So I didnt get the job. I'm pretty certain that I didn't because its Friday night and my phone didnt ring once all day. This just put me back to the drawing board. Obviously I need a job so I can support myself, but I'm also eager to know what Im going to be doing about my shadowing.
I still dont even have a car yet.
So many strikes against me, its not even funny. But there is nothing more that I can do than I'm already doing.
On a GOOD note though: I must give my long lost friend a lot of credit. After I relocated back to Miami I decided to get in touch with her, see how she's dong etc... Lucky for me she assumed that I was going back to school to pursue med school again (which, obviously I am)... So she offered to let me borrow all of her old text books AND her Kaplan test prep book! Now that is good news. I'm not sure she knows how grateful I am. We are going to get together sometime this week and I'll be sure to lug those books home with me then :) It is crucial that I do exceptionally well on my MCATS. It seems so far beyond my capabilities though but Im being driven by a much greater force at the moment so I can't really explain how I think I will beat the odds. Point is, I'm convinced I will.
At least I have an in with the Learning Disability Center. I can take advantage of those snazzy testing perks. My GPA has a long way to go though. I get a huge pit in my stomach whenever I think about it. I can't stand those people who bitch and moan and are like "I have a 3.8, I dont think it's good enough." Boo fuckin hoo. I have a -8.3, thanks to multiple failed efforts to PASS calculus and organic. Okay, and physics. But hey, this is my comeback appearance.
I think I will email Dr. Bascom Palmer to set up a time so we can meet next week, get the ball rolling....Hey, at least I have a solid contact. Thats good news too.
Someone, hire me dammit!!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Food for Thought
I wanted to kick my own ass today. I thought again about how on Earth I'll be able to balance volunteering with my school AND a job, I suddenly thought to myself: gee, i could have taken care of my volunteering while I was in NYC. I was practically not doing anything all afternoon for two years. It would have saved me from having to deal with it now. I say "deal with it" not in the sense that it is a burden and I dread it, but it's just that it will be a lot on my plate.
But then again, when i was in NYC I was certainly in a differnt mindset. I wasnt motivated, I wasn't as resourceful, and I sure as shit wasn't thinking about med school - I was too wrapped up in my Masters program and the crazy idea of being a best-selling author who lived up in the Catskills in a log cabin with more cats than Hemmingway. So I guess in the grand scheme of things, It's alright... I shouldnt beat myself up too badly.
A few days ago, I sent out about a dozen unsolicited emails to doctors locally and at the med school in regard to research opportunities. I think I already mentioned that. Anyways, so far I got one reply from a Dr in the Department of Neurology and one from a Dr in the Department of Urology. Options! Options! Woo!
Dr. Neuro told me to send him a resume as there are both volunteer research positions and paid ones (cool)starting september.
Dr. Uro said that if I'd like to meet with him to discuss various opportunities based on which level would be most appropriate academically and clinically, he's be happy to set up a time. I'll think about that over the weekend...
Living in the suburbs of Miami isnt a damn thing like living in NYC. You need a car. No exceptions. So, I was with my dad today looking for (my 4th, count it, 4th car) and he asked (in regard to how many months we should lease) if I am considering staying in Florida for "graduate school." Well, honestly I have considered the possibilty of a Florida school. Miami is just as good as a dead horse on a racetrak to me, but the rest of Florida I can deal with. So I told him that even though it is very premature to consider particular graduate programs, I was still considering Florida as an option.
What I was also thinking in my head was something like "yikes, what if i get accepted to a caribbean medical school?! I'm not going to base my career around the terms of a car lease!!!" I am hoping though that If I am forunate enough to get accepted, the terms of THAT will prevail over any other terms, car, relationship, job, or the like.
In order to be as succesful as possible during this journey, I need to remain focused, and not think about what is going to happen this time next year. One day at a time, one day at a time.
Speaking about days and time, today I didn't hear anything from that lady about the job at the research clinic. I have one more day, lets hope she is saving the best for last? Otherwise, it is back to square one.
But then again, when i was in NYC I was certainly in a differnt mindset. I wasnt motivated, I wasn't as resourceful, and I sure as shit wasn't thinking about med school - I was too wrapped up in my Masters program and the crazy idea of being a best-selling author who lived up in the Catskills in a log cabin with more cats than Hemmingway. So I guess in the grand scheme of things, It's alright... I shouldnt beat myself up too badly.
A few days ago, I sent out about a dozen unsolicited emails to doctors locally and at the med school in regard to research opportunities. I think I already mentioned that. Anyways, so far I got one reply from a Dr in the Department of Neurology and one from a Dr in the Department of Urology. Options! Options! Woo!
Dr. Neuro told me to send him a resume as there are both volunteer research positions and paid ones (cool)starting september.
Dr. Uro said that if I'd like to meet with him to discuss various opportunities based on which level would be most appropriate academically and clinically, he's be happy to set up a time. I'll think about that over the weekend...
Living in the suburbs of Miami isnt a damn thing like living in NYC. You need a car. No exceptions. So, I was with my dad today looking for (my 4th, count it, 4th car) and he asked (in regard to how many months we should lease) if I am considering staying in Florida for "graduate school." Well, honestly I have considered the possibilty of a Florida school. Miami is just as good as a dead horse on a racetrak to me, but the rest of Florida I can deal with. So I told him that even though it is very premature to consider particular graduate programs, I was still considering Florida as an option.
What I was also thinking in my head was something like "yikes, what if i get accepted to a caribbean medical school?! I'm not going to base my career around the terms of a car lease!!!" I am hoping though that If I am forunate enough to get accepted, the terms of THAT will prevail over any other terms, car, relationship, job, or the like.
In order to be as succesful as possible during this journey, I need to remain focused, and not think about what is going to happen this time next year. One day at a time, one day at a time.
Speaking about days and time, today I didn't hear anything from that lady about the job at the research clinic. I have one more day, lets hope she is saving the best for last? Otherwise, it is back to square one.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Plot Thickens
I'm still not sure about the prospect of this job that I interviewed for today. It was pretty much a blind interview but it is at a pharmaceutical research company so I'm hoping that it will work out.
The interview itself was...interesting. The woman who interviewed me asked me a few questions that I havent been asked in a while during an interview. Honestly.
1) Tell me one thing about yourself that isnt on your resume
2) Where do you see yourself in five years (I hate that one...)
3) What do you think you can bring to this company
4) Give me an example of a big challenge you've faced and how you overcame it
Except for the first one, I think they all threw me off. No fair! I'm just keeping my fingers crossed... She said that she needs to fill ALL the positions by this friday so I hope that I'll hear from her.
I have a few other things on my mind in regard to this that I wanted to express but in the interest of not jinxing myself, I'll hold off.
Anyways, I printed out information regarding volunteering at the Red Cross. I'm thinking that this might be the most flexible option as opposed to hospital volunteering. Most of the hospital volunteering requires more hours than I can spare at the moment.
I also emailed Mr. Bascom Palmer and told him that I would get back to him once I knew what the situation is with "job." The good thing about the position - oh , I didnt explain which position I had expressed interest in. The position title is "recruiter." Basically what the recruiter is supposed to do is find and interview potential subjects for the clinical trials. As I was saying, the good thing about the position is that it requires alternating weekends, which means that two weekdays will be my off days, which means that I can use those two days to shadow!!
This, of course, would be THE ideal situation...
Still, I havent mentioned to anyone my plan for med school - I dont plan on doing so. And, I dont feel badly about it. This is my baby, my secret, my scheme. I'm literally plotting and planning, thats exactly what I'm doing. I'll get the help I need from the right people but I dont want to divulge my plans and risk the possibility of not being able to follow through with it. Public humility. Of course, it runs deeper than that but this blog isnt therapy, so I'll leave it at that. Sometimes I daydream about surprising my parents at dinner with my framed acceptance letter. (I wonder what accepted students do with their letters. I'd certain frame mine...) If my kid surprised me with a med school acceptance letter, I would go through the roof with excitement.
Next up: Knowing more about my job situation will yield a better idea of how I can organize my shadowing, volunteering, or both. Also, on the 13th, my schools course database opens up so Ill be able to come up with a mock schedule for this fall.
The interview itself was...interesting. The woman who interviewed me asked me a few questions that I havent been asked in a while during an interview. Honestly.
1) Tell me one thing about yourself that isnt on your resume
2) Where do you see yourself in five years (I hate that one...)
3) What do you think you can bring to this company
4) Give me an example of a big challenge you've faced and how you overcame it
Except for the first one, I think they all threw me off. No fair! I'm just keeping my fingers crossed... She said that she needs to fill ALL the positions by this friday so I hope that I'll hear from her.
I have a few other things on my mind in regard to this that I wanted to express but in the interest of not jinxing myself, I'll hold off.
Anyways, I printed out information regarding volunteering at the Red Cross. I'm thinking that this might be the most flexible option as opposed to hospital volunteering. Most of the hospital volunteering requires more hours than I can spare at the moment.
I also emailed Mr. Bascom Palmer and told him that I would get back to him once I knew what the situation is with "job." The good thing about the position - oh , I didnt explain which position I had expressed interest in. The position title is "recruiter." Basically what the recruiter is supposed to do is find and interview potential subjects for the clinical trials. As I was saying, the good thing about the position is that it requires alternating weekends, which means that two weekdays will be my off days, which means that I can use those two days to shadow!!
This, of course, would be THE ideal situation...
Still, I havent mentioned to anyone my plan for med school - I dont plan on doing so. And, I dont feel badly about it. This is my baby, my secret, my scheme. I'm literally plotting and planning, thats exactly what I'm doing. I'll get the help I need from the right people but I dont want to divulge my plans and risk the possibility of not being able to follow through with it. Public humility. Of course, it runs deeper than that but this blog isnt therapy, so I'll leave it at that. Sometimes I daydream about surprising my parents at dinner with my framed acceptance letter. (I wonder what accepted students do with their letters. I'd certain frame mine...) If my kid surprised me with a med school acceptance letter, I would go through the roof with excitement.
Next up: Knowing more about my job situation will yield a better idea of how I can organize my shadowing, volunteering, or both. Also, on the 13th, my schools course database opens up so Ill be able to come up with a mock schedule for this fall.
When one door closes.....
I decided to call the research professor that I had intended on hopefully doing bench research with at UM's Department of dermatology and cutaneous surgery. I hadn't heard from her in about a week and needed to see what was going on before I move forward. Although I realize that there is a lot of time commitment involved with this research, when I spoke with her, she seemed like she was deterring me from becoming involved and I'm not sure why. I thought that maybe she's had a bad experience before with overly enthusiastic undergrads who didnt know what they were getting themselves into. I got the hint. She suggested I consider clinical research, which is not as time consuming. Maybe I should. I've done clinical research before and thats why I wanted to try something different.
But I understand that I cannot compromise my GPA with research that takes up at least 12 hours a week!
On that note, I emailed a few people at Miller in regard to shadowing opportunities. I need to secure a few shadowing hours as well. I didnt think I would get a reply so soon (or at all) but I did. From an opthamologist at Bascom Palmer (Bascom Palmer!!) Thankfully he seemed enthusiastic about letting me shadow him in both the clinic AND OR. Now how often do you get a deal like that??
However, an hour later, I receive a call from a prospective employer in regard to a possible full time position. My NEW dilemma is, if i get a full time job, how the fuck am I suppose to do any research or shadowing after 5pm or on weekends? Good thing I didnt close the deal with Bascom yet. Maybe if I can shadow at a hospital where they dont "close," then I could be alright for weekends. Thats going to be a challenge, for sure.
Or maybeeee I can kill two birds with one stone though. I can knock out my volunteer issue by hopefully doing something on the weekend, and while I'm there I can network and see if I can find someone to shadow once a week. Saturday's...
I should probably wait to see what happens with this job though. If I can secure a part time job, I will be thrilled!!! I think this is the first time ever I'd prefer a part time job over a full time job. Let's see how it goes. The woman I spoke with said that she wanted to discuss a few opportunities "in person" So its not like I'm even going in there knowing what to expect. Oh, I should add that the position in question is at a pharmaceutical research company. They conduct clinical trials. Basically, they use humans as guinea pigs on site. Cool.
Soon to come: an update on the job/shadowing/volunteer/research catastrophe
But I understand that I cannot compromise my GPA with research that takes up at least 12 hours a week!
On that note, I emailed a few people at Miller in regard to shadowing opportunities. I need to secure a few shadowing hours as well. I didnt think I would get a reply so soon (or at all) but I did. From an opthamologist at Bascom Palmer (Bascom Palmer!!) Thankfully he seemed enthusiastic about letting me shadow him in both the clinic AND OR. Now how often do you get a deal like that??
However, an hour later, I receive a call from a prospective employer in regard to a possible full time position. My NEW dilemma is, if i get a full time job, how the fuck am I suppose to do any research or shadowing after 5pm or on weekends? Good thing I didnt close the deal with Bascom yet. Maybe if I can shadow at a hospital where they dont "close," then I could be alright for weekends. Thats going to be a challenge, for sure.
Or maybeeee I can kill two birds with one stone though. I can knock out my volunteer issue by hopefully doing something on the weekend, and while I'm there I can network and see if I can find someone to shadow once a week. Saturday's...
I should probably wait to see what happens with this job though. If I can secure a part time job, I will be thrilled!!! I think this is the first time ever I'd prefer a part time job over a full time job. Let's see how it goes. The woman I spoke with said that she wanted to discuss a few opportunities "in person" So its not like I'm even going in there knowing what to expect. Oh, I should add that the position in question is at a pharmaceutical research company. They conduct clinical trials. Basically, they use humans as guinea pigs on site. Cool.
Soon to come: an update on the job/shadowing/volunteer/research catastrophe
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