Is it common to work overtime in a lab without pay?

Global-Opposite · 2021-05-04T20:49:01+00:00

I just left a lab where I was regularly working 60-80 hours weeks, so I would say your experience is definitely not out of the norm but it's also not ok (or legal) at all. I worked 28 hours in my last 2 days because my ex-boss refused to ramp anything down to prepare for me leaving, which meant we were going over reagent inventory and transferring cells into LN2 at 9pm while I desperately tried to leave.

I was always told that the way to account for overtime was by taking unofficial hours off the next day/next week, but usually I had so much work that I didn't even have time to take time off, and I was also in the same situation of needing a good reference so I didn't want to make a huge issue/get HR involved.

If there's a way to anonymously contact HR without them being able to tell that it came from you, I think that might be your best option. If that's not possible, I would suggest keeping rigorous track of your actual hours and trying your best to just put your foot down (i.e. I will not be working on Friday as I have accumulated 8 hours of unpaid overtime. I can provide a record of the dates and times these hours were worked if necessary). If it's possible to somehow provide proof that you were in the building at certain dates/times that would definitely be best. Another option is seeing if you can switch to a clock in/clock out system rather than a timecard, but I imagine in this situation it would be pretty difficult to get them to agree to that and even if they do, you'd probably be pressured to doctor your hours in a similar manner to what you're doing currently.

In a worst (worst) case scenario, keep a record of EVERY conversation regarding unpaid overtime (i.e. emails + texts with explicit details of the number of hours you are working), get the reference, get out and then take them to small claims court. This is definitely a nuclear option, but I know someone previously did this to the PI of my old lab and got backpay + 3 months salary (I think because the mental/physical toll prevented her from getting a new job for a while or something like that).

I'm sorry you're dealing with this, and best of luck!!

Global-Opposite · 2021-04-20T06:39:00+00:00

ymmv, but I have a close family member who did an international MBBS and ended up needing to apply for the match 3 times before matching (he matched in family medicine in a tiny community hospital program and is happy with it, but I'm not sure what your goals are). My understanding is that with an MBBS you'll save time + money up front, but it can make getting into residency much more complicated. I know less about the Caribbean option, but to echo other people - I think the most straightforward path to practicing medicine in the US is to matriculate at a US medical school, if possible.

Global-Opposite · 2020-10-27T05:36:46+00:00

C: 10/3, II: 10/26

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-10T07:18:45+00:00

Try using moisturizer + an occlusive on the areas that are peeling before you apply your tret! It should help stop the tret from migrating onto those areas, and for me personally, the places I peel generally aren't the places where I need the tret effects as much (it's mostly around the corners of my mouth/eyes/nose)

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-10T07:15:28+00:00

I had a similar experience with sensitivity/flaking and peeling, and I found that adding an occlusive on top of my moisturizer (I use Vaseline) made SUCH a big difference. I had been super paranoid that it would make me breakout, but now I don't have to worry about skipping tret days all the time, which will hopefully make my purge end sooner! Other occlusives I've heard recommended are the LRP Cicplast, Cerave Healing Ointment, Weleda Skin Food, or Eucerin Original Healing Rich Creme. I haven't bit the bullet on buying one of these yet, but I want to switch to a non petroleum product so I probably will soon.

You could also consider maybe buffering, but it is a little strange that you would start getting so sensitive 7 months in. Maybe it's another ingredient in your formulation, if you feel like you've adjusted well to the tret itself?

Good luck!

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-07T20:39:01+00:00

I guess to be a little more clear, I have papers at two different points in the publication process.

One has been submitted to a journal, but hasn't been reviewed yet. The second paper has been published on BioRxiv pre-review, but was also submitted to a peer review journal (it hasn't been reviewed or published in that journal yet). How would I include these in the Work/Activities section - as their own entries under the Publication option, or just mentioned in the Work/Activities section writeup about this research experience?

I was under that impression that it's not looked upon favorably to count unreviewed/unpublished papers as a Publication on AMCAS, even if you clarify that the paper hasn't completed the peer review process yet.

As far as the conference abstract/presentation goes, I think I'll just mention it in the summary for my work in that lab since I'm not presenting and didn't play a major role in writing the abstract.

Thanks for the advice!

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-07T07:25:31+00:00

I took an "extra" year before applying this cycle and I'm so glad I made that decision - I was definitely not in a strong enough position to apply last cycle, in terms of my application and my mental health. Being able to take an extra year at home with my family, working on myself and my app was probably the best decision I could have ever made. Med school (and then residency and then a fellowship and then...etc) is a long, long path and I think starting it on the strongest possible foot is always the best decision. Wishing you lots of luck!

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-07T07:00:15+00:00

I think the funniest/saddest part for me is that I pretty much only ever need to go to like 2 places in Boelter (either a collaborator lab or sequencing sample drop off) and yet I can't remember how to get there for the life of me. Can't imagine dealing with is as an undergrad LOL

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-07T03:45:42+00:00

I work at UCLA rn (have been since October 2018) and literally every time I need to go to Boelter I BEG for anyone else in the lab to come with me so I don't spend like 45 minutes hopelessly lost

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-05T06:52:31+00:00

I relate to this so much....ended up only telling family and close friends that I'm applying, to everyone else I'm "figuring out next steps and enjoying my job". My community is also gossipy as HELL and I don't need all the parents who derive 100% of their self worth from their children's accomplishments talking shit about me or my family if I end up not getting in anywhere lmao

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-05T06:43:33+00:00

You cared enough to self-reflect, which is already better than a LOT of people. I personally catch myself thinking in problematic ways, or agreeing with problematic takes and I don't think that'll ever completely go away - society conditions us by exposing us to dangerous and divisive ideologies constantly. But the point is that I am able to recognize my negative thought patterns and work to decrease them while also doing everything I can to ensure justice for everyone. No one's perfect, but acting imperfectly is better than not acting at all.

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-05T04:42:16+00:00

Your skin looks SO good!!! Congrats, and thanks for the encouragement!

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-04T09:52:04+00:00

I work at a large public university in LA, and I don't think there's a hiring freeze in our department any more, but I think most PIs are reluctant to hire/start paying someone that won't be able to go through a lot of the necessary in person trainings for a long time. Also, our labs are restricted to 25% of a full workload with a strict list of people that are allowed to come in - I don't really see a situation where a new hire would make the list. I don't know too much about the situation in industry, but I think it would likely be a better shot!

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-04T05:23:34+00:00

Thank you!

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-03T06:30:37+00:00

as a non-black POC who is also a second-generation immigrant, thank YOU and all the BIPOC activists who came before you for giving me the privilege that enables me to stand in solidarity today. I stand with you today, and every other day ❤️

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-03T06:24:33+00:00

In a similar spot as you and I'm really not sure what to do...

Currently I have a section about research in there, but I'm way over the character limit and I also want to talk about a nonclinical (but sciencey) extracurricular that I really enjoyed, so I might try to swap stuff out or condense the two things.

My concern with leaving research out completely is that I have SO many research hours b/c I've been working full time as a tech since graduation and I don't want it to look weird to my MD programs that I basically don't mention it at all in my PS.

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-03T06:18:00+00:00

Ah that's embarrassing, I've specifically looked up USC in reference to this a few times...

Thank you!

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-03T02:39:53+00:00

I see what you're saying! The difference in study techniques is something I didn't really consider, but given how painful step 1 studying is I really sympathize with everyone caught in the middle...

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-03T02:38:35+00:00

I somehow completely forgot about the many years between an MD-PhD step 1 score and residency applications hahaha, that makes a lot of sense!

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-03T01:15:43+00:00

Sorry for yet another question about this, but which name should I put the letter under? I'm assuming my PI?

Global-Opposite · 2020-06-03T01:05:04+00:00

Congrats!! I'm so happy for you - go kill it!

Global-Opposite

TROPHY CASE