- Name: Jed N.
- Year Of Graduation: 2021
- College/University: University of Alberta
- Major: Biological Science, Business minor
What do you do for a living?
I’m currently a final-year medical student in Singapore, the first in my family to pursue medicine. This means I live, but don’t make a living hahaha.
Can you tell me about your job search experience after graduation?
I guess this would mostly be the transition between finishing undergrad and moving into med school. I went through two cycles of medical school applications, in my 3rd and 4th years of undergrad. I can comfortably say that those two-ish years were some of the most stressful of my life. Perhaps this period of applications is something that everyone could relate to, not just those aspiring to study medicine.
After completing my MCAT and receiving my results at the beginning of 3rd year, I applied to my in-province medical schools. I knew that being a slightly non-traditional applicant, I would have a difficult time competing with many of my more qualified peers. However, the rejections still stung and were incredibly demoralizing. The following year after applying again, I was hoping for a different outcome. However, I more or less resigned to a statement made by one of the medical school’s deans, which said that prospective students should expect a minimum period of 5 years of applications before acceptance. Thankfully, despite this, I was accepted into my first-choice school after two agonizing years of applying and waiting. This entire experience is far in my rearview mirror now, but something that has helped shape who I am.
One important thing to remember while applying for new positions is to just shoot your shot. You never know if the missing piece in a specific company/school is you. Always put your best foot forward, or the best foot that you can at the time, because first impressions count. Also, if you believe in God or a higher calling, or even if you don’t, remember that you are always where you are meant to be.
Why did you choose your major? Would you still pick this major now, if you could go back in time?
My degree in biological sciences was incredibly broad and allowed me to “choose my own adventure” through undergrad. This was a double-edged sword: on one hand, I could take any class I wanted. However, I had very little guidance on what courses I needed to take to graduate, or how I could take higher-level classes that interested me. I would not have changed much, but I wish I had been exposed to genetics courses earlier in my degree. When I finally took a genetics class in my third year, it was almost too late for me to grow this newfound interest. My advice to those in their first couple of years of university is to take a diverse set of classes early on so that you can find out what you’re interested (or not interested) in.
If I asked you 3 years ago, what would you think you’d be doing right now (in life/career)?
Three years ago, I would have just started medical school. I am a quite different person now compared to then, largely in the intangible aspects. I think I would have been expecting myself to be in my final year, just finishing up school — not many expectations. Where I am now, in terms of my plans for the future and what I have experienced over the last 3 years, would not have been what I expected at the beginning of medical school. However, I am proud of who I am now, and the person I am becoming. A big part of that is sticking to what is important to me with each decision I make, big or small. It’s something my parents instilled in me since I was young, and I’ve found it to be quite sound wisdom.
What’s your biggest struggle right now?
Finishing school. Regardless of what anyone might tell you, medical school requires a lot of sacrifice. Ultimately, the sacrifices you make are dependent on what is important to you. You will either sacrifice your education or other parts of your life. Unfortunately, I have been sacrificing a bit too much from other aspects of my life lately. I’m working to find a balance between school and family.
The other thing I have been struggling with is burnout. I tend to place a large focus on my own health, but I’ve just had so much going on lately that I’ve become quite sleep-deprived and burnt out. The other day, I fell asleep standing up and only caught myself after my knees buckled and I almost fell haha.
If money was not a factor, what would you be working on or spending more time on?
I think many medical students’ dream is to graduate debt-free! However, currently I’m more restricted by time than finances. If I had more time, I would travel more. I fell in love with Vietnam and surfing, so I try to head out there whenever I get a break. I would also take more time to volunteer with youth, which is something I quite enjoy. I’m not sure if I would actually stop working entirely, as much as I joke that I’m ready to retire. Medicine in some sense is a passion project (I have to remind myself on my hardest days). It’s definitely not only about the money for me, as the fiscal return on investment is not great.
If we traveled 3 years into the future of your life, what would you hope we’d see?
Three years from now, I hope that I am becoming a good doctor; not too burnt out and doing the best I can for my patients. I’m hoping to figure out my specialty within the next couple of years and to be in residency by then. On the personal side, I’m looking to settle down and start looking to buy an apartment.
What advice and/or learnings would you give to current students or recent grads?
I took a couple of years off after high school to complete my National Service (NS), which is two years of military service required of Singaporean men. As a result, my timeline after high school has been very different from the friends I grew up with in Canada, but I don’t regret a single day of it.
I’ve come to learn and accept that everyone is writing their own story, and forging their own path. The best way to enjoy where you are is not to worry about what your friends are doing and just continue on your path; comparison is the thief of joy.
You might be where I was when I graduated high school: an average student, lost and uncertain about what’s next, feeling that everyone else has it all figured out. I can guarantee that most people feel right about the same. Even now, I don’t have a lot of things in my life figured out. The only difference is I have a lot more white hair, and I’m saddled with a lot more responsibilities. Just take things one step at a time, and you’ll be able to figure things out!
More about medicine.
This bit is for all my future colleagues and those considering medicine (or if you’re just curious what a final year med student has to say). Medicine is not an easy path. The process is incredibly humbling, no matter how adept an individual is. I have watched many brilliant classmates face difficulties at one point or another. For me, those kinds of days occur more often than not; whether by the exams, my patients, or school-related responsibilities. You will need to be incredibly, incredibly, resilient. You also need to be a team player, as going through med school alone will be quite miserable. I’ve had the privilege to make many new friends in medical school, and you will find that medicine has the tendency to attract some phenomenal people. One thing I’ve found that really helps make and maintain friends is to be graceful in victory and humble in defeat, and help each other out as much as you can.
Next, if you think that there is anything else you want to do, even the faintest inkling of trying something else, don’t pursue medicine yet. Pursue that thought or opportunity first. For me, although I’m only in the beginning stages of my training and had no desire to pursue other professions or interests, the thought of leaving to do something else has crept in on some of the really hard days. The only thing that has kept me going is knowing that there is nothing else I would rather do.
Despite all the hardships, sacrifices, and stress, there is no other profession like this. I’ve had jobs in the past where I would dread to wake up in the mornings to head to work. I have rarely had those days since I joined medical school, regardless of how much I liked or disliked the specialty. One of the special things about this profession is a trust that patients have in their doctors. I’ve had glimpses of those moments as a medical student, and even had chances to bond with patients myself. Having the opportunity and ability to help people on some of their worst days is an indescribable privilege.
A few months ago, I had the chance to speak with a patient who had just received a very poor prognosis (which I learned about through our conversations). Since I had a bit more time that afternoon, I went in (encouraged by my mentors) to be a listening ear. Hearing them grapple with their thoughts left a profound impact on me. Several months have passed since our conversations, but I’m still reminded of their strength of character and resilience a couple of times a week. My patients have been some of my greatest teachers; this patient reminded me about why I work and study so hard. Moments like these, though few and far between, helps me to put things back in perspective.
Connect With Jed:
- LinkedIn: @jedng
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