourself some space and time to sort out your options. Do you have aunts/uncles/grandparents who live away that you might be able to stay with while you establish yourself in a new area?

Keep working hard on the job search. It takes persistence.

Hope this advice helps. Feel free to send add'l questions.

Bruce


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again Bruce,

I went to the Office of Career Services at my college. They have sent me information, but I havent gotten anything GOOD yet, because companies that come there primarily employ engineering students, and I acted too late on the other opportunities. I have to find out about the career interest inventory, but I have done the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and surprisingly every time I take it I get ENFP/INFP.

I'm starting to look into habitat for humanity, and some related things.

Yeah, you are right. There are lots of things to do. I really do  need to get out more and be more persistent. I do have computer aptitude because I have gotten A+ Certified and have done programming too. I think theres alot that I can do really, but what commonly happens is I get into overthinking about how my parents talk, and thus end up not being motivated to go about certain things the right way. Like EMT, my dad didnt want me to do EMT in college. My friends did though. I had a personal situation at home, which always seems to be the reason, for not doing extra stuff like volunteering, Job, EMT, or etc. Though I have read up on it and I have a fundamental understanding of what they do. I am interested in Bioinformatics. I was also reading about PNI - psychoneuroimmunology, and brain/mind/psychology related fields. They are very interesting, and along with Genetics, are the future and start a whole new field. I would love to do something like that, but I think my poor undergrad performance keeps me back.

I'm looking into masters programs in Bioinformatics and MPH, so I can start planning something and doing what I need to. I am also looking into PAs, as they have among the highest paid salaries and benefits among B.S. graduates in the sciences. I probably sound crazy, and its obvious i feel like doing too much.


As right or good as my parents are, I feel the environment and attitudes they have only hold me back and make me more aggravated and lose interest. My issues at home are a whole other ballgame. You're right in that I need to move out of this environment. I have relatives, but they're not all that inviting or helpful, in my opinion. I guess the bottom line is doing something and not sitting around and dwelling on the whole debacle. They encourage me to study, but then dissuade me from things from the way they talk about it and that just leads to the whole pointless escapade. I need to make my own decisions, but first I think I have alot to learn before I can. The logic i had was that once I get a job, I can save up money to move out and focus on furthering my education.  

Thanks for your time and advice again, Bruce.

Answer
AJ,

This is interesting - I've taken the MBTI three times. The first time, I was an ENFP, the last two have shown me as an INFP, just like you. I can relate to much of what you are saying, expect the science part. I hate science, and I'm bad at it, too!

Based on some life experience, let me share a few thoughts with you.

People with the INFP approach are rare and because 3/4 of the US population operates in extroverted and judging mode, you will meet lots of people who just don't "get" you or what motivates you. This could be part of the tension you feel with family and others, especially if they are business types. This may always be an issue in the background in your work life, just persevere as the workplace needs you and the gifts you bring.  Resist any tendency to thing that there is something "wrong" with you - there is not. God made you this way, and over time you'll see and appreciate the unique gifts you possess.

You probably have what I call the "non-profit" gene that really pushes you in the direction of work that helps people. That's an admirable thing.  BTW, it also not unusual for your personality type to have lots of career interests, don't take that as a negative. Once you sort this out, you'll be advising others on similar issues - I guarantee it!

You are on the right track with the things you are looking at. If you can find a job that's somewhat related to the health field (your computer skills are a foot in the door) that can keep you fed and clothed while you check out longer term options.

You may want to do some checking via Web sites for organizations like:

Red Cross
Alzheimers Association
Nat'l Kidney Foundation
National Diabetes Foundation
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Special Olympics
These have chapters & staff in most major cities.

And check all your local hospitals and med schools too.

Have you considered health education as a career?

Persist and things will come together for you.

Bruce