Diva Do-Over How Failing Med School Became My Biggest Success

Diva Do-Over How Failing Med School Became My Biggest Success Imagine putting everything â€" blood, sweat, and tears (literally, lots of tears) â€" into three years of medical school just to find out that your career is over; you’ll never be a doctor and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. Welcome to my life. I loved being a medical student. So much so that I wanted to document my journey along the way, and began sharing my experiences and excitement online. I developed a large presence on @MissMedDiva. So when the dream came to a halt, it was all the more public, visible and crushing. I got through the first two years of med school with a solid B average and took the Level 1, the end all exam of the basic sciences in med school. It’s high stakes; students only get three attempts and passing is a must to continue. Shortly after beginning my family medicine clinical rotation, I learned I had failed the big exam. I was pulled out of the clinical experience to focus solely on passing. I retook it and went back to clinical learning before finding out a few weeks later that it had happened AGAIN. With fear and anxiety building, I was sent to a prep course twelve hours away for eight weeks, specifically designed to help struggling medical students, only to try and fail a third time. Before that third try, the dean told me I wouldn’t pass based on my numbers. I let it get to me â€" I believed it â€" and it came true. I watched my classmates move on while I was left behind. This nightmare from hell became my new reality. Then came the letter from school I had been dreading. Obviously, I knew what was inside, but it hurt to open it; I had been dismissed for failing my boards. I cried for several days, never left the couch, slept a lot, lost all hope, contemplated how I even got to this point, and questioned everything about myself: my intelligence, self-worth, value as a human being, and what I could possibly do going forward. When the dream is shattered, it’s hard to see how to put the pieces back together. I had never imagined I would be in this situation, feeling so defeated, lost and helpless. It’s a cliché, but everything truly happens for a reason. After meeting criteria for major depressive disorder for weeks (which I knew from my medical training), one day I awoke with the random urge to pack my bags, move my entire life and get away from where I had been the most miserable.  Growth is painful.Change is too. But nothing is as painful as staying somewhere you don’t belong. My family thought I was running from my problems â€" and maybe I was â€" but looking back I can tell you it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Taking the Leap Leaving most of my family behind, I surveyed the scene and found Austin, Texas calling my name. I moved with less than $1,000 to my name. I did so with no job or plans. The struggle to find work, a career and purpose was real. I didn’t even know where to begin searching for answers, but I began nonetheless. “What are my talents? What do others say I’m good at?  Who am I supposed to be?”were just a few phrases constantly piercing my mind. Job-search sites were new and confusing as I had always been a student. I put my application everywhere that made sense, and even some places it didn’t: the FBI, government health departments, pharmaceutical and medical device sales, office and research assistants… the list goes on. I used every search engine, applied for more jobs than I could count, and was desperate. Surely, I had  some  knowledge and skills for being basically ¾ of a doctor, right? A Chance Encounter I thought that experience would count for something, but every one of my applications went unanswered. “You don’t have the sales experience necessary for this position, sorry but this position has been closed for months now, you need to have a master’s degree etc.” As the frustrations built, I shut down my social channels, too ashamed and depressed to let others in as I dealt with the chaos. Yet even as I was pulling the plug, one of those connections made an introduction for me that changed everything. When I was introduced to Dustyn and Jamie, the founders of OnlineMedEd, they flipped the script. The conversation was immediately different; what others viewed as shortcomings they saw as real assets: I knew what it was like to be a med student I understood and generated a large social media following and I was motivated like none other to learn and find my purpose They helped me realize that I could differentiate myself and contribute in a way few others in the world could. After all, most people who go to med school end up with the same title: doctor. This is a lesson applicable to everyone reading; you must believe in yourself and your potential. You have so much to offer! There’s an opportunity out there for everyone â€" one that you are perfectly designed for and which you can truly excel. A New Beginning Which brings me to today. Here I am, living exactly where I’ve wanted for what seems like my entire life. I have an opportunity as a marketing associate with one of the most widely known medical education companies in the world. Honestly, I’ve never been happier and I’m doing something I’m good at and truly enjoy. Months back when I was looking in the mirror and asking myself who am I supposed to be, I didn’t know. But now I realize the question was completely wrong â€" I am just who I am â€" and OnlineMedEd is giving me a different avenue to realize it. I’m still involved in medicine and get to work with our users on the things that matter beyond medical knowledge: human interaction, dealing with stress, and the importance of self-worth. I’ll be writing content for this blog, engaging our audience across social channels (@OnlineMedEd on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook) and helping expand the OME mission wherever I can. What I love about OnlineMedEd is that it’s constantly growing its base as it tries to touch every medical student in the world. Here, students aren’t the customers; they’re the purpose. I could talk non-stop about the wonderful things that are happening here and how much they give back. Really, I just want to say how much it meant when the founders reached out to me and saw my value and potential at a time where I didn’t even see it in myself. For that, I am eternally grateful. Closing Thoughts The experience of failing and leaving medical school is something I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy, but I’ll say it again: everything happens for a reason. When I was a little girl my mother always pushed me in math and science, and it was drilled into my head that I needed to become a physician to be successful and fulfilled in life.   While I’m thankful for the direction and guidance, that’s where the line blurred between what was truly my dream vs others’ dreams for me. Now I’m chasing what I really want, no longer worrying that I might spend my life only wishing I had. When you think you’re experiencing failure small and large, know that it could actually be the start of something great. It may not be apparent, but keep those tired, tearful eyes open because you’ll see it one day.  I promise. If you are faltering along the way â€" failing exams, searching for answers, losing hope, and no longer believing in yourself, well, I hope this blog post finds you. If you’ve failed out of med, nursing, PA, dental, or pharmacy school or are on the brink and think this is the end, remember that your self-worth isn’t defined by those abbreviations at the end of your last name. The one who falls and gets up is so much stronger than the one who never fell. Pick yourself up and dust yourself off, because your comeback will be far greater than your setback. This guest post was authored by Marteney Jacobs Marteney Jacobs, otherwise known as @missmeddiva and former medical student is now a Marketing Associate employed at OnlineMedEd in Austin, Texas.

The Origins and Benefits of Hidden Employee Talents

The Origins and Benefits of Hidden Employee Talents In every company, there are a number of hidden talents. Some are fairly predictable. Regardless of whether or not it’s part of their job duties, there will always be employees who are gifted at speaking, presenting, selling, writing, managing, etc. But there will also be other talents that employees possess that are hidden deep below the surface and may not be so beneficial to their role at the company…or are they? During my tenure at my current company, we have had a number of musicians in the recruiting department, of which I am one. Additionally, we have had a variety of artists and athletes that have all contributed to our work output and company culture in their own unique ways. In my experience, companies who employ workers with unique and diverse talents not only see it pay off in a fun and collaborative work culture, but see a number of ancillary benefits from those talents as well. Let’s look at a few examples. The Musician Someone asked me recently if I noticed a similarity in the rhythm I feel when playing music and the rhythm of writing an advertisement or blog. My answer was that I didn’t notice a similarity in rhythm, but I did in the detail orientation used for each. Anyone who has played music knows that a common characteristic of an accomplished musician is extreme meticulousness. The difference in an eighth note and a sixteenth note on a sheet of music is a single flag on the note stem; the difference in timing only milliseconds. Yet playing the wrong note at the wrong time can change the feel of an entire song. Do I use the detail orientation skills I learned as a musician when writing ads and blogs? Every single day. The Dancer Brittney Barr, Sourcing Analyst for Insperity Recruiting Services, grew up as a dancer, and later became a dance coach. This instilled in her a number of lifelong skills that have served her throughout her career. According to Brittney, “Getting on a stage and performing in front of hundreds of people takes confidence, poise and a ton of hard work and practice. For those recruiters who have worked on difficult ‘purple squirrel’ positions, it can be highly frustrating and seem nearly impossible at times. Thoughts that come to mind are, ‘Candidates with those qualifications don’t exist,’ ‘I’m never going to get someone interested in this job,’ or ‘The pay is too low.’ Yet somehow, we find the right person to fill each job. It’s very similar to mastering a dance skill or technique; it takes persistence and countless attempts before finally getting the big ‘win’ moment. My perseverance and persistence learned in dance has helped me tremendously in my recruitin g career.” The Martial Artist Michael Deeb, Sourcing Analyst for Insperity, became involved in mixed martial arts as a form of “exercise with a purpose.” He was attracted to the sport as a former student of Kuk Sool Won martial arts and found it a good way to stay in shape beyond weight training. When reflecting on how his MMA training helps as a Sourcer, Michael says, “Persistence is the key trait. In order to be successful in both recruiting and fight training, you can’t be willing to throw in the towel. Digging deeper into the skills involved in becoming a true fighter and a Sourcer are very similar. It’s a mind-over-matter battle to keep pushing until you’ve exhausted all resources, either physically or on the web.” The Photographer Angi Lewis, Senior Recruiting Specialist for Insperity, has always been passionate about two things â€" helping people and photography. Having been a recruiter for over 15 years, she still feels the same excitement when extending an offer to that perfect candidate who she knows will be an asset to her client.  In her private life, photography has always been a great outlet to express her creativity  and share her view of the world. According to Angi, “Having recently started my own photography business on the side, I’ve come to realize that connecting with people and capturing the essence of who they are in a photograph has become the common denominator in my work. In my recruiting career, this ability to make people comfortable and get them to truly open up and share their motivators, their passions and their goals has allowed me to more effectively assess and determine the right interpersonal and cultural fit â€" not only for my clients, but for the candidates as well. Anyone c an match skills to a job. The art of recruiting, in my opinion, is to truly match the person to the career.” Just as in any field, there are several skills and traits required for being successful in the recruiting field â€" perseverance, determination, attention to detail and people skills are just a few. However, employees don’t learn these skills exclusively on the job, but rather from a variety of activities and disciplines outside the workplace. It’s the supplementary knowledge and experience they carry with them that can then be shared with coworkers and contributes to a unique and fun work environment. Wikipedia defines Synergy as the creation of a whole that is greater than the simple sum of its parts. In an office culture, employees’ unique talents, personalities and past experiences combine to give the workplace far more character than any one employee could contribute individually. So what unique talents and abilities contribute to your workplace synergy?

Resume Writing Tips - The Most Important Part of a Resume

Resume Writing Tips - The Most Important Part of a ResumeWhat is the most important aspect of resume writing? What must you know about a specific job that will make it easy for you to write a unique and compelling resume?Well, a good resume is going to need some technical aspects of the job that the employer is likely to ask about. A job title and description are important to know, but so is how many years the job has been open.The length of time a job has been open is very important to know. If a person has been working at a job for a few years, it can be difficult to remember how long they've been working at it. If the position was open for less than a year, it will be even more difficult to be remembered.A resume is also important to know the background of the company and what types of employment practices the company has adopted. For example, does the company pay on time, and if so how often is the payment offered? Does the company offer any other benefits, and if so, what are th ese benefits?When it comes to a company's employment practices, the employer will expect to find the applicant has details about employment-related incidents, such as any training they have received or certification they may have received. This includes attendance at formal training courses or jobs.The employer may also want to know about the candidate's job history, and this can be done by providing a list of all of the positions they have held. This is a detail that can be included in the resume, and it is an important step in making a good resume. Once the applicant has included their employment details, the employer will also need to know about their education and training.It is important to note that when an applicant is hired for a job that they must have been employed for a number of years. It will be up to the new hire to make sure that they have taken a step to ensure their resume is effective.In summary, a person who has recently been hired will need to take the time to re ally think about what information they should include on their resume. As a job seeker, you will be expecting your resume to be an effective tool for getting the new job, and you need to know what information is needed to be included.

Star of Bravos New show, The Headhuntress, to host #JobHuntChat

Star of Bravos New show, The Headhuntress, to host #JobHuntChat 24 Flares 24 Flares Before I get into the sooooper doooper news I have, I want to talk a bit about how proud I am of #JobHuntChat With February approaching, its safe to say that #JobHuntChat has been successful for two years. To say that running #JobHuntChat has been a wild ride would be a tremendous understatement. When I created #JobHuntChat, I invented an innovative and effective communication channel for  job seekers and recruiters to connect through live chatting on Twitter.  Soon after launching #JobHuntChat, other similar job searching twitter chats popped up and more folks jumped into the same waters.  How popular are these chats?  Well, if you were to read ANY how to get a job on Twitter article or blog post, you will likely find Join a Job Search Twitter Chat on their list of musts.  Amazing how a small idea can go so far. What else has #JobHuntChat achieved? #JobHuntChat Mentioned on Forbes #JobHuntChat Hits Sirius/XM Radio 300 Participants in One Chat #JobHuntChat mentioned on countless blogs, websites, publications, and forums Most importantly, #JobHuntChat has helped people make connections which have ultimately led to a new job! Im sure Im missing some things, but I really just need to cut right to the big news I have! #JobHuntChat goes Hollywood! Wellkind of! As you all know, Jessica Miller-Merrill has been with #JobHuntChat since Day 1.  When I created and invented #JobHuntChat ,she was the very first person I thought of to help me plan, launch, and build up the chat.  Shes been amazing and has recently helped to bring in more gold for #JobHuntChat! There is a new TV show coming to Bravo called The Headhuntress.  The show will focus on Wendy Doultan, a cutthroat Headhunter/Corporate Recruiter and premieres tonight! Were proud to announce that Wendy will be joining #JobHuntChat as a guest moderator tonight (11/14/11)! Click here to check out a sneak peak of The Headhuntress Join Wendy and us tonight at 10PM EST.  Who knows, show her some love tonight and maybe youll find yourself or your tweets live on Bravo! Ill be back tomorrow to recap the event!

Does your elevator pitch have the personal touch

Does your elevator pitch have the personal touch Creating an elevator pitch scares most people.  But Ive uncovered a powerful secret the personal touch.  Adding it will not only make it easier for you to create your pitch, but it will also make it easier for others to remember you.What do I mean by the personal touch?  Heres an example.Hi, my name is Julie. I am looking for an internship in the food industry.  As a kid I loved cooking with my grandmother. I wrote down all of our favorite recipes. This year, I published it as a holiday gift for the whole family. My grandmother cried.  Hearing you speak about your work at the Food Network today inspired me. Id love to learn more about how you got to where you are today. Are you open to a short informational interview?You don’t have to put on a show.  Just be yourself and share your story.Recently I spoke to a group of students from American University visiting NYC (#AUNYCTrip).  I kicked-off their trip sponsored by the AU Career Center with a key-note speech focused on netw orking strategy and making authentic connections. I shared with them Julies elevator pitch with the personal touch and had them write their own versions.  After writing for a few minutes, several volunteers shared their stories.  After each pitch, I asked the  audience what they heard.  In every case, it was the personal detail that stuck.  Not the persons major or their litany of qualifications but his/her personal story.  When we finished the room was abuzz with energy.  We were not only getting pitched, we were making real connections.Answer these questions to add the personal touch to your elevator pitch:-Whats your name?  What do you do or what do you want to do?What life experience led you to do this or want to do this?What do you want the audience to do to help you?Too often I find people leave out important details when telling their career stories.  They downplay successes because they don’t want to brag or they’re too busy recounting their “hard skills” to share the heartfelt reason they have this career aspiration in the first place.In today’s world where information is easy to find, the way to stand out is to be authentic.  I was put on the spot by the students and asked what my elevator pitch was.  I immediately thought of the real reasons I do what I doHi my name is Maggie.  I’m a Life Purpose and Career coach.  My Mom went back to medical school when I was 6, my sister was 5 and my brother was 10.  I learned firsthand that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Today I help others Soul Search, Research and Job Search into their dream careers.  If you want to make a career change, contact me.  There’s no need to stammer the next time someone asks, “What do you do?” or What do you want to do? Answer the questions above and youll create your pitch.  Share it in the comments below and youll not only inform us of your interests and talents but you may just make the real connections necessary to reach your caree r goal.  â€œThey may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Carl W. Buechner

A Cant-Mess-It-Up Checklist For Your Very First Year of Full-Time Entrepreneurship - When I Grow Up

A Can’t-Mess-It-Up Checklist For Your Very First Year of Full-Time Entrepreneurship - When I Grow Up In the midst of your very first year as a Woman of the World (which is what I call being a full-time entrepreneur)? Gearing up to become a Woman of the World this year or next? Here’s a simple, bare-necessities, can’t-mess-it-up checklist to take over the world as a new/soon-to-be Woman of the World, and if anyone tells you that you *have* to have anything else, they’re wrong: A website that does the selling for you. No, it doesn’t have to come with all the bells and whistles! But, it does need to make it clear who you are, what you do and for whom! Be sure to add a way for folks to contact you, and you’re golden. This is also a forward-facing tool where you can implement your personality and infuse brand elements like colors, fonts, photos, yada-yada!   (In fact, I have a cute little cheat-sheet to fantastic website-making right here! Go nuts.) Business cards/swag/or mementos to hand out to the universe. It’s so important to have something to leave someone with when you’ve sparked their interest in what you do! Business cards are still standard, but I’ve been to conferences recently where people passed out business tattoos, pencils, post-it notes, and pins â€" so don’t be afraid to get creative! (This is especially fun if you’re a product-based business, incorporating your own logo and brand into the types of products you offer!) One product or service to offer (and the who, what, and why behind it!) When I started When I Grow Up in 2008, there was only one thing you could buy from me: 12 one-on-one coaching sessions. I didn’t add another offering (even an ebook!) ’til 2010, and it allowed me to make my effective escape from my soul-sucking day job. One offer is all you need to officially launch your business, and the experience, growth, insight, and feedback you receive from that will shape all future offers to come! (Having trouble nailing down your offer specifics? Let’s sort you out!)   A way to track your income and expenses, (especially if finances aren’t your thing!) The tax man always comes knocking, and while you don’t need to be incorporated in order to start making money (I didn’t become an LLC ’til 2010, although I started getting paid for my coaching in 2008), you do need to keep good records as to what’s going in and what’s going out for your business â€" especially because there’s so much you can write off! Plus, having an eye on your real numbers will affect business decision-making moments as you grow. An About page or bio that shows off your background, experience, personality, appearance, and why someone would wanna work with you. Resumes are for traditional jobs, and nobody that’s gonna hire you or buy your product is gonna ask for your resume. Instead, your bio is your calling card, and a way to make a killer first impression and answer the “But is she qualified?” and “What would she be like to work with?” questions. Don’t forget the photo and your last name, to make an even better connection with the reader! (Psst! More bio-writing tips and tricks here and how-to-write-your-about-page-in-under-an-hour goodness here!) A newsletter list + a monthly newsletter. I am so not one to say you have to join every social media platform or that you must blog or whatnot…but a newsletter list is a must-have. Just think: a way for people to raise their hand and say, “Yes! I wanna hear what you have to say! Please let me know when that is!” Who are you to deny them your amazeballsness, or leave it up to the algorithm gods when it comes to whether they see your social media post…and who are you to deny your business the chance to work with the people who resonate with what you’re offering? (Read on for newsletter topic ideas, timelines, and more!) Once you have that squared away, you’ll need… A newsletter opt-in or freebie for all newsletter subscribers! These are your VIPs and you want to take care of them! Show some love (and a taste of all the goodness to come from working with you) by offering up something of value off the bat. This is the fastest way to establish trust and expertise with new potential clients. To learn more about what I mean, follow my A Can’t-Mess-It-Up Guide to Crafting Your Newsletter Opt-In. A supportive, like-minded community. I built my business solely online, meeting my “tribe” via blogging and tweeting. That was back in the late 2000’s, and if I had the mastermind-y accountability groups that are de rigueur now, I know my growth would’ve absolutely have been accelerated. Sure, you can have a successful business solo â€" but where’s the fun in that? A price that actually makes you money. You might be a newbie, but it doesn’t mean you have to give away the farm. Make sure to mark up your product or service enough to be paid for your time and expertise. When I first started coaching and had zero experience, I worked with 5 clients for free (because I needed that for my certification), and then charged $25/session until I graduated. After graduation, I charged $75/session…and have increased my pricing from there pretty steadily, charging $800/session over a decade later. If I only worked with “guinea pigs” or kept my $25/session rate for more than a few months, I’d have to pull the Plan B emergency cord for sure. (Don’t know where to start? Walk through pricing your offers, step by step!) . The commitment to pitch yourself and your work at least 10 x a month. That’s only 2 times a week! And, it can look like almost anything â€" from introducing yourself to someone in your industry at a party, to emailing your aunt’s friend who you happen to know is looking for exactly what you’re offering, to reaching out to your college roommate who has a successful like-minded podcast. The hard truth is no one is going to tell people about your new business as well or with as much investment as you are, so get yourself out there! At least one social media channel dedicated to your biz. To make it easy, pick the place you feel most likely to connect with your audience! If you were buying what you’re selling, where would you look for it? Instagram? Pinterest? Twitter? Once you’ve identified a platform that makes you feel groovy, commit to posting 3-ish times a week. By putting yourself out there online, you’re letting your prospective customers know “Hey! I’m a real person!”, giving them the opportunity to connect with your whole deal (work, style, perspective, POV) and fall in love with you even more. And lastly, craft a good elevator pitch, so you have a bullet-proof impressive response when you get the dreaded question, “So… what do you do?” A fast and easy way to come up with yours? Fill in these blanks! “I’m a ______ who helps/works with _______ to (do) _______.”   Seriously â€" that’s it! The most important thing I can remind you of is that you’re looking for Phase 1 of your business: the bare minimum you need to get your name out there and start working! Everything else can come later â€" blogs, webinars , LLC status, and workbooks galore. But for now? Stick to what’s above and you’ll be claiming your Woman of the World crown right quick! If you’ve reached the bottom of this page and you’re thinking, “Geez… I feel like I CAN mess up this Can’t-Mess-It-Up Checklist…”, I can help! In fact, one sure-fire way to tackle your First Year of Entrepreneurship is to  Start Here! My programs will meet you where you are in your business-building journey, and together, we can get allll of the aforementioned sorted out. It really can be that clear (and oh so good)!

The Little-Known Secrets to Writing Resume in First Person

The Little-Known Secrets to Writing Resume in First Person Writing Resume in First Person and Writing Resume in First Person - The Perfect Combination Utilizing third-person writing can produce a huge difference in giving your essay the perfect tone. When writing a novel, authors should consider the type of tone they wish to portray before choosing which point of view they wish to use. Men and women approach essay writing in so many distinct ways. Excellent writing demands consistency in reference. To seem beautiful, you ought to be feeling fresh. Not just within the home, but in the schools too, it's essential to keep a good hygiene condition. The majority of when folks talk about themselves, they speak in the very first individual. Most people don't have any issue writing in the very first person viewpoint. Whispered Writing Resume in First Person Secrets Employers and recruiters are extremely busy people and expect to read a specific amount of content based on the kind of job they are hiring for. Job seekers often gravitate towards using first-person pronouns in their private profile. Before you write your full personal info, it's needed that you understand what you will do. Resumes never ought to be written in third individual. Whispered Writing Resume in First Person Secrets Given their tenure at work, job seekers over 40 are more inclined to provide a great deal of specific accomplishments. Minimum wage an hourly wage floor determined by the media have a price tag, but they appear to occur. It's apparent he understands the business ramifications of a strong superior program. Personal experience can play an extremely beneficial part in your philosophy papers, provided that you always explain to the reader the way the experience is connected to your argument. The Debate Over Writing Resume in First Person For the large part, biographies have a tendency to use the very first person point of view to inform the story. Write the story com pletely from your viewpoint, or from the standpoint of the character who's narrating the story. Writing the story from the point of view of your principal character can help you feel who they are better.