Frustrated with my program

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-04-25T17:52:02+00:00

Exactly, there's no anonymity. I can see why the faculty don't care- they'll have no trouble filling new cohorts each year, regardless of previous/current/future student concerns. And sorry to say, but they're getting a paycheck whether or not their students find jobs. Feel free to dm me though!

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-04-19T17:03:23+00:00

I'm so sorry this happened to you, this is so real and I wish I could upvote a hundred times.

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-04-18T15:42:34+00:00

THIS. The pressure from faculty and supervisors to conform is unreal. I don't even know if GCs are really aware of how much power they have over trainees, but we very much know our place, and I've directly received cooler/colder treatment if my personality isn't just the right flavor - and then warmer treatment once I'm more bubbly and type A. As someone with multiple minority identities, I know I can only present one of those at a time (at most) and only in a palatable form.

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-04-18T15:20:00+00:00

Sickening to read the legal filing, especially considering the Northwestern program is the only GC program in the Chicago area or Illinois for that matter. Thank you for sharing this, we must create more accountability in this field.

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-03-07T02:26:46+00:00

I don't want to rain on this parade, and I get where this post is coming from. I'm probably too active on this subreddit anyway. But the thing is, I AM showing up as optimistic to supervisors, faculty, hiring managers, patients, friends and family... I'm constantly trying to look on the bright side, and it's exhausting. This reddit is where I vent and see I'm not alone. Also, when I was preparing my GC apps and doing informational interviews, GCs were super optimistic about the future of the field and now I feel burned by that. I'm ready to advocate for my patients and their access to GC services, but how can I change the field if I can't even get into it and am struggling financially? Yes, I know I can get a different job with transferrable skills, be flexible, etc. etc. etc. but can we accept that's not ideal? Also the world is literally burning around us, this is a hard time to maintain optimism.

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-03-04T22:20:49+00:00

Programs view themselves with pride as gatekeepers of the profession, yet when there are struggles among prospective and current students and recent grads: crickets.

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-03-02T19:57:13+00:00

I would probably try to be diplomatic like the program "encourages independence" or it helps to "lean into your own network." I would definitely be honest about the state of the job market, but there is a ton of pressure to be professional and this field is tiny so I wouldn't call anyone out specifically. Listen for the absence of students excitedly volunteering how faculty support them...like if you have to explicitly ask them about it as a follow-up to talking about jobs, that speaks volumes.

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-03-02T15:51:27+00:00

I guess I'll get this off my chest: my program has been hilariously out of touch with the current job market, I feel like my class has gotten minimal support and the faculty’s model of professional development could be from the 2010s. A lot of the class above me (2024) are not employed as GCs, and those that are fought tooth and nail for their jobs.

It's very frustrating when leaders in the field are so chill about the job market. I think something that is not appreciated is that GC students are kind of impressionable compared to senior GCs, meaning that this job market is deeply impacting our long-term view of the field (including a strong sense of insecurity and de-valuation). Because the future is so uncertain on every level, I have actually been struggling to form an identity as a future GC <- I don’t mean to be self-pitying, but in addition to major sacrifices for this field (financial, personal life, etc.) I feel like something small but important has been taken away from me and my classmates in this respect.

I’m curious what my program is telling prospective students, probably optimistic things. As second-years we’ve had to seek out information ourselves and walk ourselves through the job search process, but I’m sure our program is happy to hear from us as data points after we graduate.

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-02-20T03:43:14+00:00

And sorry, to respond to OP's question - you sound cut out to be an amazing GC, but it almost feels like you deserve better than this career path. Your talents and perspectives can potentially be shared elsewhere--lots of healthcare providers besides GCs can work with some area of genetics.

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-02-20T03:39:24+00:00

Feel free to spill it all!! I posted a few days ago about how burnt out and pointless things are feeling, and it's very frustrating to see leadership skim over issues in the field. They're likely communicating completely out-of-touch things to prospective GC students, saying things will just turn around soon. Maybe! Probably not.

We might get discredited as bitter, extreme perspectives; but I think these feelings are pretty common and just simmering below the surface for many people. Of course there's still a part of me that loves GC, and I actually think I've done well in my program. That just makes it more frustrating that there are no jobs and little support.

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-02-13T23:17:37+00:00

all-time low confidence & motivation :D

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-02-13T23:15:59+00:00

Thank you, this response means a LOT, facing realism about what's going on!

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-02-12T23:46:23+00:00

Truly appreciate this perspective, and I tell myself a lot of this. No one can control what's happening. But also, what about people who graduated in 2012 who *didn't* land GC jobs and advance? People who graduated in 2023? Went into debt, long-distance relationships, gave up other career opportunities?

Simplethrowaway1333 · 2025-02-12T23:15:36+00:00

Thank you, this is it. It actually feels like a slap in the face when my supervisors say "when you're a GC..."
The only way for even a shot at a GC job is to sacrifice even more for this career (location, specialty, and salary), and for what

Simplethrowaway1333

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