Interesting as this popped up on my recommended! Currently studying towards to become a genetic counsellor, probably wanting to specialise in medical mystery - if that even exist. :)
Thanks for watching! The great thing about this field is that there are SO many opportunities to specialize in different areas. Check out the Undiagnosed Disease Network - they are solving medical mysteries! undiagnosed.hms.harvard.edu
Here's what I cover in today's video: 0:36 What is a Genetic Counselor? 1:15 Why might you need to see a Genetic Counselor? 1:36 What happens during a Genetic Counseling appointment? 2:25 How can you prepare for your Genetic Counseling appointment? 3:16 How is genetic testing performed? 3:49 How can you find a Genetic Counselor?
I’m thinking about becoming a genetic counsellor I was wondering if you find it a rewarding/enjoyable job and if you recommend becoming one, also how do you deal with the emotional demands of the job and how does it affect you personally and emotionally, many thanks💛
I could not imagine loving something more than my day-to-day job! I love seeing patients and the amount of growth, learning, change, and opportunities that there are in this profession. I would highly recommend that anyone interested in Genetic Counseling shadow a Genetic Counselor for a while as well as get a lot of experience in counseling roles. Genetic Counselors can work in clinics, in labs, doing research, in private practice,in start-up companies, and see patients in-person or remotely by video/phone. There are so many specialties and sub-specialties. Depending on the specific roles a Genetic Counselor has it could definitely be a profession that takes an emotional toll but I think most Genetic Counselors learn to leave work at work so it doesn’t impact your personal life too heavily. This is a very supportive profession where you can find amazing colleagues! The National Society of Genetic Counselors and the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors are great resources for you to check out! Good luck!
Hi Rachel! What a wonderful video, very informative for those like me who have the desire to become Genetic Counselors. I really would appreciate tremendously if you could give me your opinion about my next questions. How feasible/likely would be for a PhD student focusing on research in breast cancer genetics and genomics to become a Genetic Counselor? That is my exact case. Would the PhD degree avoid the possibility to become a Genetic Counselor? Should I study an MSc in Genetic Counseling after graduating of my PhD? Would the PhD degree confer any advantage to become a Genetic Counseling? Or a disadvantage? Thank you very much in advance for spending time in reading my comment, and congratulations on your RUclips channel, and your great career.
Thank you so much for watching and thank you for your comment Jose! Applicants to GC programs comes from all kinds of academic backgrounds. I have a few friends who had masters or PhDs in genetics who then went on to become genetic counselors. I think most of them realized that they preferred patient interaction over benchwork. One of the best things your can do to prepare to apply to a GC program is start getting experience in counseling (for example, volunteering for a crisis line). Also, if you can, try to shadow some genetic counselors so you can get a good idea of the day-to-day work. Then, the combination of your academic background with your exposure to the profession and counseling, should make you a good applicant :). I think your work in breast cancer genetics/genomics would definitely be an advantage! Good luck!!
Very informative video. I learned a lot about genetic counseling
Interesting as this popped up on my recommended! Currently studying towards to become a genetic counsellor, probably wanting to specialise in medical mystery - if that even exist. :)
Thanks for watching! The great thing about this field is that there are SO many opportunities to specialize in different areas. Check out the Undiagnosed Disease Network - they are solving medical mysteries!
undiagnosed.hms.harvard.edu
@@CancerGC thank you for the link, it's so interesting! Also glad to hear that there are a lot of opportunities for speciality.
Ty!! For your videos
Thank you so much for watching and commenting ❤️
Here's what I cover in today's video:
0:36 What is a Genetic Counselor?
1:15 Why might you need to see a Genetic Counselor?
1:36 What happens during a Genetic Counseling appointment?
2:25 How can you prepare for your Genetic Counseling appointment?
3:16 How is genetic testing performed?
3:49 How can you find a Genetic Counselor?
I’m thinking about becoming a genetic counsellor I was wondering if you find it a rewarding/enjoyable job and if you recommend becoming one, also how do you deal with the emotional demands of the job and how does it affect you personally and emotionally, many thanks💛
I could not imagine loving something more than my day-to-day job! I love seeing patients and the amount of growth, learning, change, and opportunities that there are in this profession. I would highly recommend that anyone interested in Genetic Counseling shadow a Genetic Counselor for a while as well as get a lot of experience in counseling roles. Genetic Counselors can work in clinics, in labs, doing research, in private practice,in start-up companies, and see patients in-person or remotely by video/phone. There are so many specialties and sub-specialties. Depending on the specific roles a Genetic Counselor has it could definitely be a profession that takes an emotional toll but I think most Genetic Counselors learn to leave work at work so it doesn’t impact your personal life too heavily. This is a very supportive profession where you can find amazing colleagues! The National Society of Genetic Counselors and the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors are great resources for you to check out! Good luck!
Rachel Silva-Smith thank you!!!
Hi Rachel!
What a wonderful video, very informative for those like me who have the desire to become Genetic Counselors. I really would appreciate tremendously if you could give me your opinion about my next questions. How feasible/likely would be for a PhD student focusing on research in breast cancer genetics and genomics to become a Genetic Counselor? That is my exact case. Would the PhD degree avoid the possibility to become a Genetic Counselor? Should I study an MSc in Genetic Counseling after graduating of my PhD? Would the PhD degree confer any advantage to become a Genetic Counseling? Or a disadvantage?
Thank you very much in advance for spending time in reading my comment, and congratulations on your RUclips channel, and your great career.
Thank you so much for watching and thank you for your comment Jose! Applicants to GC programs comes from all kinds of academic backgrounds. I have a few friends who had masters or PhDs in genetics who then went on to become genetic counselors. I think most of them realized that they preferred patient interaction over benchwork. One of the best things your can do to prepare to apply to a GC program is start getting experience in counseling (for example, volunteering for a crisis line). Also, if you can, try to shadow some genetic counselors so you can get a good idea of the day-to-day work. Then, the combination of your academic background with your exposure to the profession and counseling, should make you a good applicant :). I think your work in breast cancer genetics/genomics would definitely be an advantage! Good luck!!