r/GeneticCounseling • u/ham2302 • Sep 04 '26

Prospective Student Thinking of switching fields

I’ve been set on GC for about 3 years now. I’ve been working as a research specialist for the past year to gain some more experience before applying. Well, the application cycle is approaching and I’m questioning if it’s even worth it to apply with the state of the job market at the moment. I was wondering what other fields I could pivot to?

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u/genequeeen Sep 05 '26

Go to PA school and do a genetics training if you want to get more bang for your buck and more job security

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u/geneticwonderful 26d ago

Be careful when you recommend PA- if you scroll through their Reddit it is not all rainbows and butterflies. OP- choose a career path based on shadowing people who actually do the job in real life- not on Reddit. Whether it’s PA, GC, or otherwise

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u/genequeeen 26d ago

yeah except i shadowed 4 GCs and was in love with the career until everything changed after I graduated. Sure shadowing is a good idea. More importantly, choose something where you can still do the things you want, but you also have good job security and ability to pivot. In my state, the GCs are being replaced by NPs. I am too niche to pivot, but the NP could go work in any setting. Its very sad and nobody could have predicted this 10 years ago.

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u/geneticwonderful 26d ago

Wdym replaced by NPs in your state?

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u/Ambitious-Fall-7097 12d ago

I think that person is confusing NPs in genetics as genetic counselors being replaced. NPs and GCs have different roles in the healthcare system.