Fall Blog Series:

From Undergrad to Grad:

This fall we’re asking some of our second-year students about their experience going to graduate school right after completing their undergraduate degrees. We hope their answers will be helpful for anyone taking the journey towards graduate school.

This week we asked:

Any advice for people who want to apply while they are in school?

I recommend taking a step back and asking yourself if you have enough “real-world” experience that you feel prepared for graduate school and beyond. When I did this, I personally felt like I wanted the opportunity to work full-time in a position that provided me with experience and skills related to genetic counseling before starting graduate school. I made the decision to graduate from undergrad a semester early so I could have that opportunity.

I recommend working on your personal statement over the summer, as well as taking the GRE exam.  Having a draft of your personal statement and just adding revisions in the fall can really save a lot of time. 

If you can, I would also look ahead at what classes you will be taking in the fall and spring of your senior year, and make sure it is manageable to get everything done and attend interviews. Ask well in advance for letters of recommendation and provide deadlines to the individuals who will write the letters. 

Overall, my biggest piece of advice is to get a really great planner and write everything down and set goals and deadlines for yourself!

Start early! There are many letters to write, paperwork to assemble, and tests to take and preparing to apply takes more time than you may think. Also, finding multiple knowledgeable people who can review your application materials is definitely a plus! 

Many schools have professional workshops available through their career services departments that could be very useful!

Advice for Class of 2020 from Class of 2019

We are excited to welcome the class of 2020 to the University of Pittsburgh Genetic Counseling Program!  The second-year students have compiled some tips and a bit of advice to share in hopes of making the next two years go as smoothly as possible.  

Some of the class of 2019 and 2020 at our welcome picnic

You will be provided with a wealth of information over these two years that will ensure you are a competent and thriving genetic counselor. I was amazed at the growth I had, both in the classroom and my few months in the clinic. Learn as much as you can but know that a lot will come over time. I joined this field because I wanted lifelong learning - and that means I will never know everything, and that is okay!

My best advice is to keep things in perspective. You are all going to be incredible genetic counselors, in less than 2 years! The day-to-day can sometimes be difficult, but I have found that gratitude and positivity are two great motivators. Speaking of the day-to-day, I am a big advocate of being organized and staying on top of school work.

Study parties are a great way to stay on top of school work!

Make sure to take time out for yourself and enjoy the little things - whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood, dinner with friends, or calling a loved one back home. 

The University of Pittsburgh is a great place to be!

 I am a huge advocate for staying organized!  Some days you may need to triage between studying, assignments, readings, etc. so knowing what you need to get done and when is a huge help!  Don’t forget that everyone is here to help you become a successful genetic counselor, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek help when you need it.  Of course, I’d also recommend taking the time to experience all Pittsburgh has to offer, it’s a great city!

Don’t forget that there is so much more to learn outside of school through clinic and extra-curricular activities - try to get a diverse experience. Your peers are a fantastic resource, not only for academics but also for stress release and comfort. Take your time and enjoy these two years- they’ll go faster than you think. You’ll do amazing, and I hope you all enjoy it!

Be ready to accept and ask for help. This is all new and exciting material and it’s important to take care of yourself, and one of the ways to do that is by getting help when you need it! Take some time for yourself on a regular basis to practice some self-care. And remember you’ll have learned more by the end of each day than what you knew before and that is a magical thing! 

This bit of advice has become important for me to remind myself of lately, in moments when it seems like I am just trying to power my way through and get finished with the program: being in school doesn’t mean you are hitting pause, waiting to start your “real life”, or taking a professional detour. Especially because I came back to get my master’s degree after several years working, it can sometimes feel like people view a return to school as one of the above. I also remember feeling similarly when I started my undergraduate degree- like I couldn’t wait to speed through and get to my “real life” or start “adulting”. The truth is, this is life, and it is one of the times it will be the fullest (a blessing and a curse at times haha)! Try to be present- soak up the contact you will have with incredible people from the field, being at the center of it all, hearing the newest news, and watching yourself grow exponentially in your personal and professional skills.

Some of the class of 2019

My Experience Working with Sickle Cell

One of my favorite aspects of Pitt’s program is that it encourages us to hold a relevant work position throughout our two years here. Having spent some time “in the real world” before making the plunge back into school, I came to appreciate that there are skills and lessons best learned outside of the classroom. Ultimately, Pitt is training us to excel as genetic counselors. Our work positions provide an additional avenue to build vital professional skills.

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh 

As a dual degree (MS/MPH) student, I am fortunate to have found a work position with a similar dual nature. Each week, I split my time between the Pediatric Sickle Cell Department at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP) and the Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation (CSCF). These two groups work collaboratively to provide comprehensive care to children with sickle cell disease and to their families. It is a true model of public health, addressing the physical, emotional, and social well-being of this community. Through working with both teams, I have learned ways to address common issues such as transportation to appointments and communication with schools about missed days due to illness. These are things that may get overlooked by health care providers but are real impediments to an individual’s management of their health.

In my student worker position at CHP, I am able to shadow appointments during clinic days. This augments the already robust clinical experience that Pitt provides. Through shadowing the Sickle Cell team, I get to learn about clinical management and genetic counseling for hemoglobinopathies (genetic disorders that are caused by variant forms of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen around in our blood). My supervisor at the clinic, Dr. Hillery, encourages me to take advantage of all educational opportunities. In the spring, this included a talk on sickle cell pain by a visiting clinician, followed by a more intimate Q&A session. I also get to develop patient educational tools, specifically fact sheets about various hemoglobinopathies. Additionally, through my help with managing the Sickle Cell database, I have learned how to navigate the infamous Electronic Medical Record system. This was one less thing to learn when rotations started! Finally, you cannot be in Pitt’s Graduate School of Public Health without learning about Newborn Screening. My position provides me first-hand experience with this public health program through sending biweekly letters to parents whose babies have screened positive for sickle cell trait. We are currently evaluating the letter that western Pennsylvania sends out for this purpose, and my feedback has contributed to the revision process. I have been able to incorporate this into my thesis research, which will examine the impact of the notification letter on families’ understanding of sickle cell trait.  As you may be able to tell, there is no shortage of opportunities for learning at the clinic alone!

Newborn Screening

My second role is as a program assistant with CSCF. Here, I work with a team of Community Health Workers to coordinate activities and services for those within the sickle cell community. We offer programs such as swim lessons and math tutoring on the weekends, trips to plays, museums, and amusement parks throughout the year, and special holiday events. One of the highlights of my year has been our Season2Give event where the children were able to pick out gifts for their siblings, which we as “Santa’s Elves” wrapped. All these events provide a wonderful opportunity to get to know families in a context beyond the clinic. CSCF additionally performs a patient advocacy role, which includes assisting with the development of Individualized Educational Programs and providing assistance with meals and transportation to families when needed. As a future genetic counselor, I am so appreciative to be learning how to navigate the logistics of these crucial support services.

Time is one of your most precious resources in graduate school. While work can sometimes seem like one more thing to try to cram into an already packed schedule, my work position has provided me with some of the most valuable (and fun!) experiences of graduate school. As I continue working towards my career as a genetic counselor, I am excited to see how many other ways my work with this wonderful team can help me build my professional toolkit.

Caitlin Russell 

Summer Series: Back to school...Again Part 6

This summer the University of Pittsburgh Genetic Counseling Program introduced a summer blog series focusing on students who made the choice to come back to school after taking time off between their undergraduate or other graduate work prior to applying to the genetic counseling program. These students worked in a variety of jobs and each has brought a different perspective about coming back to school.

In our final blog of our summer series “Back to school…Again” we answer one final question:

What advice do you have for anyone who is considering going back to school? 

I would suggest having a very clear picture in your mind of what your ideal profession and lifestyle would be.  Make that ideal place your goal in your mind and work backwards from there. What do you need to make it a reality?  Another way to think about it would be to imagine yourself in your ideal position, looking back at yourself now.  Do you think you would be happy with the decisions you made along the way?  This always helps me when I have to make big decisions.

-- Sarah Brunker

Having held three very different jobs after college, I definitely am an advocate for taking some time off from school to explore your interests. It can be helpful to take a few steps in the wrong direction to confirm that it is not the right fit for you. However, I also think that at a certain point, you are “ready enough.” Brace yourself for some bumps in the first few months, and, invest in a good planner.-- Caitlin Russell

 

School supplies

Be confident in whatever you decide.  I was so sure there was one right answer when I was in undergrad.  I started teaching to give myself more time to find the perfect solution. But life happened and I realized that there are so many different paths to success and happiness.  You have to be sure you can see your life being truly fulfilled because of this next step.  I would also encourage you to be honest about what you don’t know.  Ask questions about program structure or things you think you should have “picked up already.”  Starting this process by being honest about gaps in knowledge will ensure you get all your questions answered and a great exercise in problem solving that you’ll be sure to draw on in grad school, no matter what program you decide!  --Kelsey Bohnert

A library might be the perfect place to do your school research!

Although it sounds simple, don’t forget to determine your own needs and wants in a graduate program. Genetic counseling programs share many similarities but they also have unique experiences to offer their students. It’s important to think about what you want out of your training and the things that are most important to you. This might be things like location, cost, clinical experiences, or program structure. Be sure to take the time to research the program and see how it compares to your wish list. --Alyssa Azevedo

 

Get Ready for Study Parties! 

It is really hard to say good-bye to a job, and a salary, and the ability to fly to Norway for a week just for fun. I had to uproot my life, and to move to take on graduate school.  My husband and I knew it was very likely that we would be changing cities (he would be changing jobs) so that's not a small thing, but I think the best advice is that there are always reasons to not do things, but there will never be a perfect time so embrace that this might be the right time. Also, invest in a nice backpack...computers are really heavy. 

– Natasha Robin Berman

If you have a break between graduating from a four-year program, and starting this one, take a class or two. It can never hurt, and will get you back into the swing of lectures and studying. Sitting in class all day, actively listening, is not passive; if you engage in a lecture (which I recommend), it is active: a conversation between you and the instructor. I underestimated the energy it takes to sustain that internal dialogue, so if you are in class all day and A.) feel totally exhausted, or B.) feel like you didn’t get much accomplished, remind yourself that good listening is hard work!-- Charlotte Skinner

Back to School...Again Part 5

We continue our summer series with our fifth installment. 

In the penultimate part of our series ”Going Back to School”… students continue to answer questions about what it is like to leave the working world to enter graduate school. We hope our experiences have helped others feel more confident about the prospect of going back to school. This weeks’ blog post asks: 

What recommendations do you have for surviving grad school?

I think the most important part is to know yourself and set yourself up for success.  Maybe take a class at night or online to practice being a student again.  Definitely know your study habits and find a steady spot (or two) ahead of time to get your work done.  A nice desk setup, coffee shop, or library spot is critically important.  Know what you need to succeed, be it a coffee maker, a nice pair of headphones, or a study buddy.  A set schedule or a gym membership may also come in super handy. – Sarah Brunker

Be patient with yourself. Appreciate that you are a different person than you were in undergrad and in any past work positions. This is a new experience with different constraints and goals. I initially tried to fall back on my old strategies for both studying and stress relief and realized that many were no longer a good fit. On the practical side, it is not a bad idea to take an in-person course over the summer before going back in order to get a refresher on how to take notes and manage assignments.-- Caitlin Russell

A sense of humor and humility are key here.  Being able to understand what you don’t understand and then reach out to the appropriate channels is just a grad school requirement.  The faster you can accept that this is a new day and a new challenge, the faster you’ll be able to embrace the process.  Keeping perspective has also really helped to alleviate some of the stress as well.  Unlike undergrad, I am more motivated by knowledge than points this time around. This has really given me the freedom to look further into topics presented in class and forgive myself for test scores that were a little disappointing.  In the end, grad school is about preparing you for your career, so being able to appreciate all the learning opportunities will make you a better professional. -- Kelsey Bohnert

Remind yourself that going back to school isn’t easy. It takes time to transition back and adjust to academic challenges such as sitting in lectures each day, studying, and taking exams. It’s important to be patient and reward yourself for your achievements (no matter how small).– Alyssa Azevedo

This is a really good time to readjust and try to integrate good practice into your everyday life, for me it is doing things like yoga or other important self-care - by making myself a priority now I know I’m creating good habits that I can use when I’m in the ‘real world’. I also think it is important to remember that while it is easy to get swept up in the small stuff, the larger picture is that I’ll get to be a genetic counselor at the end of this, and trying to get everything out of my time in school so I’m the most prepared I can be is the more important thing. I think really trying to challenge yourself in the safe space that is school and your training is really helpful, it is hard but at the end you’ll know you really gave it everything and with grad school (like so many things in life) you get out of it what you put in. 
– Natasha Robin Berman

Buy a giant desk calendar. In a rather frantic trip to Staples one night, after fumbling through my first couple of weeks, I found myself in line with a gigantic desk calendar. It proved pivotal in improving my time-management skills the first semester. Having the month out in front of me was instantly relieving. In a glance, I could budget my time week to week, knowing when I needed to buckle down, and when I could afford a day for self-care. Now, filling it out it is a monthly ritual. Secondly, carve out enough time for some exercise (even just a walk!), healthy food, and sleep- no matter how hard it may get (you’re not you when you’re hungry, or sleepy, right!?). Lastly, be kind, be curious, be bold, and be courteous. -- Charlotte Skinner

Back to School...Again Part 2 

Applying to graduate school is always an intense process and it can be daunting to think about going back to school once you have been out. Some of our second-year genetic counseling students answer questions about their choice to come back to school and their process to prepare as part of our six-part summer blog series. We continue with part two of our series and students answer the question: How did you prepare to apply to graduate school?

Before applying I requested informational interviews over the phone or through email with several of the genetic counseling program directors.  I spoke with several current genetic counselors in a variety of specialties.  I read about different training programs and hospital systems, and made a list of the different program attributes, including unique opportunities available and any prerequisites I may have been missing.  I took two courses online, which was really helpful in easing myself back into being a student again. – Sarah Brunker

I applied to work at a local company that I thought would put me in the center of the genetic testing world, offering to fill whatever position they would give me for that opportunity. I took a few relevant online courses and read a lot of books and articles. I also made sure to really appreciate my sleep and free time with family and friends. --Caitlin Russell

Research and excel sheets.  My classmates would probably describe me as laid back, but when I make big decisions like this, I really need to see all the options laid out.  I had sheets for different career choices that included educational requirements and job market projection, sheets for potential programs of interest with tuition and deadlines, and pro/con sheets for leaving my students.  I would spend a few hours each week looking over the options and really narrowing it down to options that seemed reasonable.  Once I had it down to 5 or so programs (including genetic counseling and some PhD programs), I reached out to people at the schools that could answer more personal questions.  I choose programs that would accept my past experience and undergraduate coursework, to avoid enrolling in more pre-requisite classes. By being deliberate about my applications, I was able to save time and money—things you will be grateful for in grad school. --Kelsey Bohnert

I found it helpful to give myself small goals and a general timeline. When you are working full-time, it isn’t easy to convince yourself to study for the GRE or work on your application and these are things you don’t want to wait on. More specific things I did to prepare, were to speak with as many genetic counselors as I could since shadowing opportunities were limited in my area. I also began volunteering and strengthening my application through advocacy experiences. – Alyssa Azevedo 

I, personally, had to take quite a few courses that I didn’t take during my undergraduate career as a political science person. So for this I actually went back to school before I came back to school. This was really helpful to prep because I took all of the prerequisite classes in about two years, which meant it was all very fresh. I also talked to any genetic counselor who would talk to me, I couldn’t shadow all of them (because of privacy guidelines it can be tricky getting people to shadow) but at one point I emailed just about every genetic counselor  who was open to student contact in my state. I lucked out because two of them did let me intern with them and it was wonderful experience! I also tried to talk to current students, especially in the programs I was looking at to try to get a feel for what day to day life as a student would be like. I also listened to some genetics podcasts and read so many books (I actually asked most genetic counselors if they had any good book recommendations and they always did). I always recommend Far From the Tree! – Natasha Robin Berman

My job was integral in helping me prepare for the genetic counseling graduate program; the professional skills and scientific knowledge I acquired in my first career remain invaluable to my success, in and out of the classroom. I also had the opportunity to shadow two wonderful genetic counselors, who helped solidify my confidence in genetic counseling as the right career for me.--Charlotte Skinner

Choose Your Own Adventure: A Certificate Story

The University and the Genetic Counseling Program offer many valuable experiences, and Pittsburgh is never at a shortage of events or neighborhoods to explore, but prioritizing is paramount for a successful learning experience.  When I considered adding a certificate to my educational experience, I knew I needed to feel confident it was the right fit before I would be willing to make the commitment.  The main issues I considered were my personal connection with the certificate topics, how they would impact my practice, time obligations, and, to a lesser extent, logistics. What follows is an abridged version of my decision-making process before adding the LGBT Health Certificate to my graduate experience.   Full disclosure: I’m a huge fan of Excel sheets, so this was originally done in more of a weighted calculation rubric set-up, but a narrative of my decision-making seemed more reader friendly. 

I insisted on taking summer classes throughout college, taught for four years, and still consider nonfiction a pleasure to read.  In short, I enjoy learning.  In undergrad, I ended up adding a minor and a certificate because I just couldn’t quit reading course descriptions and signing up.  It may be a problem, but it’s also led to some of my most enriching educational experiences.  A Global Politics of HIV/AIDS course changed the way I view access to healthcare and the stigmas that surround certain diseases.  A community engagement course led to a position as a volunteer coordinator in a fair-trade store where I was stunned by the impact that micro loans and artisan ownership can have on the global economy.  The certificate program would once again allow an opportunity to step outside of the prescribed curriculum and explore how other public health concerns could impact our practice as genetic counselors.  While some seemed to be close to classes I was already taking, classes that would allow the greatest chance to meet other students and step outside of the expected were of the most interest.  Everyone identifies with different aspects of our healthcare system and it was exciting to see that Pitt Public Health takes this into account.  There was Health Systems Leadership and Management or Health Care Systems Engineering for those most interested in management and infrastructure.  Other courses seemed to offer a more in-depth look at topics touched on in our required classes, like Global Health and Public Health Genetics.  Because of my interest and passion in health equity, I was interested in certificates that focused on how minority groups navigate their healthcare and how I could facilitate access for these groups.  Several certificates allowed the opportunity to work with different communities, so I knew it was not a matter of whether or not to pursue a certificate, but which one to choose

As professionals, we adopt the tenets of our chosen careers.  Genetic counseling focuses on empowerment of our clients and a holistic, non-directive, egalitarian approach to healthcare.  It was this focus on access to services and the client-centered care that initially drew me to genetic counseling, and Pitt specifically.  My personal tenets aligned with ensuring that despite barriers, a patient was able to understand their options and select next steps that aligned best with their values and beliefs.  Being in the Human Genetics Department in the School of Public Health, we have the unique experience of gaining a deep understanding of the biology while looking more globally at how individuals fit into the population approach to medicine.  I knew this inclusive perspective would provide an excellent basis for my future career, but the certificate allowed me to further inform my future practice.  I had already identified a few options that I was passionate about, and wanted to see what links could be made specifically to genetic counseling.  I met with Robin and Andrea to discuss certificate options and, as always, they were extremely supportive.  We talked through the various options, and although I felt that the Health Equity certificate may have the easiest translation, they could tell I was most interested in LGBT Individuals’ Health and Wellness.  I was passionate about the queer community’s rights to family planning and how they might use genetic counseling services in a unique way.  The final step was to contact the Director of the certificate, Dr. Ron Stall, to see how I might fit into the program. Within one conversation, he had given me no less than three thesis ideas connecting LGBT health and genetic counseling.  His excitement assured me that taking on these extra classes could have an impact on my learning and hopefully the field. 

Each certificate has unique classwork and practicum requirements.  The LGBT certificate involves three required courses, seven elective credits, a thesis project, and a practicum.  I wanted to make sure the schedule would still allow me to finish by the spring semester of my second year.  I work 20 hours a week remotely as a data entry clerk for a cancer genetics company.  Having the flexibility to work from home allowed me to work in a class this semester.  Moving forward I will have to find space for at least two classes and ensure that my thesis is focused on an LGBT health topic.  Dr. Stall worked with my schedule to make sure I could start on the coursework right away and the required classes are helping me to begin work on my thesis in a timely fashion.  As I’ve found with Pitt in general, the faculty is willing to go above and beyond to make sure your educational opportunities align with your future goals.  So as far as time commitment, I have had to add a few classes, but the faculty has been extremely accommodating about what classes qualify and how they would work in my schedule. 

The last consideration was the logistics.  No discussion about higher education is complete without some consideration for expense.  The Pitt program is very aware of the financial burden graduate students take on and is always willing to work with you.  While taking extra classes will inevitably mean more money, they have been very helpful about planning the timing of courses and ensuring the financial aid has been lined up.  Because so many of the human genetics students are genetic counseling students, classes in these programs often don’t conflict, but the same is not true when you step outside of the department.  Andrea and Robin were able to help me look at the schedule and move it around so I could meet all the requirement.  Honestly, I cannot stress how reassuring it’s been to have the faculty rooting for me and removing the road blocks along the way.  For me, the extra money and added hours were well worth the promise of this unique addition to my degree. 

In my case, all roads pointed to the certificate program.  After taking my first class this semester, my choice has been validated.  Advanced Topics in LGBT Research  required us to choose a LGBT health disparity and write a grant proposal for a future research endeavor.  The opportunity to work with students in other departments in an intimate, discussion-based atmosphere is one of the highlights of my week.  I would encourage anyone to just take a quick scroll through the website to see if you can spot a possible creative connection between genetic counseling and one of the other certificate topics.

Just a final note on a certificate versus dual degree:  Pitt also offers a dual MPH option.  As I divulged earlier, I find it nearly impossible to say no to an extra class, and so I also considered this option.  It required a lot of soul searching to decline that opportunity.  Because of my interests in research, my timeline for finishing the course, and outside obligations, the certificate was a better fit for me.  I had completed a Masters in Research last year and knew that the MPH focus was not where I pictured my career going.  Both the dual degree and certificate programs are wonderful options and warrant consideration before making your final decision for genetic counseling training. 

Kelsey Bohnert - Class of 2019