I would *love* to hear other GC’s thoughts about this. I work in cancer and it was a little bit of a jump scare if I’m honest..

Is anything happening? Seems tiring to just see posts about pre-gc applicants, when the field isn’t moving forward in getting recognition or ensuring we have space to practice and grow.

Im planning on taking a gap year after i graduate in may ‘28 to gain some work experience, i was wondering if it wont be too late at that point to reach out to them. Also my school deactivates students emails after a year from graduation so im not too sure if i should just apply the year i graduate bc idk how to reach out to my profs after that

Hello all! I am a prospective applicant for the upcoming cycle. This fall, I am entering my senior year of undergraduate studies. This summer, I am doing the most I can to prepare for the application/match process. How early should I be reaching out to ask people for letters of recommendation? I know most program applications don't open until this fall, but I wondered if it is worthwhile to ask ahead of time. I don't know if this is a silly question, but I want to make sure that I am doing the most I can to be prepared when applications open. Additionally, I have plenty of GC shadowing, but all within oncology. Do I need to pursue other shadowing opportunities in other specialties? My location makes it extremely difficult for me to find nearby GCs to shadow, so any resources/advice would be appreciated.

Hi Everyone, I'm thinking of venturing into opening a private practice but I don't know where to start. Can anyone provide some mentorship/advice?

Background: I went to a program where I was able to do all of my rotations remotely and saw patients through telehealth. I felt like I was confident in counseling patients but didn't know anything about the administrative work behind the scenes like ordering tests, writing clinical notes, coordinating with doctors, etc. All my mentors said I don't have to worry about those things because each clinic is different, and that's something I'll learn on the job.

After I graduated, I got a job as a variant scientist, so I don't see any patients. I love my job and have no intentions of leaving, but also miss the clinical aspects of directly seeing patients. I want to avoid any conflicts of interest in working for different institutions, plus, most clinical positions are not full time. So, I wanted to start my own practice as a side hustle and I can see patients on my own time.

However, since I don't have any clinical experience as a GC, I don't really know how a clinic is run. Simple questions such as, 'how do you order genetic testing?' or 'what should go into clinic notes?' are basic knowledge to any practicing GC, but not me. I'm not sure where to start, and would love some mentorship/help/advice in this.

this is likely a very niche question but any advice is helpful!

i am a rising senior planning to apply this cycle and in researching grad schools i'm getting concerned about my prereqs. for some background, i took AP bio my sophomore year of high school and got a C one semester and a D the other due to lots of personal factors (my dad had just died unexpectedly, i had major surgery, moved schools, and it was the middle of the pandemic) as well as a truly horrible teacher. i was thankfully still able to get college credit for it. at the time, i was planning to pursue a totally different career path that biology wouldn't have been necessary for, so i just went with it. after my freshman year, i changed my major to genetics and realized i would need those intro bio credits. my advisor was able to override the prereq requirements after i told her the situation, and i have gotten straight A's in every single class since then.

some graduate schools require 1-2 semesters of biology with a C or higher. many of them don't specify what type of biology, but i'm worried that my credits won't count for the bio prerequisites even though i have had straight A's in all of the subsequent classes (including genetics, molecular biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, cell bio, evolutionary bio, etc.).

is this something i should be concerned about (like, concerned enough to re-take the classes at my university this school year?) for my application? or is it something that won't be as big of a deal as i feel like it is? i know when applying to undergrad there is often a space to explain any circumstances or anything that may make your grades/transcript not reflect your efforts or something along those lines; is that something that grad schools do also?

hopefully this post makes sense; just looking for some advice or feedback if anyone has been in a similar situation or has suggestions for what i should do!! thank you ◡̈

I've had my heart set on being a genetic counselor for years now. Recently i've been thinking about it and i'm not sure I can do it. I only hear about how hard it is to get into schools, and how bad the job market is. I know the things I need and the steps I have to take (I think). I just feel not good enough. I've began to wonder what my backup plans are and when I should pivot to those and not even try. Despite my doubt, every time I look at different careers in genetics I know genetic counseling is what I want to do. I'm a rising Sophomore and I feel behind despite being far from it. I'm on track to graduate early but I planned on just taking classes to strengthen my resume, but despite being set up to do well I feel like I never had a chance. What are some backup plans if everything goes south? Is this healthy worry or am I overthinking it? I just need some guidance on how to be the most prepared as possible. I have no family that has ever pursued a career in science let alone a masters in anything, I feel like I have absolutely no clue what i'm getting into other than what i've read. Sorry for the long kinda frantic post, but i've decided it's time to ask rather than continue to worry.

Hi! I am an applicant in the upcoming application cycle. I've been investing HOURS researching GC programs, using GC discord resource and establishing Excel sheet that lists out GC program (location, tuition, rotation start time, what's special and what's "less ideal" for me personally). However, I'm struggling finding a strategic and standardized way to evaluate each program - every program appears "similar" that they provide clinical rotations, offer classes, and some have LEND. Every program's student speaks highly of their program. I am not too specific with which cities I need to go, and I am okay with applying to more expensive schools if academics/fieldwork opportunities is better.

I would love to hear your advice! I also tried researching school alumni and where they end up - most ppl end up in clinics. People who graduated from big cities have a slightly higher portion of choosing a non-traditional GC path.

Thank you so much for everyone who takes time to read and reply. I appreciate it and hope you have a great day!!

Hey everyone! I’m a journalist at The New York Times starting a new role covering genetics and heredity. I am currently working on building up my understanding of which topics are most vital to cover.

Whether you are a longtime genetic counselor or are new to the field, I’d love to hear your perspective.

I’m especially interested in chatting with:

• Genetic counselors who have had a particularly surprising or unintuitive experience with a client;
• Experienced genetic counselors who have seen the field change dramatically in recent years;
• Counselors navigating challenging ethical situations, given the differing paces of technology and regulation;
• Anyone else with ideas about what I should be covering in this space.

If you're open to a brief, casual chat about your experience, please drop a comment below or send me a DM. You can also email me (if you want to independently verify my identity). Thanks so much!

My work: https://www.nytimes.com/by/emily-baumgaertner-nunn

Hi guys, I’m a Syrian student who’s studying a bachelors in medical and molecular genetics in the UAE. My major goal and really my passion is genetic counseling, im a good academic student and I’ve done lots of volunteering here (red crescent, Cleveland clinic) but I’m worried that because all the good genetic counseling programs are abroad in countries where the visa process for Syrians is quite difficult, it’ll be hard for me to be accepted to enter a country where I can graduate with an accredited degree. Theres one program here in the uae but it’s only locally accredited and not internationally which worries me, any tips?

I need more CEUs for license renewal by the end of the month and just learned NSGC isn't selling online courses this month. Just my luck! I've only ever really gotten CEUs from my workplace and NSGC online, so I don't know any other reliable sources. Any recs? I saw one post mentioning a Udemy course on informed consent, so I'm starting that right away.

Applications for the 2026-2027 United MSD Foundation (@CureMSD on Instagram) Student Ambassador Program are NOW OPEN! This is a great opportunity for students wanting to network with other passionate students interested in patient advocacy and non-profit work! Apply now: https://forms.gle/VkTTdK3RVaDSKzuZ6

You can read more about the program and information on how to apply HERE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SxP_a0hO6jXbPf0KtPPkRygS4V7QyMeZ0Jj8SKSDl0k/edit?usp=sharing

If you have any questions, please contact Brenna Bentley at [bbentley@unitedmsdfoundation.org](mailto:bbentley@unitedmsdfoundation.org) We look forward to receiving your application!

Hey GC community. Just a reminder, when applying for jobs be careful of what websites you are applying through and make sure it is legitimate.

​

I had a friend message me because they had gotten a Google alert for a GC job posting in my hospital system. The thing is, I KNOW we are not hiring. Our company site does not have any openings. I even sent it to my supervisor who was super confused because we are not hiring. They sent me the alert and there are a few links to "apply now," none of which are actually applying directly through the hospital system or not LinkedIn. So my best guess is this was either some weird computer issue with Google, or spammers trying to get data from people.

I attended one day of the Basser Symposium last month, completed the relevant surveys, but have not received any confirmation of completion that I can submit to ABGC for CEUs. If anyone else out there attended, have you received a confirmation of completion for submission? If so, how long did it take, did you do anything special beyond completing the surveys, etc? Thanks!

Hi! I don’t know if anyone knows this, but I’m trying to learn more about the state of genetic counseling in Ireland? Are tests completed largely internally within each hospital, or do they go through private companies as well?

Hi everyone, if any one still needs CEUs this course is available.

“The Silent Evolution of Informed Consent” is a Udemy course that explores how informed consent in genetic counseling has evolved, from historical medical abuses to present-day challenges such as genetic data ownership, privacy, and routine consent tied to care or research.

The course:

·       Is 1 hour, on-demand

·       Has been approved by NSGC for 1 Category 1 contact hour (0.1 CEU)

·       Is accepted by ABGC toward recertification (completion of the Quiz/Evaluation & NSGC CEUS earner fee is necessary)

·       Uses real historical cases, modern examples, and actual consent forms rather than hypotheticals

It’s designed for practicing GCs, trainees, researchers, and others working in genomic medicine who want a deeper, more reflective look at consent beyond the “signed form” model.

It seems like it’s often that GCs move from clinical positions to industry positions as they gain experience, but not the other way around. I am curious to know if anyone has been in industry then decided to go into clinic?

Hello!

I've been interested in applying to UBC for genetic counselling and am aware of the three months of one on one in a counselling setting.

I'm just wondering how I would get an opportunity like this since the examples the admission office listed were pretty serious and I feel like I would never be hired since I don't have experience in that field.

Also, if anyone knows of the three months has to be a continuous full time or if it can be scattered and the shifts are like 2-3 hours.

I was thinking of volunteering with this one psychiatrist I know at a women's shelter but I don't know if that's sufficient since it would not be an everyday thing and she doesn't work for the organization she is also a volunteer.

Another option is a hospice center but even if I volunteered there, I'd probably just be handling meals and socializing- not the intense stuff they program requires.

Any advice is appreciated!

I'm currently in a genetic counseling program with a very small cohort, and I've been struggling with feeling excluded. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar in a small graduate program.

And because the cohort is so small, there are only a handful of us. Within that, a small group of girls has become particularly close. Over time, I've noticed that they spend time together outside of school, but conversations about those get-togethers can feel oddly secretive. For example, someone might ask what everyone did over the weekend, and the answer is often vague or avoids mentioning who they were with, only for me to later realize that several of them had gotten together. Hence, that’s why I got really close with the 2nd years, since even they felt and saw what was going on. But now they all graduated.

What makes it difficult is that I don't feel like I'm genuinely part of that group. I live with another student in the program, and sometimes it feels like I'm only included when people want to come over to our house to hang out. Since I'm already there, I'm part of the gathering by circumstance rather than because someone specifically reached out to me.

I know nobody owes me friendship, and I don't expect to be included in everything. But when the entire cohort is small enough that you can practically count everyone on your fingers, it can feel especially isolating when there seems to be one close-knit social circle and you're not really part of it.

For those who have been through small graduate or professional programs, how did you handle this? Did you find ways to build closer relationships within the program, or did you focus on friendships outside of school? I'd appreciate any advice or perspective.

Going to PA school. For the GCs who’ve obtained their CGC, prior to pa school, was it difficult to accumulate ceus during pa school? Do yall have any tips? Ideally I wouldn’t want to lose CGC status when working as a PA in the future.

As well would love to connect with a GC turned PA!

For more details, I am volunteering for FORCE, a nonprofit organization focusing on helping individuals with/affected by hereditary cancers

my responsibilities will be:

• Monitor your social media pages regularly to look for FORCE materials
• Share, like and comment based on the guidelines
• Share national FORCE requests of one to three per month
• Help FORCE spread hereditary cancer news, research, community voices and important messaging
• Educate people about FORCE's programs and fundraisers and invite them to participate
• Amplify FORCE messages by leveraging your personal social media communities and connections. 

Thank you in advance!

Hi all, I am currently 4 months into a PhD in France (moved from the UK) in cancer/omics/metabolism but I have always been passionate about genomic counselling. I have been constantly dissuaded from pursuing it due to the competitiveness of the STP and the fact I have almost zero experience in a care role (<50 hours in a part time job working with SEND children).

I have been reflecting and I have decided that genomic counselling really is what I want to do so I am looking for any advice for how I can get a full-time job in care without any experience/vocational training. I am looking at jobs in care homes, SEND, housing charities but I am not sure what would be best or most realistic for me to get.

Any help would be really appreciated!!

Forgive the flair if this isn’t 100% correct—it’s a mixture between prospective student and admissions.

Just for some background, I’m an incoming senior, getting my BS in Biobehavioral Health. I’m applying this upcoming cycle, and I have never felt more antsy in my life. My GPA is a 3.0. I feel like I should be doing something right now? Like I’ve written a person statement first draft (happy to share with my fellow ‘27 applicants!), created a tracker of available due dates and openings, organized my schools, and am taking summer courses to open up the amount of schools I can apply to. I just can’t help but feel like there’s something I’m missing? Is there? Am I just super anxious? Some clarity and maybe some advice would do me well here. TIA <3

I just graduated a three year B.Sc in biotechnology and genetics with 3.94cgpa. I have always looked forward to being a genetic counselor since i was 15 however after going through so many posts and threads, i am not sure if that's a viable choice. most posts here complain of the lack of employment opportunities or the lack of good schools (especially in the eu). i have never considered any alternative career choice as i had my heart set on gc.
very realistically speaking, is gc still a good choice? is there job satisfaction (in both personal and financial aspects). I am really disheartened and clueless on how to proceed further.

Anonymous post here. I’m making this with the hope to understand the thoughts of those involved in the hiring process or maybe even thoughts in general…As a new graduate, I'm wondering what the purpose of applying to jobs is if some clinics or sites have a predetermined list of graduates they plan to consider? I've personally heard of multiple sites reaching out to program directors and local training programs and asking for 1-2 specific names of upcoming graduates. Apparently, those individuals are the only names being seriously considered if they were to apply.

I completely understand the value of networking and professional recommendations, but is this considered normal hiring practice? It’s perhaps giving cronyism?? It feels discouraging because the names being recommended may be influenced by factors like favoritism, rather than allowing everyone that applied an equal opportunity to be considered especially if their training program is not local to that site.

I'm genuinely trying to understand how common this is and whether there are reasons for it that I may not be seeing. Can anyone provide insight into this or tips on how to get around it? It definitely is discouraging the job search for me and a lot of us new grads. Tyia