Class of 2021
Why did you decide to pursue a career in genetic counselling?
During my undergraduate degree, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. I was specifically drawn to genetic counselling because of the opportunity to provide direct patient care, with a particular focus on psychosocial counselling and education. I love that I can put on many “hats” in my job, where I can teach people genetics knowledge and information, provide emotional support for patients and families, and challenge myself in a field that always has something new for me to learn. Plus, I had always thought genetics was fascinating, so it was the perfect blend between my interests.
How did you hear about genetic counselling?
I learned about genetic counselling in my undergraduate program. We had a class where we learned about different post-graduate programs, and this was the first time I’d ever heard about genetic counselling. After I read a description about it on UBC’s website, I knew immediately it was the right path for me – it aligned perfectly with both my interests and skills!
What attracted you to UBC’s two-year Genetic Counselling Program?
UBC’s Genetic Counselling Program is the biggest program in Canada, and is home to many incredible alumni that I was able to meet prior to joining the program myself. I shadowed several genetic counsellors who were alumni to the program, both in the clinical and research areas. I was really impressed with the way they interacted with their patients and their ability to discuss complex genetics topics with their patients. Genetic counselling research is also particularly strong at UBC, with many genetic counsellors and students conducting meaningful studies and publishing important articles specifically within our field. Collectively, this gave me the impression that UBC’s program has a strong reputation for training competent and multi-faceted genetic counsellors. In addition, UBC’s program has a strong clinical focus that allows for hands-on work very early on; as somebody who values experiential learning, this was an attractive aspect of the program.
How did you prepare for the application process and interviews?
I prepared for the application process by seeking opportunities to learn more about genetic counselling. I volunteered at genetic counselling clinics and reached out to genetic counsellors to request for opportunities to shadow them in appointments. I also interviewed some genetic counsellors to gain a stronger understanding of their experience in their programs, as well as in their careers. I continued to volunteer in the community in roles where I could interact with others or provide patient care. These experiences were valuable for my personal learning and helpful for a strong application. I also took additional genetics courses to strengthen my educational background and ensure I met the necessary prerequisites.
For the interview, I asked friends and family to practice with me. I also recorded myself so that I could try and listen to myself from a third-party perspective! Getting comfortable with answering questions on the spot and identifying areas where I could improve my communication were both important areas for me to work on in preparation for the interview.
What’s one piece of advice you would offer to prospective applicants interested in joining UBC’s program?
Get to know the program! There are many programs across North America, and each one is unique in set-up, clinical experience, classroom experience, and culture. If you are interested in UBC’s program, take the time to speak to people who graduated from the program and the program directors. Find out if what UBC has to offer aligns with what you are hoping for from a program. Getting a strong idea of what genetic counselling is and what the UBC program is like is important for ensuring you are pursuing the right thing for yourself, and can be helpful for your application too.
What did a ‘typical day’ look like during your second year in the program?
A typical day in the second year was often filled with clinical work. This ranged from preparing for an upcoming appointment with a patient, to having a full day of patient encounters, to completing the follow-up work from a previous patient encounter. When I wasn’t seeing patients in the clinic, I was in the office working away on some sort of clinical work. Some days were sprinkled with participant interviews for my research project and assignments for our didactic courses as well. Most importantly, a typical day in second year involved lots of laughing and chatting with my classmates in between work!
Looking back, what was the biggest highlight from your time in the program?
The biggest highlight was undoubtedly my cohort. We were a very tightknit group of 6 who supported each other through early mornings and late nights, challenging cases and imminent deadlines. It was really comforting to have a group of people who understood exactly what challenges I was encountering and could empathize completely. They supported me through emotional days and brainstormed with me when I couldn’t figure out a genetics problem. We spent a lot of time together, both working and having fun! When someone asks me about the program, I always immediately think about these brilliant friends and now-colleagues that I was lucky to meet during my time there.
What are you doing now?
I am a board-certified clinical genetic counsellor practicing in cardiovascular genetics at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC.
How did UBC’s Genetic Counselling Program prepare you for your current role?
UBC’s Genetic Counselling Program played a direct role in my interest in cardiac genetics. One of my very first clinical rotations was at St. Paul’s in cardiac genetics, and I loved it. I was very lucky that I got to rotate through this clinic (not everyone does!), because that was how I learned about the complexity of genetics in cardiology, as well as the unique patient population and counselling considerations. It was also how I learned that I was very interested in this specialty. This rotation, along with cardiac genetics lectures, helped build the necessary foundational knowledge as well.
In general, the program prepared me to practice as an independent genetic counsellor. Our classes and clinical rotations were excellent in providing a solid foundation in genetics and genetic counselling. They set me up to apply basic skills across different areas and for different indications. The ample amount of clinical experience was also useful in understanding needs for a diverse range of patients.
