The Twisted Helix

Adventures of a New Genetic Counselor

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Interested in reading perspectives or experiences of genetic counselors - check out the National Society of Genetic Counselors blog!

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Chromosome mutations in a GIF!

Check out all our science GIFs here!

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The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.

Jonas Salk (via fyp-science)

[amoebasisters]

Here are some point mutations…in a GIF!

Check out our science GIF archive here!

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Welcome to the second phase of getting into a genetic counseling program: The Interview!

First of all: congrats! All of the shadowing, GRE prep, and personal statements have paid off and you are one step closer!

After what can feel like ages after submitting your application, you receive a letter or email inviting you to interview at a program. Now, what? In your invitation you will have received a list of dates. Interview slots are scheduled on a first come, first served basis, so you will want to respond as quickly as you can to ensure you get a date that is convenient for you.

Depending on the distance, you will also want to start making travel arrangements. Some programs offer to let interviewees stay with current students. Check to see if this is an option before booking hotels. Not only will it save you money, but you’ll have a great opportunity to talk to current students.

Although programs prefer students to interview in person, there are some circumstances which may make this impractical. For example, one of my classmates was studying abroad during the time interviews were held. If it is not possible to travel for an interview, inquire about a Skype interview.

Most programs offer an informal dinner with current students the night before the interview. If you are staying overnight and can arrive the day before, this is also a great option to spend more time with current students. I took advantage of these settings to ask students questions about things I thought were important but not necessarily something I wanted to ask during the interview.

Do you like the city?

What do you do for fun outside of the program?

What’s the weather like throughout the year?

Is it easy to find housing?

What is the average rent paid by you and your classmates?

Do most people have a car? Is it necessary?

What’s the public transportation like? Is it free to students?

What do you like best about the program? The least?

What is your courseload like?

Do you have any tips for the interview?

Don’t be afraid to ask a ton of questions! You are trying to get as much information as you can in your visit to help you find the program that fits you best.

The interviews I attended were all set up similarly. The group of interviewees would have an information session with the program director and other program leadership. Then you would rotate through about 5 - 7 one on one interviews with program leadership, clinical rotation genetic counselors, and department faculty. These interviews were very conversational, in my experience, but be prepared to talk about anything you submitted in your application. At the moment, that is the only information they have about you, so you will have to build off of that and show them the person behind the test scores, GPA, and experience.

Here are some questions I asked during my interviews:

How much is tuition? Are there scholarships? Are work-study opportunities available? Do most students work and, if so, how much and what are they paid?

What are the program’s strengths and weaknesses? What makes this program unique?

When do students start clinical rotations? How are they structured? How many cases do students see on average? Are there specialty clinical rotations available? Are there optional rotations?

On average, how long does it take for students to get jobs?

Do students go to the annual NSGC conference?

Are there volunteer opportunities for students?

Do students complete a thesis or a capstone project?

I think one of the most important things to remember during interviews is that the program is not only interviewing you, but you are interviewing the program. You are looking to find what program fits you best.

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Meet my classmates and future genetic counselors!

Having been in classes for a little over a month now, I think it’s safe to say that I love my classmates! They are a fantastic bunch and are making this experience amazing. The field is about to get some wonderful people. 

[thetwistedhelix]

Applying to Programs: Overview

Applying to a graduate program can be a daunting task. The best way to tackle it is to plan ahead, stay organized, and take it step by step. In this post, I’ll give you an overview of the process and tips to get you through.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to keep the overall timeline in mind. This is going to be an investment of time over the better part of a year. Note: this is an estimation based on my experience, please note due dates for each program may vary.

Now that we have this timeline in mind, let's get to the specifics. First things first: check out the American Board of Genetic Counseling’s accredited program page and open a page in your favorite spreadsheet maker. We are going to create a home base for all the tidbits about the programs you’re interested in.

There are currently no rankings for genetic counseling programs, so you don’t need to worry about applying to the “best” ones. Each program is accredited and covers everything you need be a great genetic counselor. While this is great, it can make it a little hard to decide where to apply.

When I started, I hadn’t heard anything about particular programs except what I learned during my informational interviews with genetic counselors. Wanting to make sure I covered my bases, I made a row for every program currently accredited in the U.S. (I wasn't interested in studying abroad in Canada.) I created columns for due dates, cost, application requirements, and other decision influencing factors. Then, I went to each prospective student page and hunted down what I needed to fill out my spreadsheet. I would highly recommend saving links to each program website. It’s easier than going back through ABGC or searching every time you need it.

Collecting all this information may seem like a lot of work, but I can assure you that it’s worth it. Once I completed my spreadsheet, I was able to start quickly narrowing down programs by eliminating ones where I did not meet the requirements. For example, I had already graduated, so many programs that required specific courses I hadn’t taken got moved to the bottom of my rankings.

Although each program has different requirements, there are some common applications requirement. These include GRE scores, a personal statement/essay, letters of recommendation, coursework, shadowing and counseling experiences. The devil will be in the details when it comes to application requirements. Some programs want letters of recommendation from practicing genetic counselors, not just from professors.  Some may require six months of counseling experience, while others may simply recommend having counseling experience.

After spending some time with your spreadsheet, you should have a pretty good idea of the programs that might best fit you. There is no magic number for applications. My only recommendation is to apply where you would be serious about attending - you’ll be happier waiting a year and reapplying than attending a program that doesn't match well with your background and aspirations just for the sake of starting that year.

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A great post explaining genetic counseling as seen from the patient perspective. It’s quick read that will give you more insight into the profession. 

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Things to Ask During Informational Interviews

Previously, I spoke about how valuable it can be to speak with active genetic counselors when deciding if the profession might be for you. I recommended that you prepare your questions in advance, to make the most of your time. While you should take care to ask the questions that mean the most to you, here is a list of some of the questions I asked the genetic counselors I interviewed, to help you get started:

What made you decide to become a genetic counselor?

What is a typical day like for you?

Is your typical day similar to other genetic counselors?

Why did you choose the specialty you did?

What do you enjoy most/least about your job?

What graduate program did you attend?

Why did you choose it?

How long did it take for you and your classmates to find jobs?

What kind of shadowing opportunities did you have?

Does your workplace allow students to shadow?

What kind of counseling experience did you have?

What volunteering did you do?

What recommendations do you have for applying?

Are there any questions I missed that you would’ve asked? Feel free to share yours!

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Interviewing Genetic Counselors

“Trust me, I’m a professional.”

Hopefully, you’ve read my post explaining why interviewing a genetic counselor is the best way to find out if genetic counseling is the career for you. Again: I cannot overstate how important it is to speak with professionals in the field! This post will walk you through how to make it happen:

Finding Genetic Counselors

The easiest way to find genetic counselors in your area is to search through the NSGC’s Find a Genetic Counselor page. You can use the search fields to find local genetic counselors or counselors working in certain specialties. Any counselors matching your search are listed along with their contact information.

Regardless of your parameters, please be sure to check the “Student Contact Welcome” box. Granted, nearly everyone in the NSGC welcomes student contact, so it’s not going to significantly lower your results, but it’s the courteous thing to do.

Reaching Out

My initial contact with genetic counselors was through email. I expressed that I was considering pursuing genetic counseling as a career and was interested in speaking to them about their profession. Then I was as flexible as possible about how that conversation would happen. I asked them if they would be able to talk to me, when they would be available, and what contact method they would prefer.  I was able to speak with four genetic counselors. I had one in-person interview, two phone interviews, and one Skype interview, with each conversation ranging from 30 minutes to an hour in length.

Interviewing Tips

Just like any other interview, you need to be prepared. I had a page of questions, leaving room to add notes and responses during the conversation. This method allowed me to focus more on the conversation instead of worrying about everything I wanted to ask. Plus I was able to ask the same questions at each interview so I could compare different viewpoints more quickly.

I’ll share some of the questions I used to help get you started in a future post. That said, this is your opportunity to ask about things that are important to you, so make sure to take the time to think through your questions before speaking with any professionals in the field. Their time is valuable, so making the most of it is in your best interest.

Wrapping It Up

As the conversation draws to a close, be sure to thank them for their time and ask if you might be able to contact them in the future if you have further questions. You will almost always get a yes in response. After the conversation is over, finish jotting down any notes or thoughts you had while your discussion is still fresh in your memory.

Keeping a Record

I kept track of a few key details about each interview:

Who I spoke with

The associated hospital

Counselor’s specialty

Date of the interview

Communication method

Length of conversation

I wanted a record of my interactions with genetic counselors that I could use on my applications just in case I was unable to have any shadowing experiences.

I also kept each page of notes so I could refer to them later. If you don’t think you can keep track of a handwritten copy, transcribe them into a digital file you can access quickly later on. I wouldn't recommend typing notes during the interview because nothing conveys the fact you have someone's undivided attention less than the sound of a keyboard while you’re speaking to them.

If you feel you must type your notes, be upfront about it before the conversation starts. Tell them, “I’m very excited to ask you some questions today, and I want to make sure I don’t forget anything I learn, so I may type up some quicks notes while we’re speaking.”

Follow-Up

After a couple of days, take 5 minutes to write a thank you email to each person you interview. They made time to talk to you, so it’s the least you can do to show how much you appreciate it!

I thoroughly enjoyed the interviews I did. I learned so much and was able to speak with fantastic people who were excited about the same things I was. It was also an excellent opportunity to network with people with whom I would later shadow. So, get excited and get your questions answered!

[thetwistedhelix]

How to Know if Genetic Counseling is the Career for You

My Long Road of Discovery

Like most students, I entered college having no idea what major I should choose, let alone a career path. I started as an Exploratory Student – Florida State University’s fancy term for undeclared – my first semester. After that, I decided to follow my passion of bingeing crime procedural tv shows as a Criminology major through my sophomore year. I had the opportunity to hear agents from various federal agencies speak, and they successfully scared me into not wanting a career which would require me to carry a gun, work long shifts, and be subjected to immense levels of stress. I shifted my career goal from agent to forensic scientist, which required a major change to Biology in my Junior year. If being the star agent was too intense, perhaps being the invaluable scientist in the crime lab would be a better fit.

I continued to learn more about the day to day life as a forensic scientist, and I did not dislike it. But then, I heard about something else for the first time: at the end of a lecture in General Genetics, my professor mentioned genetic counseling. A light shone down from the heavens, and the universe gave me a sign to tell me it was my destiny!

Okay, so it didn’t happen exactly like that. I was intrigued, though, so after class, I began researching genetic counseling to learn more. The more I learned, the more interested I became. However, I had already fallen into the trap of liking the idea of a career, only to discover that the actuality was not for me. I was starting my senior year soon, and I needed to know if genetic counseling was really what I wanted before I committed.

I decided to get the facts from a practicing genetic counselor. I was able to contact a pediatric genetic counselor back home. I scheduled a day to meet with her and drove 2.5 hours from school to do so.

It was the best decision I could have made.

After an hour-long meeting, I left that clinic more excited about genetic counseling than I had ever been about any other career I had ever considered.

So how do you know if you want to be a genetic counselor? Reading a website can only tell you so much. If you want to truly learn more, you need to try to speak with genetic counselors! It’s not as hard, or scary, as it might seem. They are a friendly bunch, and I can walk you through it.

[thetwistedhelix]

The Brief History of Genetic Counseling

Or, “Why have I never heard of this before?”

Don’t worry: the first time I ever heard of genetic counseling was in the Spring semester of my Junior year of college. Even then, this first reference was only a passing mention at the end of a lecture.

The term "genetic counseling" was first coined in the mid-1950s. However, the first class of genetic counselors didn't graduate from Sarah Lawrence College until 1971, nearly 2 decades later. In 1979, the National Society of Genetic Counselors was founded, and it is currently the largest association of genetic counselors in the world. The American Board of Genetic Counselors was only incorporated in 1993. The ABGC is responsible for accrediting programs and professionals both in the United States and Canada. As far as programs are concerned, there are 31 programs in the United States (and only 4 in Canada), the newest being Ohio State University which does not yet have a graduating class.

According to the ABGC, there are now over 3,500 certified genetic counselors. As of 2014, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are 2,100 practicing genetic counselors. BLS statistics show that only about half U.S. states have any genetic counselors. 

Image from The Bureau of Labor Statistics

Given how emergent the field remains,  it's unsurprising that many people are still unaware of the profession. However, this is one of the reasons I find the field so interesting. It's still new and growing and every counselor has the opportunity to shape the field as it continues to expand. And it will continue to expand. As research identifies genes and links them to the causes of disease and as medicine leans toward personalized treatment, genetic counseling will only continue to become more important.

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What is Genetic Counseling?

When I tell people that I am a genetic counseling student, I usually get one of two responses: 1) "Oh so you can make my baby's eyes blue?" or 2) "What is that?".

While these responses can be frustrating, it's understandable that most people have no idea what I'm talking about. In the scheme of things, the field is still very young and, although growing, has relatively few professionals. (Check out  my post on why)

Equally frustrating is that there isn't a satisfactory elevator pitch answer. Normally, I tell people that genetic counselors help patients and their families understand their risk of developing and passing along inheritable diseases. But that answer doesn’t begin to cover it.

According to the National Society of Genetic Counselors:

Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. This process integrates:

- Interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence. - Education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources and research. - Counseling to promote informed choices and adaptation to the risk or condition.

However, the responsibilities of a genetic counselor are so much greater. Not only are they a resource for patients, but for physicians and others in the healthcare community, especially if they work in a specialty area.

The main areas of genetic counseling are prenatal, pediatric, and cancer. But now there are an increasing number of specialties such as cardiovascular genetics, hematology, metabolic genetics, and neurogenetics.

There are also other opportunities for genetic counselors besides seeing patients in a clinical setting. There has been a major increase of genetic counselors in nontraditional roles which include research, developing policy, working in industry, and more. This doesn’t mean that genetic counselors are giving up clinical duties altogether; many work in environments that allow them to balance both roles.  

I hope this provided some insight into genetic counseling and that you will continue to explore the field. I will keep working on my elevator pitch definition!