Rejecting Rejection: The Positives of Being Told ‘No’

By Kassander Thompson, BA

Whether you’re applying to undergraduate or graduate school, a fellowship, an externship, or a job – rejection is an inevitable part of the application process. We have all been there (believe me). Relax, take a deep breath, and keep reading to learn how to make the best of this situation.

If you are experiencing rejection between your undergraduate and graduate degrees, taking time off from school can benefit your resume and your overall mental health. Taking time to experience the world outside of academia helps build interpersonal skills, gives you a larger perspective, and gives you time to think about your goals and how you want to achieve them.

Rashid & Kibble (2021) used semi-structured interviews to explore a growing trend amongst medical students – intentionally taking a gap year between their undergraduate and graduate studies. Overall, they were able to identify three main benefits to taking a gap year: students were better able to manage stress and burnout due to increased adaptability and resilience, they had time to gain real-world experience that later informed their approach to patient-centered care, and they were ultimately able to revitalize their motivation for continuing their studies.

While those applying to externships, fellowships, or jobs may not be in the position to take a gap year, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take time to reflect on your experience with rejection and use it to propel you forward in your career! An article from the Harvard Business Review (Lyons, 2022) outlines a few ways to reframe the situation and utilize any feedback you’ve been given. First, remember that this is one placement or job, and many other opportunities remain available to you – you may even find an opportunity that is better suited to your personality and interests. Second, stay focused on what is important to you. Rejection can often make us feel like we should accept any offer we receive.Check in with yourself to ensure that any decisions you make align with your goals. You’re looking for a place that will aid your professional growth! Lastly, know that each interview will help prepare you for the next one. In our clinical practice as students, we know that each appointment isn’t just a pass/fail; it’s an opportunity for us to learn and then apply what we learned to be better in our next appointment. The interview process is no different – learn what you can and use that information to help you as you continue looking for your next position.

Here are some more helpful articles from the Academy:

• Using HEARCareers for Your Externship Search
• The National SAA Externship Guide
• Resume Resources
• Pre and Post Interview Assessments
• Externship Process Do’s and Don’ts: from a Recent Applicant
• New Audiologist Resources
• Applying to Your First Job in Audiology Packet
• How to Ace that Job Interview

References

Rashid, H., & Kibble, J. (2021). Understanding Reasons for Electing Gap Years Between Undergraduate Education and Medical School and the Perceived Impact of Gap Years on the Student Experience of Medical Education: An Interview Study. The FASEB Journal, 35.

Lyons, M. (2022, October 24). Job rejection doesn’t have to sting. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2022/10/job-rejection-doesnt-have-to-sting