I’m a medical student and I lied on my resume.

I know it was wrong, but I felt pushed to the brink by the competition.

Here are some of the reasons why I did it:

• I felt like I needed to stand out in a sea of other applicants.

It’s no secret that it’s hard to make it in the world of medicine. So I felt I had to be better. In the end, I was. But it was because I fibbed.

• I was worried that my lack of experience would make me less competitive.

There are a lot of requirements in the world of medicine. When you don’t live up to expectations, you feel small. You don’t always make it.

• I thought that if I could just get my foot in the door, I could prove myself and make up for the lie.

It honestly feels like everyone does it these days. If you don’t do it, then you’re left behind. I know it’s wrong to think this way, but I did.

Here’s the truth about my situation. It’s less about me and it’s more about a field that makes people feel like they have to be better, the best. Sometimes, we have to lie to achieve that.

I’m taking ownership. I’m actually cleansing myself of this truth. I’m dedicated to making it better.

Here are some of my plans to right my wrong, though I’m happy to hear what the audience has to say, too. I know there are a lot of medical people here, and In thank you for your thoughts.

“I’m taking ownership.”

How I plan to make it right:

First and foremost, I plan to come clean about the lie. It’s better to admit it now then have it come out later. The harm’s already done, but it could be worse if I wait longer.

Take responsibility for my actions and apologize for any harm that I may have caused. This includes both the people that directly were affected by my lie as well as the people who were in on it. They carried my burden and that was unfair to them. I realize that now, in hindsight, though I did not realize it then.

Work hard to gain experience and skills through legitimate means, like taking part in volunteer work. I must admit that this wasn’t an option for me because I needed to make money up until this very point. But I also know the importance of putting money second in a field like medicine. It’s been hard for me to do this, given my background, so this certainly didn’t make matters easy.

I’m going to be honest in all of my future job resumes and interviews, from here on out. This won’t change the past, but it will certainly shape my future.

I’ll use this as a lesson and reminder that honesty is the best policy, and pass it on to anyone out there that will listen. This is my first step, right here in this forum, even if I can’t bring myself to outwardly admit who I am. 

I know what I did was wrong, and I regret it. But I’m 100% committed to making things right and living with integrity from here on out.