It’s not a stretch to call med school a full-time job. While trying to juggle classes, clinical activities, extracurriculars, and a personal life, there isn’t much time for anything else. Yet, despite working so hard on a daily basis, you’re shelling out tons of money instead of earning it. So it’s not a surprise that students wonder if they can take on a job while in medical school. However, with your time so limited, is it even possible?
In short, it’s complicated. Some medical schools actually “frown upon” or outright ban students from taking on official jobs, so make sure to check their policies beforehand. Beyond that, the major determinants are your time management skills and your personal priorities. Many students find that they have extra time to pursue jobs, while others need the extra time to study. What kind of job matters too – ones that involve flexible hours and locations allow you to adjust for the changing demands of medical school. From my experience, popular ways for students to earn extra money are tutoring, working for test prep companies, raising your credit score, participating in research studies, or blogging (ahem).
Overall, my advice would be to get into the rhythm of school first before considering taking on other pursuits. Keep your eye open for opportunities as a student, but always remember that your studies are the number one priority. Working in medical school isn’t for everyone, but for those who can manage it, it’s always nice to have some textbook money on the side.
