Is Genetic Counseling Right For You?

Do you...love science and genetics, but hate being in a lab?
Do you...want to be in a career where you work directly with others?
Do you...enjoy helping people?
Are you...passionate about education?
Do you...have good interpersonal skills?
Are you...compassionate and empathetic and want to be in a career that emphasizes those traits?

If you answered, "yes" to many of these questions, genetic counseling may be the right fit for you! The best way to decide if you want to go into genetic counseling is by learning more about the profession and gaining shadowing experience.

Source: Genomes To People

Shadowing Genetic Counselors:

The best way to really get a "feel" for genetic counseling is by shadowing practicing genetic counselors! If you end up applying to a Masters program, they usually want to see that you have shadowing experience/exposure to genetic counseling, so it's good to get a start early!

To find genetic counselors, check out the NSGC search engine (link below.) You can filter for genetic counselors in your area or by specialty. If you live near a university with a genetic counseling program, you may want to contact the program director. Often, they will arrange shadowing opportunities for interested students. This was the case for me as an undergrad at the University of Michigan. 

If you do live near a city that has a genetic counseling program, be aware that there may not be as many shadowing opportunities during the year while current students are doing their clinical rotations! It's best to try to shadow in the summer if that is the case. 

https://www.nsgc.org/page/student_physician-contact

Reach out to genetic counselors by their e-mails (listed in the NSGC search) and don't be discouraged if you don't hear back from everyone. Sometimes, you may not receive a response or the genetic counselor will tell you that they are unable to have students shadow with them based on hospital policies, availability, etc. 

Keep your e-mails professional and try not to send the same generic e-mail. For example, if you're e-mailing a prenatal genetic counselor, express your interest in prenatal genetics. 

If you live in an area with few genetic counselors and are unable to shadow in-person, reach out and ask genetic counselors if they'd be willing to do an "informational interview" where you can learn more about genetic counseling, their job, and what they do. You can also learn more through the resources listed below or by taking one of the online courses offered by Cincinnati and the University of South Carolina. Universities often offer open-houses, where you can learn about their program and about genetic counseling. Additionally, NSGC hosts a conference every year and within that conference, have a session for prospective genetic counseling students, so be on the look-out for that! The location changes every year. 

Resources for Learning About/Exploring Genetic Counseling:

Videos/Movies

• Gattica
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
• The Gene Doctors
• Master Genetic Counselor Series (sample genetic counseling sessions)
• https://www.nsgc.org/page/prospective-applicant-master-genetic-counselor-series

Podcasts:

• Patient Stories with Grey Genetics
• DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast
• The Beagle Has Landed
• Naked Genetics
• Demystifying Genetics

Books:

• Genetic Rounds by Robert Marion

• Carrier by Bonnie Rough

• Pretty Is What Changes: Impossible Choices, The Breast Cancer Gene, and How I Defied my Destiny by Jessica Queller

• Choosing Naia by Mitchell Zuckoff

• Far From the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity by Andrew Solomon

• The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman

• Telling Genes by Alexandra Stern

• Anybody's Miracle by Laura Hercher

• Early Warning: Cases and Ethical Guidance for Presymptomatic Testing in Genetic Diseases (Medical Ethics) by David H. Smith et al. 

• The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee

• The Language of Life by Francis Collins

• Genome by Matt Ridley

• Mutants by Armand Leroi

• DNA is Not Destiny by Steven Heine

• The Sports Gene by David Epstein

• Is Science Racist (Debating Race) by Jonathan Marks

• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Thank you to the members of Discord for many of these suggestions! Discord is an app, where you can connect with current genetic counseling students, genetic counseling applicants, and other prospective genetic counselors. 

Discord: https://discordapp.com/invite/Q4Nb8D5

Online Courses:

Cincinnati: Genetic Counseling Case Series

https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/education/clinical/graduate/grad/genetic-counseling/online-ceu-courses/courses-offered

University of South Carolina: Genetic Counseling Online Course

https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/medicine/education/graduate_programs/genetic_counseling/preparing_for_graduate_school/genetic_counseling_online_course/index.php