When deciding upon the Genetic Counselor career were you more interested in the research and application of knowledge or the counseling aspect?

Virtually all GCs desire close patient interaction over a primarily research role--this is why they became GCs rather than PhD/MS/BS level researchers. That said, GCs currently have many options available including roles in prenatal clinics, pediatric clinics and cancer clinics as well as lab based liasion or marketing positions or solely research and data interpreting roles. Some GCs transition to different roles as their career progresses and some will take on a joint research/clinical role, such as counseling those who are seeking research level genetic services. Each role requires a different degree of counseling skill and technical genetic knowledge although all involve the GC having a clear understanding of how genetics works and, as needed, the abilty to assess how a prior genetic study impacts the current situation. For instance, say a couple has an affected child and is coming to discuss possible recurrence during the next pregnacy; the GC's role is to assess the child's prior results and see if and how that diagnosis translates into a chance for recurrence. Was a diagnosis actually made--sometimes families misunderstand what they were told previously. Is the previous interpretation of the child's data still accurate--sometimes new research overrides previous results. What kind of testing is the family interested in, if any--perhaps to better define the child's conditon or for possible recurrence of the same condition or for a different condition. (There are families who have different children with different genetic conditions) Do they want prenatal testing or newborn testing-are they interested in preconceptual options to avoid an affected conception as best possible, is abortion as an option for an affected pregnancy or are they mostly interested in knowing as soon as possible if they should prepare for another affected child? Similar issues will arise for other GC clinical or research positions: what is the known history, how does it relate to this specific person and what testing/medical options are appropriate? What role would you see yourself most comfortable with for these famiies? Pulling it all together and talking with the family about everything--consider GC or even MD. Data analysis only--consider a PhD or genetic technologist position.