Gopika RajanikanthBIOSC Senior, pre-genetic counseling There are a lot of requirements to become a competitive applicant for genetic counseling programs. One requirement that many programs emphasize is having “exposure” to the field of genetic counseling because they want applicants to have a clear understanding of what genetic counseling is before they apply. But what technically counts as exposure? The first experience that most people may think about is shadowing. Shadowing a genetic counselor is a great way to get exposure to what a genetic counselor does. However, even though Pittsburgh has many genetic counselors, it can be challenging to find shadowing opportunities, especially so in the midst of a pandemic. So, what else can you do to gain exposure to genetic counseling? Informational Interviews: Informational interviews involve speaking directly with a genetic counselor and asking them questions about their career. You could do this either in-person or virtually, so you’re not limited to your location like you may be with shadowing. How do you find genetic counselors to contact and ask for an interview? It’s actually pretty easy. You can go to the “Find a Genetic Counselor” page on the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) website and search for genetic counselors who allow student contact (use this link) and find their email addresses. Here, you’re able to filter by location and specialty so that you can talk to genetic counselors with a wide variety of experiences and work environments. Speaking one-on-one with a genetic counselor is a great way to learn more about the profession and if it’s right for you. Webinars: Because of the pandemic, many schools and organizations have been holding online webinars discussing genetic counseling and holding panels with genetic counselors across various specialties. These webinars usually have some time for Q&A, so it’s a great way to ask genetic counselors and program directors any questions you have about the profession or grad school applications. To find webinars, I recommend scrolling through #gcchat on Twitter because many programs and organizations will publicize their events there. Podcasts: There are many podcasts available that can give you a great insight into what genetic counseling is like. And some programs consider you taking the time to listen to these podcasts as exposure to genetic counseling. Some great podcasts include the NSGC Podcast Series, Patient Stories with Grey Genetics, DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast, and GC Chat: A Genetic Counseling Podcast. Genetic Counseling Club at Pitt: You can also join the Genetic Counseling Club here at Pitt! We provide a support network of students who all have the same goal of becoming a genetic counselor. In addition, we host panels with current genetic counselors and genetic counseling students, so it’s a good way to get more exposure to the field of genetic counseling. If you have any questions, contact us at [email protected] or feel free to schedule an appointment (through Navigate Student) to chat with me about the club.
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January 2022
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