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CREATING A PLAN B:Alternatives to Professional School

Brittany M. Wampler, M.Ed.Coordinator, Pre-Professional Health Programs

College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Center

MC 218

Cleveland State University

2121 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44115-2214

b.m.garner71@csuohio.edu

Phone: 216-687-9321

Introduction & Expectations

• Welcome!

• My Career Story

• Expectations for time together

– No Cell Phones

– Actively Listen & Engage

– Ask questions where appropriate!

What to Expect

• How to go through the decision-making

process when choosing secondary options

• Learning how to take a strengths-based

approach to decision making

• Current and viable Plan B options

• Introduction to resources

What does career success mean to you?

What is a Plan B?

•Back-up Plan

•What you can reasonably do if you do

not get accepted into professional

school.

•When your first option doesn’t

materialize, you should…

Why have a Plan B?

•Feel hopeful, not hopeless

•Feel empowered, not trapped

•Feel motivated, not reaching

Options we will consider today…

Career Re-Direction

Work

Reapplying

Quick Activity

Question 1

• Who did you look up to when you were

younger and why?

Question 2

• What was your favorite book or movie

growing up and why?

Question 3

• Favorite quote or saying?

Responses

How are these questions used?

• Who you look up to Construction of self

• Favorite book or movie Central Life

Themes/Strategies for life challenges as

represented by character coping

strategies

• Favorite quote or saying Guide for life

decisions, best advice to self

Career Re-direction

Exploring Options: Using Values, Interests, Strengths

• Consider what you enjoy and what you actually like to do.

– What activities have you always enjoyed?

– What are your favorite and least favorite subjects?

– What skills do you have and what skills need to be

developed?

– What type of career would you enjoy?

– What work environment would you enjoy?

• Before you can choose another career, it is important to

know yourself and be able to answer these questions and

more.

Only 20% of American workers

who were surveyed (3,200) are

Engaged/ Passionate about their

jobs. The other 80% fall into the

other category –

Disengaged/Passive.

“Measuring the Forces of Long-term Change,” Deloitte’s Shift Index Survey, 2009.

Center for the Edge, p. 70.

Exploring Options: CSU Resources

• Career Center (Rhodes West, Room 280)

• Self Assessments (MBTI, Strengths,

Strong)

• Exploratory Advising (MC 110)

– Focus Assessment

– Online resources

• CSC 121: Career Orientation

Exploring Options: Internet Resources

• Explorehealthcareers.org

• Onetonline.org

• Strengthsquest.com

• “What can I do with a major in?” websites

• See other online resources on the

handout!

Exploring Options: Informational Interviewing

• Gather information about a career through

interviewing someone in that career

• Start with family/friends and use

connections

• Send professional email/cover letter format

• Create a list of questions to bring with you

• Send a thank you note

Exploring Options: Non-traditional Careers in

Healthcare• Community Health

Worker

• Patient Advocate

• Perfusionist

• Genetic Counselor

• Health Educator

• Healthcare

Administrator

• Naturopathic Doctor

• Dosimetrist

• Anesthesiologist

Assistant

• Orthotist and

Prosthetist

• Geriatrician

• Optician

“The only thing worse than

being paid little-to-nothing to do

what you love is being paid

anything to do something you

hate.”

Campus2Careeers http://uweeklyaustin.com/article/campus2careers-188/

Work

Short-Term Work Appointments

• Beneficial if you need to take time before

reapplying

• Allows for time to figure out future plans

while getting experience in another field

• Gain exposure to various communities,

disparities, people, places

Peace Corps

• Government Sponsored program

• 27 month commitment

• 18% of positions are health-related

– Public health education

– Health extension services

– Water and sanitation extension

• Service may lead to loan deferment

• Advantages when seeking federal jobs

• Training, stipend, travel, housing included

Teach for America

• Summer prior to service and two school

years commitment (27 months)

• Teach in a urban or rural district

• Rolling selection process

• Potential for loan forbearance

• Benefits included

AmeriCorps

• Government sponsored program for people

interested in community service/volunteer

work

• Summer programs – 1 year programs

• Volunteers placed throughout the US

• AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps NCCC

(National Civilian Community Corps)

City Year

• cityyear.org (an Americorps program)

• 25 Locations around the US, including

Cleveland

• 11 month commitment starting in July, 1700

work hours throughout the school year

• Working in underserved areas to fill the

education gap with tutoring, behavioral

coaching, support, etc.

Short-Term Considerations

• Be aware of your availability for professional

school interviews during your appointment.

• Consider how the short-term appointment

could help in your application.

• Consider how it could delay your application.

• Plan a timeline and consider what you want

to get out of the experience.

Full-Time Work

Considerations

• Experience

• Resume Writing

• Application Timeline

• Utilizing Resources

• Location

• Salary

• Job Market

Advice on Work

• Remember to capitalize on strengths. You will be a

better employee, person, and happier in what you do!

• Utilize university resources.

• Build a strong resume NOW.

• Apply early. It takes, on average, 3-6 months to land a

job.

• Plan.

• Find appropriate mentors to assist you in building

connections and who want to help.

REAPPLYING

Reapplying: Statistics to Consider

• In 2012, there were 45,266 applicants to the AMCAS application. – 2002: 33,624 applicants

– Roughly 26% increase in 10 years.

• In 2012, there were 19,518 students that matriculated to medical school.– 2002: 16,488 matriculants

– 15.5% increase in matriculants in 10 years

• Percentage matriculated– 2012: 43.1%

– 2002: 49%

Reapplying: Getting Feedback on Your Application

• Consult professionals, attend

enhancement workshops.

• Honestly appraise where you went wrong.

• Late applications

– When did you submit your professional

school application?

– Application Cycle begins in June

Reapplying: Casting a Wider Net

• Geographic: out of state, international, DO/MD,

DMD/DDS

• Choose schools that meet your criteria/interest you

• Research

• Check schools that align with your credentials (who

is getting in, not minimum GPA/entrance exam

scores)

• Average number of schools for medical school: 15

Reapplying: Do You Need to Retest?

Pro’s

• Taking entrance exam

before you were ready

• Allows schools to see that

you are committed and can

do better

• Timeline for studying

Con’s

• Score could get worse, stay

the same, go up

• Takes more time and likely

another year/another

application cycle

• Expensive

CONSIDER: Changing your prep method, how you study, paying for a

private course, how far away from your ideal number you are

Retesting: Statistics to Consider

Changes in MCAT Scores between 1st and

2nd Attempts (in percentages)

Initial Score N Negative

Impact

0 +1-2 +3-4 +5 or More

5-14 1256 20 9 19 23 30

15-20 4843 22 10 22 22 25

21-23 4951 23 11 25 22 19

24-29 10664 23 12 14 23 15

Data from 2008, 2009, 2010 years of students that tested twice in one year.

Final Thoughts

• Capitalize on your strengths and abilities.

• Stay true to self.

• Research, learn, make good decisions.

• Find mentors and people that can offer

concrete advice.

• Shadow!

More Help?

Brittany M. Wampler, M.Ed.

Coordinator, Pre-Professional Health Programs

College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising

Center

MC 218

Cleveland State University

2121 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44115-2214

b.m.garner71@csuohio.edu

Phone: 216-687-9321

THANK YOU!