As a first-generation graduate student, I have found immense value in sharing the Genetic Counseling profession with my family and friends. Although it may seem isolating embarking on secondary education, there are shared experiences amongst my cohort. For example, my peers and I have all encountered at least one person that is learning about genetic counseling for the first time – being a niche healthcare profession. I’ve balanced all sorts of questions like; what interests you about this field, how long is your program, where do you envision working, and so on. In my case, I’ve fielded these curiosities for a while, and this stems from how invested my support system is in my career. Their hope is that I work in a field where I can feel fulfilled, be financially independent, and contribute back to the community. I’m sure these values can be applicable to many, so I would like to share some advice as I enter my second year of graduate school.
1. Lean on your community
Navigating graduate school, especially one as rigorous as genetic counseling, has significantly improved when I involve my support system. For example, I’ve practiced genetics concepts and taking family histories with my parents and cousins. Not only did this help work out my questions and nerves, but it also clarified what exactly a GC talks about with my family members. They’ve learned about the intricacies in genetics concepts and the key role GCs play in healthcare. In addition, I’ve definitely leaned on my cohort throughout this first-year. We’ve planned times to practice patient simulations with each other, take breaks and explore Pittsburgh, and check in on how each other is doing with coursework. Lean on your cohort, as they are training for genetic counseling for the first time too!
2. Understanding self-care and its importance
Self-care is incredibly important for graduate school, but it is key for our career as well! We need to find hobbies and routines that can bring us comfort after stressful days and emotionally heavy patient cases. Burnout in this career is real and our leadership makes sure that we check in with ourselves through advising appointments and in between classes. Practicing self-care will help us be fully present with patients, and makes this a key element in our training.
Everyone’s approach to self-care is a little bit different, but I find it helpful to have one of each: physical, mindful, and social. My weekly routine includes calling my friends and family after my school/work day, going on long walks, and taking yoga classes. While a majority of my support system is outside of Pittsburgh, calling them regularly makes it seem like they are right next to me and in the thick of it. I also love to try new skincare, explore new restaurants with friends, and find time to unwind with TV shows. Be sure to read Julie (Food for the Soul), Emily (Community Crawl), and Leslie’s (Friends, Hobbies, and Mental Health in Grad School) posts, as they’ve got amazing advice!
3. Believe in yourself!
Creating a robust study plan, reaching out to faculty for support, and being honest with your cohort will help you gain the most out of your graduate school experience. I’ve used SMART goals to help break down large items on my to-do list into approachable and timely tasks. There are going to be exams or assignments that build up over the semester, so managing your time and expectations is really valuable. Second, I’ve really appreciated that faculty and leadership in this training program are open to meeting with you one-on-one to discuss topics that you might need help on. This requires initiative and vulnerability, but ultimately they are here to support your education. I would advise reaching out sooner than later to ensure you’re comfortable with the material before moving on! Lastly, I am truly thankful for our cohort for being so supportive, patient, and honest with each other. We are driven by the same passion and care for others, so it's nice to cheer each other on!
Remember, you are stepping out and embarking on a new path. Be proud of yourself!
